The phytochemicals in fruits have been shown to be major bioactive compounds with regard to health benefits. Bacaba (Oenocarpus bacaba Mart.) is a native palm fruit from the Brazilian savannah and Amazon rainforest that plays an important role in the diet of rural communities and is also a source of income for poor people. This paper reports the characterization and analyses of phenolics from bacaba fruit extract. The total phenolic content of bacaba fruit amounted to 1759.27 ± 1.01 mg GAE/100 g, the flavonoid content was 1134.32 ± 0.03 mg CTE/100 g, and the anthocyanin content was 34.69 ± 0.00 mg cyn-3-glc/100 g. The antioxidant activity was evaluated through different assays [ORAC, FRAP, DPPH, TEAC, and cellular antioxidant assay (CAA) assays] and revealed a significant antioxidant capacity for bacaba in comparison to the data available in the literature. The assignment of the phenolic compounds using HPLC-DAD-MS(n) was based on the evaluation of their UV-vis absorption maxima (λ(max)) and mass spectral analyses, and 14 compounds were tentatively identified. The results suggest that bacaba fruits are a promising source of phenolics.

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The composition of propolis depends on time, vegetation and the location of the collection area. The objective of this study was to determine the physicochemical characteristics, the concentration of phenol compounds and the antioxidant capacity of propolis of native stingless bees (Meliponinae) and Apis from the State of Tocantins. Extraction with 80% ethanol (v/v) was performed in order to obtain the extracts. Parameters examined were: propolis mass loss by desiccation at 105 ºC, ashes, wax concentration and pH. Furthermore, the propolis antioxidant activity was measured, as well as the total concentration of phenol compounds. The extracts were also analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. The total concentration of phenol compounds varied between 121.78 and 631.29 (mg GAE g . High performance liquid chromatography analysis allowed us to infer the existence of phenol compounds. The results indicated that the studied propolis samples constitute good sources of natural antioxidants. The variety of phenol compounds identified in this study, and the diverse biological functions reported in literature for these compounds indicated that this stingless bee propolis (Meliponinae) and Apis has a high pharmacological potential. KEYWORDS: Propolis, antioxidant, phenol compounds.Propriedades físico-químicas e capacidade antioxidante de própolis de abelhas sem ferrão (Meliponinae) e Apis de duas regiões do Tocantins, Brasil RESUMO A composição da própolis depende do tempo, da vegetação e a localização da área de coleta. Este estudo teve como objetivo determinar as características físicas e químicas, o teor de compostos fenólicos e capacidade antioxidante da própolis de abelhas nativas sem ferrão (Meliponinae) e Apis do Estado do Tocantins. Para a obtenção dos extratos empregou-se extração com etanol 80% (v/v). Os parâmetros analisados foram: perda de peso por dessecação a 105 °C, cinzas, Teor de cera e pH. Além dessas foi mensurada a atividade antioxidante e o teor de compostos fenólicos totais. Adicionalmente os extratos de própolis foram também analisados por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. O teor de compostos fenólicos totais variou entre 121,78 e 631,29 (mg GAE g -1 ). A atividade antioxidante expressa pelo valor de CE 50 variou entre 29,81 e 845,38 µg mL -1 . As análises por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência permitiram inferir a existência de compostos fenólicos. Os resultados indicaram que as amostras de própolis estudadas constituem boas fontes de antioxidantes naturais. A variedade de compostos fenólicos identificada neste estudo, e as diversas funções biológicas relatadas na literatura para estes compostos, indicaram que a própolis de abelhas sem ferrão (Meliponinae) e Apis tem um grande potencial farmacológico. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Própolis, antioxidante, compostos fenólicos. Physicochemical properties and antioxidant capacity of propolis of stingless bees (Meliponinae) and Apis from two regions of Tocantins, Brazil ACTA

This study aimed at estimating the consumer's willingness to pay (WTP) more for value-added pomegranate juice using the contingent valuation method (CVM). The WTP was estimated applying the open-ended elicitation technique with 454 consumers in two supermarkets located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The average consumer's WTP more for pomegranate juice was estimated in R$2.04 (Brazilian currency) and the income elasticity coefficient at the midpoint was 0.19, i.e., a 10% increase in consumer income will increase, on average, 1.9% the WTP of pomegranate juice (ceteris paribus). Therefore, the income elasticity coefficient was considered inelastic, once an increase in income would have low effect on the WTP for these consumers. The results indicated that the consumers were interested in acquiring a non-traditional juice processed using a technology that preserves vitamins and antioxidants, maintains the flavor of "fresh juice" without colorants and preservatives, despite the pomegranate is not part of the Brazilian diet.

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