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 This work deals with the application of microencapsulated extract of cupuassu seed by-product to functionally enrich a food multimixture. The methodological bases applied were those of the Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC. Multimixture enrichment with the extract led to 54 and 19% increases in total dietary fiber and total fat contents, to slight decreases in carbohydrate and protein contents, while the total energy value was reduced by 6.4% due to the increase in unsaturated fatty acids content. The enriched multimixture showed a significant antioxidant activity and high levels of Ca2+, Fe2+, Zn2+ and ω-9 and ω-6 unsaturated fatty acids. Nutritional and functional qualities of this multimixture, as well as its excellent stability against progressive temperature increases frequently occurring in food preparations, suggest its use as a basic ingredient for food supplementation. The results also indicate excellent technological properties of the multimixture to formulate new food products.

Abstract Cupuassu is a fruitful species from the Amazon basin with great economical potential, due to the multiple uses of its pulp and seeds in the food and cosmetic industries. This fruit generates large amounts of solid waste, which, despite of its high content of bioactive compounds, is discarded in the environment. Therefore, with the aim of reusing these wastes and adding economic value, we investigated the nutritional potential of the seed by-product resulting from industrial cupuassu oil extraction. The by-product was submitted to green extraction, and its contents of bioactive compounds were quantified by HPLC. The extract had a total polyphenol content (16.9 ± 1.8 mg/gDM) and an antioxidant activity, ABTS + (151.0 ± 5.5 mg/100 g) and DPPH. (85.4 ± 1.7 mmol/L). HPLC analysis of the extract identified epicatechin and glycosylated quercetin as the major flavonoids. This by-product shows great potential for being used as a source of the ingredients of high nutritional value, especially dietary fiber and polyphenols.