Abstract This study evaluated the impact of processing, packages (amber and transparent glass jars), and storage time on the stability of the bioactive compounds (total phenolic compounds and vitamin C), and antioxidant activity of mangaba jelly. Jelly processing, significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity. The storage time, significantly (p < 0.05) influenced all the variables studied in this work, although they were not affected by packages. A significant decrease of the bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity was observed during the jelly storage. HPLC-DAD/UV-Vis analyses allowed to identify 10 phenolic compounds, including flavonoids and non-flavonoids, and among these, quercetin and catechin were the major compounds. After processing, all these compounds decreased significantly (p < 0.05), except for the gallic acid and the p-coumaric acid, which presented an increasing tendency. During jelly storage, only gallic acid, caffeic acid, catechin, and rutin were affected. Despite the reduction in the antioxidant activity and bioactive compounds studied, mangaba jelly retained good levels of them and may be considered a potential novel functional food.

RESUMO Campomanesia rufa (O. Berg) Nied. é uma espécie nativa do Cerrado que apresenta grande potencial comestível. No entanto, é uma espécie “em perigo de extinção”, segundo a União Internacional para a Conservação da Natureza (IUCN). Não existe informação técnica e científica sobre a espécie, demonstrando a importância das pesquisas. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo a caracterização físico-química de frutos imaturos e maduros de C. rufa. Os frutos apresentaram alteração na coloração de verde (b * = 25.11, h = 122.43) para verde amarelado (b * = 34.26, h = 115.73), aumento na massa (6.54 g para 10.88 g), diâmetro (23.76 mm a 28.03 mm) e sólidos solúveis (8.00 a 10.80%). Os frutos apresentaram altos teores de pectina total (1246.35 mg 100 g-1) e solúvel (195.93 mg 100 g-1), alto teor de água (78.86 g 100 g-1), baixo valor de pH (3.40) e alto ácido cítrico conteúdo (1.2%). No entanto, os frutos apresentaram baixo teor de proteína (0.81 g 100 g-1), teor de lipídios e baixo valor calórico (64.76 kcal 100 g-1). Os frutos apresentaram valores significativos de carotenóides, compostos fenólicos (312.47 mg 100 g-1), vitamina C (263.60 mg 100 g-1) e boa atividade antioxidante in vitro (1862.81 µM g-1). Os resultados obtidos indicam que os frutos de C. rufa apresentam composição semelhante aos frutos de outras espécies de Campomanesia, e suas propriedades biológicas devem ser investigadas adicionalmente em condições in vivo.

ABSTRACT Campomanesia rufa (O. Berg) Nied. is a native Cerrado species that presents great edible potential. However, it is a species “in danger of extinction” as recommended by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). No technical and scientific information about the species exists, thus demonstrating the importance of its research. The present work aimed at the physical and chemical characterization of immature and mature C. rufa fruits. The fruits showed a change in coloration from green (b * = 25.11, h = 122.43) to yellowish-green (b * = 34.26 , h = 115.73), an increase in mass (6.54 g to 10.88 g), diameter (23.76 mm to 28.03 mm) and soluble solids (8.00 to 10.80%). The fruits presented high levels of total (1246.35 mg 100 g-1) and soluble pectin (195.93 mg 100 g-1), high water content (78.86 g 100 g-1), low pH value (3.40), and high citric acid content (1.2%). However, the fruits had low protein (0.81 g 100 g-1), lipid contents, and low caloric values (64.76 kcal 100 g-1). The fruits presented significant values of carotenoids, phenolic compounds (312.47 mg 100 g-1), vitamin C (263.60 mg 100 g-1) as well as good in vitro antioxidant activity (1862.81 µM g-1). The results obtained indicate that C. rufa fruits showed a similar composition to the fruits of other Campomanesia species, and their biological properties should be investigated additionally under in vivo conditions.