Dados do Trabalho

Título

AMINO ACID PROFILE OF CAFERANA: AN UNCONVENTIONAL FOOD PLANT

Introdução

Currently, millions of tons of waste from fruit processing are generated in the agro-industries. The biorefinery concept can aid industries to face the challenge of preserving the environment, applying the maximum use of raw resources, transforming waste into co-products, as well as mitigating financial and environmental losses. Fruit processing co-products have high potential for their conversion into new accessible raw materials to produce nutraceutical formulations, extracts, dyes, flours, isolates, or edible protein compounds. Caferana (Bunchosia glandulifera), a native species from South America, has been prepared into teas (leaves), powdered supplements (root and seeds), juices, jellies, ice creams, sauces, and sweets (pulp). The different formulations are popularly recommended for the control of some types of neurodegenerative, cancerous, cardiovascular diseases, viral infections, being also indicated to promote longevity, physical disposition, and mental vigor.

Material e Métodos

The total amino acids (AA) profile was evaluated by reversed-phase column chromatography in a high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC), after acid hydrolysis with phenol.

Resultados e Discussão

The AA contents were calculated in relation to the digestible protein fraction in the form of AA, presenting average protein results in the order of 1.7% (pulp), 3% (root), 11% (seeds), and up to 13% (leaves). Evaluations of protein content and AA profile in roots, leaves, and pulp of caferana are unprecedented studies. Their presence may be related the descriptions of well-being, mental clarity, and longevity described by caferana consumers. All caferana fractions can be considered good sources of essential AAs such as leucine (5 to 8%), isoleucine (3 to 4%), and valine (3 to 6%). The main non-essential AAs found in caferana fractions were aspartic (12 to 29%) and glutamic acids (10% to 15%) in leaves, pulp, and seeds, and proline (10%) and hydroxyproline (9%) in roots.

Conclusão

Raw materials with high protein contents, as found in caferana, have nutritional potential and open space for the exploration of natural resources integrated into the biorefinery concept, with the processing of co-products such as leaves and seeds, for applications in nutraceutical supplements, compounds rich in proteins, among many other products.