Nutritional composition of the pulp of Pajura (Couepia bracteosa Benth.), an underutilized fruit from the Amazon

Abstract

Although the consumption of Amazonian fruits has a regional predominance, these fruits present great possibilities for their use in agroindustry. Also, scientific research that seeks to identify functional properties in fruits also promotes their commercial value and, as a consequence, can benefit family farming and contribute to the sustainable development of the region. The most significant challenge for the exploration and commercialization of new fruit species, particularly in the most distant and hard-to-reach areas is the preservation of their organoleptic characteristics and their nutritional value, given the prospect of high perishability during transport [13].Nowadays, the post-harvest loss of fruit in Brazil reaches 30%. These losses stem from the choice of inappropriate cultivars, improper postharvest techniques, poor transport conditions and inadequate storage for the products. On the other hand, there is a growing interest in processed fruits, both domestically and abroad the country, due to the demand for healthy foods that are convenient and ready for