Abstract The objective of this study was to obtain and characterize a freeze-dried powder of taioba leaves (Xanthosoma taioba) as a source of bioactive substances and potential food applications. The fresh leaves were cooked and lyophilized for further analysis. Its bioactive contents expressed in flavonoids, ascorbic acid and total polyphenols were quantified. Total antioxidant activity (TAA) was determined by ABTS assays. The chemical composition via infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and its microstructure were visualized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The bioactive contents of flavonoids, ascorbic acid and polyphenols were 17.15 mg/100 g, 58.3 mg/100 g and 24.15 mg Eq. of gallic acid/100 g, respectively. A high content of TAA was found. ABTS 37.35 (µg TE/g). The FTIR spectrum revealed high-intensity bands at 3350 cm-1, 2928 cm-1, 1637 cm-1, and 1055 cm-1 related to vibrations associated with typical bands of −OH groups present in cellulose membranes, hemicellulose, carbohydrates, lignin and water. The micrographs showed irregular structures of the ground leaves with a fibrous structure. These results indicate a high potential of this raw material in food formulations as a source of bioactives suitable for applications in various industrial segments.

Abstract Agroindustrial disposal generates tons of passion fruit albedo during pulp and juice processing. The reduction of this environmental pollution potential and its use involves research such as this one, which aims to determine the bioactive compounds in the passion fruit albedo (Passiflora edulis), its technological, functional potential and its morphological structures, aiming at food application. The methodologies applied followed internationally accepted and recommended guidelines. The results showed that the albedo flour obtained a yield of 9.76%, and from this, a semifine powder flour was prepared (75.8%), with 4.95% moisture, 40.72% reducing sugars, water activity of 0.37, pH of 5.29, total titratable acidity of 0.99 and total soluble solids of 1.5 °Brix. In addition, the presence of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols (18.88 mg AGE/100 g), flavonoids (13.51 mg/100 g), anthocyanins (1.74 mg/100 g) and chlorophyll b (69.65 mg/100 g) was evidenced, highlighting a considerable amount of vitamin C (377.36 mg/100 g) and pectin concentration (40.5%). In addition, the presence of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols (18.88 mg AGE/100 g), flavonoids (13.51 mg/100 g), anthocyanins (1.74 mg/100 g) and chlorophyll b (69.65 mg/100 g) was evidenced, highlighting a considerable amount of vitamin C (377.36 mg/100 g) and pectin concentration (40.5%).

Abstract The objective of this research was to analyze the industrial potential of a bacaba powder (Oenocarpus bacaba) obtained by different drying methods, evaluating antioxidant activity, spectroscopic and morphological behavior and addition to the composition of inorganic elements. The content of anthocyanins, flavonoids and carotenoids of each powder were determined as well as the total phenolic compounds. The structure of the granules of the powder were visualized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the elemental composition was attained by the X-ray spectroscopic energy dispersive system (EDS). The data suggest that the freeze-drying method is more efficient in obtaining the bacaba powder material. The increase in temperature applied in the convection drying process caused a reduction in the bioactive compound content and elements with antioxidant activity, it severely damaged the morphology of the plant membrane and influenced the composition of the spectral bands. Thus, this study indicates that the freezer-drying method could be particularly useful for obtaining bacaba powder in off-season periods, and that bacaba itself is a raw material that could be exploited by several industrial segments.

Abstract Identifying potential patterns in pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) composition, as a function of the different fish muscle zones (dorse, venter, ventrecha and tail), was the main objective of this research. For such, the different pirarucu muscle zones were evaluated, in order to obtain proximate composition and minerals content. It was also determined amino acids and fatty acids contents in fish muscle. The dorsal, ventral and tail muscle zones presented similar moisture (76.5-78.2%), protein (17.8-18.9%), total lipids (1.0-1.5%) and ash (0.9-1.2%) contents. On the other hand, the ventrecha zone presented 25.8% of protein and the major total lipids content (17.1%). The main minerals found in fish muscle were K (183.5-288.6 mg/100 g muscle) and Na (65.1-175.5 mg/100 g). Glutamic acid (3027.6 mg/100 g muscle) was the main amino acid found in fish muscle, which presented 48% of essential amino acids in the protein fraction. Lipids content showed 57.3% of unsaturated fatty acids and 42.7% of saturated fatty acids.