“Macaíba,” an emerging oil crop: Nutritional evaluation of the pulp and kernel fruits from semi‐arid and coastal zone of northeast Brazil

Abstract

Many native species of the Brazilian flora are still little explored economically in the country. An example is Acrocomia intumescens, a palm tree that in recent studies has shown some industrial potential still unexplored. The present study evaluates the proximate composition, including minerals, and total carotenoid content of A. intumescens fruits from three different locations in Pernambuco State, north‐east Brazil, with distinct climatic characteristics. A. intumescens fruits showed that nutritional composition, mineral profile and total carotenoid content varied between fruit parts and between locations. A. intumescens pulp is rich in moisture (35.96%–40.97%), lipids (31.88%–43.22%), ashes (3.63%–4.95%) and total carotenoids (106.69–265.23 µg/g), while the kernel stands out for its high content of lipids (52.08%–56.67%) and proteins (16.49%–21.88%). The main A. intumescens minerals present in the pulp were K (max. 241 mg/100 g) and Mg (max. 153.38 mg/100 g), while P (max. 92.51 mg/100 g) predominated in the kernel. Multivariate analysis (PCA) indicates that location with higher rainfall and temperature produces fruits with higher macro‐ and micronutrient contents.

Potential of Supercritical Acrocomia aculeata Oil and Its Technology Trends

“…The genus Acrocomia can be found in a wide geographic distribution due to its adaptation to different climates [1]. Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq.)…”

“…Acrocomia aculeata, also known as macaúba or bocaiuva, is a common and economically important palm species in Brazil, especially in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Several studies have explored its nutritional properties, both of the pulp and kernels, as shown in Table 1, revealing its potential as a source of nutrients and vegetable oils [1]. However, this fruit is still exploited in an extractive manner, and the process of removing the skin is on a small scale [16].…”

“…Macaúba pulp is rich in β-carotene, as well as copper, potassium, and zinc, and can be classified as a source of these minerals for children and adults [6]. The macaúba almond oil (Acrocomia aculeata) is rich in lipids and proteins [1,17,18]. Bocaiuva almond flour has a high protein (38.0%) and fiber (45.3%) content, even though it is deficient in essential amino acids such as threonine, histidine, and leucine.…”

“…Lodd is a common palm tree in the Cerrado region, but it can be found throughout the Brazilian territory. The plant, also known as macaúba, macaíba, or bocaiuva, is a species with great economic potential for the production of oil for the chemical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, energy production, and food industries, in addition to being considered an important source of nutrients [1][2][3][4]. The fruit of macaúba has a pulp that is a great source of nutrients, including carbohydrates, fibers, proteins, vitamins, and minerals, used in human and animal nutrition.…”

Evaluation of the effectiveness of macaíba palm seed kernel (Acrocomia intumescens drude) on anxiolytic activity, memory preservation and oxidative stress in the brain of dyslipidemic rats

“…There are few studies assessing the potential and quality of macaíba pulp and oil [22,24]. A research confirmed the anti-inflammatory and diuretic activities of the pulp's oil in rats [25].…”