Conteúdo polifenólico e atividade antioxidante dos frutos da palmeira Juçara (Euterpe edulis Martius)

Abstract

The polyphenolic content and the antioxidant activity of Euterpe edulis Martius fruit extract were assessed. This species is a Palm tree known as Juçara, native to Atlantic Forest and used for palm heart extraction. The process of palm heart extraction leads to the death of the plant since the latter has one single stem. The high demand has resulted in the depletion of this natural resource. Many species from Atlantic Forest can be used by means of sustainable management for the preservation and economic exploration by local communities. The fruit of Juçara palm can be one of the sustainable management alternatives for the Atlantic Forest natural resources. The antioxidant capacity of this fruit can justify its application as nutritional food. The fruit polyphenolic content was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteau method and the obtained results were: 10.31 ± 0.25%, 12.42 ± 0.89%, 12.75 ± 0.94% for crude extract, acetyl acetate and remaining fractions, respectively. The antioxidant capacity was determined through the phosphomolybdenium complex and DPPH methods. The crude extract and the acetyl acetate and remaining fractions showed antioxidant activity, and the latter two showed higher activity, indicating that polyphenolic content may be responsible for this activity.