Review of literature: carotenoids, chemical composition and dietary reference intake of buriti fruits

Abstract

Although fruits and vegetables, sources of carotenoids, are widely available in Brazil, hypovitaminosis A constitutes a serious public health problem. There is lack of information available to the population about the dietary sources of carotenoids and factors affecting their bioavailability.The carotenoids also known as bioactive compounds have been associated with the reduction of the risk for degenerative diseases, such as cancer (modulators of immunological responses), cardiovascular diseases, macular degeneration and cataract.In Brazil the utilization of buriti fruit is not widespread; it is consumed only by the local population of some parts of the North and Central regions. Among those foods, out the foods of buritizeiro, the buriti has the highest content of β-carotene among the numerous foods already analyzed, as well as a source of oleic fatty acid, similar to olive oil.The buriti fruit provides the needs of DRI.s (Dietary Reference Intake) of vitamin A for adult, being a good source of nutrition, knowing the variety of foods that composes a balanced diet. Also, the buriti fruit is a natural source of β-carotene (provitamin A). Also, it has antioxidant power by having carotenoids, polyphenols, vitamin C compared to other vegetables, can be considered a functional food.