Chemical and Physical-Chemical Properties, Antioxidant Activity and Fatty Acids Profile of Red Pitaya [Hylocereus Undatus (Haw.) Britton & Rose] Grown In Brazil

Abstract

Pitaya is a cactaceae originally from Tropical and Subtropical America which belongs to the exotic fruit group, little explored to date by the food and pharmaceutical industries. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the chemical and physical-chemical properties, antioxidant activity and the fatty acid profile of the red pitaya fruit (pulp and peel) [Hylocereus undatus (Haw.) Britton & Rose], grown in Brazil. These analyses have shown that pitaya pulp has high moisture content (86.03%) and low lipid (0.16%) and protein (2.27%) content, which ensures a low fruit calorie value (53.68%). Among the highlighted minerals are potassium (3.090 mg / 100 g), manganese (2.230 mg / 100 g), chromium (1.250 mg / 100 g), sodium (0.140 mg / 100 g), calcium (0.040 mg / 100 g) and, at lower concentrations, phosphorus (0.003 mg / 100 g). On the other hand, the antioxidant activity of pitaya pulp (1266.3 µg mL -1 ) was lower than in the pitaya peel (445.2 µg mL -1 ). In the fatty portion of the fruit, we verified that the predominant fatty acid is linoleic acid (50.869% of total fatty acids in the fruit), followed by oleic acid (21.551%) and palmitic acid (12.632%). The antioxidant potential and the chemical properties of pitaya fruit can contribute to maintaining a healthy diet.

Elaboration of Blends of Pitaya Pulps With Acerola

“…High levels of water have been reported for acerola and pitaya pulp. Jerônimo et al (2015) reported levels of 86.03% and García-Cruz et al (2013) 87.1 and 89.0% in pitaya pulp, levels close to that detected in the present study. On the other hand, Reis et al (2017) and Caetano et al (2012) obtained, respectively, 90.75% and 91.17% in acerola pulp, presenting values above that observed in the present study.…”

KARAKTERISTIK FISIK, KIMIA DAN ORGANOLEPTIK SELAI PADA BERBAGAI RASIO BUAH NAGA MERAH (Hylocereus polyrhizus Britt and Rose) - GULA PASIR

“…Hal ini menunjukkan bahwa peningkatan berat daging buah naga dan penurunan berat gula pasir akan diikuti dengan peningkatan kadar air sebesar 99 persen. Beberapa hasil penelitian sebelumnya melaporkan bahwa buah naga mengandung air sebesar 86,03% (Jerônimo, et al, 2015), 82,5 -83% (Jaafar, et al, 2009) dan 87,90% (Islam, et al, 2012). Oleh karena itu meningkatnya proporsi penambahan daging buah naga merah akan menyebabkan kandungan air selai meningkat.…”

“…Sebaliknya penurunan berat buah naga dan peningkatan berat gula pasir akan menyebabkan peningkatan total padatan terlarut. Buah naga mengandung total padatan terlarut 11,0 -11,40 o Brix pada suhu 20 o C (Jerônimo, et al, 2015dan Islam, et al, 2012. Sukrosa dan pektin berperan untuk meningkatkan kadar total padatan terlarut.…”

The effects of betalain-rich cacti (dragon fruit and cactus pear) on endothelial and vascular function: a systematic review of animal and human studies

“…As for the cactus pear however, it has been used in the Latin America as traditional folk remedies and are harvested today as a crop vegetable becoming a staple in the modern diet in that region. 1 Most importantly, they also contain high levels of soluble fibre 2,3 and bioactive phytochemicals such as betalains, 4,5 the beneficial properties of which have sparked considerable interests among researchers. Betacyanins and betaxanthins are two subclasses of betalains and are natural colour pigments commonly found in some cacti species and in red beetroot.…”

“…6 Some variants of the cactus pear have been documented to contain up to 8.15 mg g −1 dry fruit of total betalains and is comparable to that of the red beetroot at 8.60 mg g −1 dry tissue which is well-known as a crop grown for their red betalain pigments for use as natural food dyes. 7 However, betalains content are lower in the dragon fruit as seen in red pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) peel and flesh (3.02 mg g −1 and 4.27 mg g −1 dry weight respectively, 8 corrected for ∼90% of moisture content 3 ). Even though these cacti may also contain some other phytochemicals, the betalains are known to be the most abundant out of their total alkaloidal and phenolic content.…”