Compostos bioativos e capacidade antioxidante em frutos de juazeiro armazenados sob temperatura controlada.

Abstract

The fruits of juazeiro are known especially for their high content of vitamin C. However, recent studies indicate the presence of bioactive substances in its composition. These substances act in the prevention of diseases, a fact that can motivate the consumption and industrialization of the fruits of juazeiro. This paper aimed to evaluate the bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of juazeiro fruits stored under controlled room temperature. The fruits were harvested from a plant located at the Federal University of Campina Grande, Pombal/PB campus. After selection, classification, soil removal, stem removal and packaging, the fruits were submitted to storage at controlled room temperature (24.5 ± 0.5 °C and 33.5 ± 0.5% RH) for 4 days. The physical characteristics (loss of mass, fresh mass, length, thickness, yield, firmness, color and humidity), the physical-chemical characteristics (titratable acidity, pH, soluble solids, soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio, total and reducing soluble sugar), bioactive compounds (Chlorophyll, carotenoids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, anthocyanins and ascorbic acid), and antioxidant capacity (antioxidant capacity by capturing ABTS•+ free radical) were analyzed in all storage days. The storage did not affect in great proportions the majority of the characteristics studied in this research. The fruits of juazeiro present a high amount of bioactive compounds and high antioxidant capacity, demonstrating that, in addition to satisfying hunger, fruits can bring health benefits, such as the prevention of numerous diseases, making important their participation in the human diet, either in natural or industrialized.