Dados do Trabalho

Título

EFFECT OF BIOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS ON THE YIELD OF JAMBOLÃO PULP (Syzgium cumini L. Skeels) AND ANALYSIS OF ITS NUTRITIONAL AND FUNCTIONAL POTENTIALITIES

Introdução

The jambolan (Syzgium cumini L. Skeels) is a tropical plant from the Myrtaceae family, notable for its fruits with ideal chemical and nutraceutical properties for industrial use. However, the fruit's high perishability, combined with inadequate handling technologies and issues in harvesting and selection processes, limit its industrial-scale utilization. This study aimed to evaluate the effects and correlations between the biometric variables of the fruit and pulp yield, determine its physicochemical composition, and assess its functional properties.

Material e Métodos

Fruits were sourced from the Central Supply of Garanhuns (CEAGA) and initially analyzed for their biometric characteristics. After determining the pulp yield, its physicochemical composition was characterized, including the levels of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and total anthocyanins. The antioxidant capacity was assessed using ABTS radical scavenging and Fe3+ ion reduction (FRAP) methodologies. Data were evaluated through descriptive statistics, Spearman's correlation coefficient (rS), and Principal Component Analysis (PCA).

Resultados e Discussão

The analyzed fruits had an average weight of 4.11 ± 1.06 g, with average horizontal and vertical diameters of 15.55 ± 2.77 mm and 27.37 ± 7.47 mm, respectively. The fruits had an average pulp yield of 65.15 ± 8.57%. This yield was positively and significantly influenced (p<0.05) by horizontal diameter (HD) (rS = 0.391) and fruit weight (FW) (rS = 0.493), indicating that larger HD and FW resulted in higher pulp yields. Additionally, the pulp showed good nutritional composition and levels of phenolic compounds (45.69 mg ± 6.09 GAE /100 g), total anthocyanins (305.59 ± 106.19 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside/100g), and antioxidant activity (ABTS = 3.291 ± μmol Trolox equivalent/g and FRAP = 11.876.97 ± 619 μmol Fe2SO4/100g), comparing favorably with other commercial fruit species. The findings suggest that larger fruits with greater horizontal diameters and weights produce higher pulp yields.

Conclusão

The jambolan fruit has significant potential for industrial processing due to its high content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity. However, to fully utilize this potential, better post-harvest handling practices and improvements in handling technologies are necessary. Further research is essential to achieve optimal industrial use of jambolan fruits.