Bioactive compounds and physicochemical characteristics of in natura and pasteurized araticum pulp

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant potential and the phenolic compound and carotenoid contents of in natura and pasteurized araticum pulp, and evaluate the effect of pasteurization on the physicochemical characteristics. The in natura araticum pulp was acquired in Aragarças/GO, Brazil and divided into two portions: in natura and pasteurized pulp. The pulps were analysed in triplicate in relation to the variables: pH, titratable acidity, vitamin C, soluble solids, water activity, colour, radical antioxidant activity, phenolic and carotenoid compounds, as well as the proximate composition of the pasteurized pulp. The in natura pulp presented 0.98 of water activity and 9.57 °Brix of soluble solids, however the pasteurized pulp showed values of 0.99 and 9.23 °Brix for water activity and soluble solids, respectively. The results showed that the pulp had significant antioxidant properties, expressed as the ability to reduce the DPPH value by 50% (IC₅₀ mg/ml). With respect to the phenolic compounds, both presented similar values of 227.13 and 207.18 mg GAE/100 g of in natura and pasteurized pulps, respectively. The pasteurized pulp presented 8.21 µg/g of β-carotene and 4.97 µg/g of α-carotene. It was concluded that the pulps analysed presented high contents of bioactive compounds and that pasteurization did not affect the physicochemical characteristics or bioactive compounds of the in natura pulp.

Keywords:
Marolo; Heat treatment; Fruit of the Cerrado; Annona crassiflora