Author(s)

Daiane Einhardt Blank^*, Danize Justen, Sara Fraga, Carlos Roberto Peixoto, Neusa Fernandes de Moura

Natural Products Research Group, Federal University of Rio Grande, Santo Antônio da Patrulha, Brazil.

Bunchosia glandulifera belongs to the family Malpighiaceae and is popularly known as “caferana” in the city of Santo Antonio da Patrulha. The fruits have a high economic value and their inclusion in the diet has health benefits. They are natural sources of antioxidants because of the presence of bioactive compounds. However, their chemical composition can be influenced by the maturation process. This study aims to evaluate the changes in the bioactive antioxidant compounds in the pulp and seeds of B. glandulifera fruit during different stages of ripening. The fruits, were analyzed for caffeine, carotenoids, flavonoids, vitamin C, and total phenolic content as well as for antioxidant activity, at four different stages of ripening. An increase in bioactive compounds was observed from the second maturation stage to the ripened fruit, and the ripened fruit had the highest bioactive compound content. Phenolic compound and carotenoid levels were found to be highest in the pulp. Carotenoid content showed a positive correlation with the antioxidant activity. Colorimetric analysis also showed a high correlation between the levels of carotenoids and color change during the ripening stages.

Bunchosia glandulifera, Ripening Stages, Caffeine, Carotenoids, Flavonoids, Antioxidant Activity, Vitamin C, Phenolic Content

Blank, D. , Justen, D. , Fraga, S. , Peixoto, C. and Moura, N. (2018) Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Bunchosia glandulifera Fruit at Different Ripening Stages. Food and Nutrition Sciences, 9, 1147-1159. doi: 10.4236/fns.2018.910083.