ABSTRACT The yellow uxi (Endopleura uchi) is a tree native to the Amazon and its fruits are appreciated in the region. It is rich in total phenols and its bark is known to have high bergenin content, an isocoumarin derivative that presents several pharmacological activities. Yet the nutritional and functional properties of the fruit are still little known. We analyzed the nutritional, centesimal, and mineral properties, and the antioxidant activity and total phenol content of the alcoholic extract of yellow uxi fruit pulp from different locations in the Amazon. The bergenin content was also quantified. Average pulp yield was 45.66 ± 4.44% (w/w), with 60.1 - 89.2 g 100 g-1 of moisture and 1.28 - 1.32 g 100 g-1 of ash (dry basis). Calcium (78.2 - 87.1 mg 100 g-1) and potassium (260.2 - 395 mg 100 g-1) were the most abundant minerals in the pulp. Aluminum concentration was high compared to other Amazonian fruits (23.7 - 28.7 mg 100 g-1). The high caloric value of the pulp (325.3 ± 20.9 Kcal 100 g-1) is attributed to its lipid (32 - 44.9%) and carbohydrate (48.2 - 64.1%) content. The scavenging activity of DPPH was 1.95 - 20.68%, which was highly associated with the total phenolic content (16.91 - 30.07 µg GAE mg-1). Bergenin content was 180.8 ± 55.3 mg 100 g-1. We conclude that E. uchi pulp has high caloric and mineral content, and it is also a source of bergenin, thus this fruit has a potential nutritional and functional value.

RESUMO O uxi amarelo (Endopleura uchi) é uma árvore nativa da região amazônica e suas frutas são apreciadas na região. Ele é rico em fenóis e sua casca tem alto teor de bergenina, um derivado da isocumarina conhecido por apresentar diversas atividades farmacológicas. No entanto, as propriedades nutricionais e funcionais do fruto ainda são pouco conhecidas. Nós analisamos as propriedades nutricionais, centesimais e minerais, e a atividade antioxidante e o teor de fenólicos do extrato alcoólico da polpa do fruto do uxi amarelo de diferentes localidades da Amazônia. O teor de bergenina também foi quantificado. O rendimento médio de polpa foi de 45,66 ± 4,44% (m/m), com 60,1 - 89,2 g 100 g-1 de umidade e 1,28 - 1,32 g 100 g-1 de cinzas (base seca). Cálcio (78,2 - 87,1 mg 100 g-1) e potássio (260,2 - 395 mg 100 g-1) foram os minerais mais abundantes na polpa. A concentração de alumínio foi alta em comparação com outras frutas amazônicas (23,7 - 28,7 mg 100 g-1). O alto valor calórico da polpa (325,3 ± 20,9 Kcal 100 g-1) é atribuído ao seu teor de lipídios (32 - 44,9%) e carboidratos (48,2 - 64,1%). A atividade sequestradora do DPPH foi de 1,95 - 20,68%, altamente associada ao teor de fenólicos totais (16,91 - 30,07 µg GAE mg-1). A quantidade de bergenina na polpa foi de 180,8 ± 55,3 mg 100 g-1. Concluímos que a polpa de E. uchi possui alto teor calórico e mineral, além de ser fonte de bergenina, portanto, este fruto possui valor nutricional e funcional potencial.

We evaluated the biomass of twenty Amazonian fungal isolates as a potential source of mycelium-bound lipases with hydrolytic, synthetic or enantioselective activity for biocatalysis application. We compared the hydrolytic activity of three biomass treatments (delipidated, non-delipidated and cultivated in medium without inducer). Delipidated biomass showed better results in the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl palmitate compared to the other two treatments for fifteen isolates. Delipidated biomass of six Aspergillus strains and UEA_115 strain showed a high synthesis activity of ethyl palmitate by transesterification in organic medium. Results were confirmed by spectrophotometry (410 nm) and gas chromatography. In this reaction, the isolate DPUA_1539 A. flavo-furcatis reached a maximum value of 668.5 ± 23.5 mU g-1. Enantioselective activity assays indicated that biomass-bound lipases from UEA_115 isolate (E = 3.58; ees = 7 ± 0) and in particular from the DPUA_1539 A. flavo-furcatis isolate (E = 24.15; ees = 91 ± 1) have the ability to discriminate enantiomers of the drug ibuprofen by ester synthesis, preferably with (R)-enantiomer. These results encourage further investigations of these fungi as potential lipase suppliers for biocatalytic processes such as biodiesel production and enantiopure drugs.