Phytochemical and bioactive compounds analysis of the lyophilized pulp, peel, and seeds of Salacia crassifolia fruit with potential as a functional food

Abstract

Salacia crassifolia, commonly known as “bacupari do Cerrado”, is a fruit highly valued by the local population. However, limited information is available in the literature regarding its constituents and/or functional properties. This study aimed to determine the phytochemical profile, the antioxidative activity using DPPH and ABTS assays, and quantify the and the phenolic compounds, carotenoids, and vitamin C in the freeze-dried pulp, peel, and seeds of bacupari fruits. The phytochemical profile revealed the presence of various bioactive compounds. The total phenolic content, determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method, ranged from 2095 to 1371 mg of gallic acid equivalent/g of dry mass. The antioxidant analysis showed EC50 values ranging from 3.88±0.03 to 0.45±0.12. The total flavonoid content varied from 9.56 to 9.91 mg of quercetin equivalent. Vitamin C content in the lyophilized pulp was found to be 48.55 mg/100 g, while the carotenoid content was 25.72 mg/100 g. These results demonstrate that the species is rich in bioactive compounds, highlighting its significant potential for both food and pharmacological applications.