Bioactive compounds of Eugenia punicifolia fruits: a rich source of lycopene

Compostos bioativos de frutos de Eugenia punicifolia: uma rica fonte de licopeno

Abstract

This work aimed to characterize some of the bioactive compounds of Eugenia punicifolia (Kunth) DC. fruit to enhance the knowledge of its functional potential. Ripe fruits were collected from the restinga of Maricá, in the state of Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil. Bioactive compounds were analyzed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Ascorbic acid (74.14 mg 100^-1 g^-1), lycopene (504 µg g^-1) and total carotenoids (632 µg g^-1) contents were superior to other fruits rich in these compounds. In fact, E. punicifolia fruits are an excellent source of carotenoids and can be considered a good source of ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Furthermore, its chemical composition has presented phenolic compounds like gallic acid and anthocyanins. Thus, this underutilized Brazilian fruit stands out as a source of bioactive compounds, presenting a good potential as a functional food, especially due to the high content of lycopene.

Keywords:
Myrtaceae; Carotenoid; Phenolic acid; Ascorbic acid; Lycopene; HPLC-PDA; Pigments

Highlights

E. punicifolia fruits are a richer source of carotenoids than tomatoes and their products

E. punicifolia is an underutilized species with the potential for use as a functional ingredient in natural and healthy products

A small fruit of the Brazilian hotspots of the Restinga ecosystem with great contents of colorful bioactive compounds was chemically characterized in order to promote the knowledge, use and preservation of the species