Cupuacu (Theobroma grandiflorum Schum) is a native fruit from northern Brazil with great economic potential. Its productive chain is currently sustained by the pulp market. The seed, treated as a by-product of the pulp industrialization, presents considerably protein content. However, very little or nothing is known on its eletrophoretic profile and amino acids, the main protein fractions and alterations due to the fermentation and toasting. The objective of this study was to characterize protein changes in cupuacu seeds, fermented beans, and roasted beans, through the analysis of the electrophoresis profiles, aminograms, and protein fractionations based on solubility. Fermentation and roasting promoted a slight reduction in the total protein and amino acid contents. The seeds and fermented beans presented four main protein bands with 15.5, 20.4, 27.1, and 33.6 kDa. The beans submitted to fermentation followed by roasting presented only one strong protein band with an apparent molecular weight of 21.0 kDa. The extractions for protein fractionation based on solubility did not result in pure protein fractions. Four main bands were observed in all isolated protein fractions. The 21.1 kDa band was predominant in all cases. This band is apparently very similar to the albumin fraction of cocoa, whose apparent molecular weight is 21.3 kDa.
protein fractions; amino acid; electrophoresis
