Although the greatest variety of Brazilian flora is in the Amazon region, the Southern region of Brazil also has an estimated number of at least 5,000 species of vascular native plants. These species have been neglected as potential food sources, remaining unknown and under-utilized and limiting the potential variety in the diet of Brazilians and other peoples. Therefore the aim of this study was to characterize the mineral composition and content present in seven native fruit species of Southern Brazil using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The essential element concentrations in the fruit samples were higher or similar to the values reported for traditional fruits. The araticum-do-mato fruit samples had high concentrations of the elements Ca, K, and Cu, and trace elements such as Pb and Sr. Mandacaru-de-três-quinas had predominance of Ba, Bi, and Ga, and the essential elements Mg and Mn. Uvaia and guabiroba had the highest levels of Al and Cr, but uvaia had high levels of Fe and Zn. The pindo palm had high amounts of Cd and Ni, and the yellow guava had high concentrations of Na, while red guava had high levels of Co.

Tendo em vista que alguns compostos fenólicos encontrados em amora-preta são benéficos para a saúde humana, este estudo foi conduzido com o propósito de quantificar os teores de compostos fenólicos totais e a atividade antioxidante em diferentes genótipos produzidos por 10 seleções e 4 cultivares de amoreira-preta com ou sem espinhos. Quanto aos resultados, pode-se observar que, dentre as seleções e cultivares de amoreira-preta com espinho, a seleção S16/96 apresentou o maior teor de compostos fenólicos e atividade antioxidante. Dentre as seleções sem espinho, a S17/01 e a S02/96 apresentaram os maiores valores, não diferindo da S12/01 para a atividade antioxidante. Não houve diferença estatística para os teores de compostos fenólicos totais e atividade antioxidante, quando comparadas entre si as seleções e as cultivares de amoreira-preta com espinhos. A correlação entre o teor de compostos fenólicos totais e a atividade antioxidante nas amoras-pretas estudadas é baixa, indicando presença de outros fitoquímicos e/ou vitaminas que podem influenciar o poder antioxidante.

Considering that some phenolic compounds found in blackberry are beneficial to human health, this study was conducted in order to quantify the levels of total phenolics and antioxidant activity in genotypes produced by different 10 cultivars and 4 selections of thorn and thornless blackberry plants. Concerning the results, it can be observed that among the thorn blackberry selections and cultivars, the selection S16/96 had the highest phenolic content and antioxidant activity. Among the thornless blackberry selections, the selections S17/01 and S02/96 showed higher values; however, it did not differ from selection S12/01 regarding to antioxidant activity. There was no statistical difference in the levels of total phenolics and antioxidant activity when compared with each other selections and cultivars of thorn blackberries. The correlation between total phenolic content and antioxidant activity in this blackberries study is weak indicating the presence of other phytochemicals and vitamins that may influence the antioxidant power.

Tendo em vista que alguns compostos fenólicos encontrados em amora-preta são benéficos para a saúde humana devido à sua ação antioxidante. Este estudo foi conduzido com o propósito de otimizar o seu processo de extração. As amostras foram submetidas a testes em que variam a relação: amostra:solvente, tempo de maceração, diferentes solventes, misturas de solventes e solventes acidificados. Não houve diferenças nos resultados em relação ao volume de solvente, tempo de maceração, mistura de solventes e acidificação para o conteúdo de compostos fenólicos. Já, dentre os solventes, a acetona foi mais eficiente na extração dos compostos fenólicos. A atividade antioxidante não foi alterada pelo tempo de maceração e pelas misturas de solvente; no entanto, o volume, o tipo de solvente e a acidificação deste afetaram a atividade antioxidante.

Considering that several phenolic compounds found in blackberry are beneficial to human health because of its antioxidant action, this study was conducted in order to optimize its extraction process for analysis. Samples were subjected to different extraction process: solvent, soaking time, solvent mixtures and acidified solvents. There were no differences in the results for volume of solvent, maceration time, solvent mixtures and acidification for the content of phenolic compounds; however, among the tested solvents, acetone was more efficient for extraction of phenolic compounds. The antioxidant activity was not affected by maceration time and the solvent mixtures; however the volume, the type of solvent and its acidification affected the antioxidant activity.