Extraction, characterization and antioxidant properties of phenolic compounds in açaí juçara (Euterpe edulis Mart.) from Atlantic Forest

Abstract

The açaí is a popular Brazilian fruit, however, already part of the world's healthy eating habits owing to its antioxidant properties. The study aimed to determine the effect of solvent in extracting phenolic compounds with antioxidant potential in açaí juçara (Euterpe edulis Mart.) using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The phenolic compound profile was quantified by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), and the data set was analyzed by Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The PCA was applied to evidence the relationships between the concentration of phenolic compounds and the solvents. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity was also determined by 2,2’-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) methods. The solvent ethanol: water 70% was more efficient in extracting phenolic compounds with high antioxidant activity. In this extract, salicylic acid was found in high concentrations as well as catechin, epicatechin, and coumaric acid. Based on a consensus that phenolic compounds are associated with the most powerful antioxidant activities of fruits, the “açaí juçara” from the Atlantic Forest is a potential source of polyphenols. They could be used as natural antioxidants for application in the food and pharmaceutical industry in order to substitute the synthetic antioxidants.