title: A comparative study of nutritional composition and potential use of some underutilized tropical fruits of Arecaceae.
abstract: In this study, pulp and kernel of fruits from six Arecaceae species were subjected to proximate analysis, fatty acid composition and total carotenoid content analysis. The species with the highest carbohydrate, lipid and protein values were Ptychosperma macarthurii(70.1 g/100 g in the kernel), Syagrus cearensis(40.6 g/100 g in the kernel), andS. coronata(20.6 g/100 g in the pulp). The ash content ranged from 0.61 to 7.51 g/100 g. Lauric, palmitic, and oleic acids were the major fatty acids identified. The total carotenoid contents and retinol activity equivalents were highest in the Pinanga kuhlii (180.3 µg/g) and Acrocomia intumescens (138.0 µg/g) pulp oils. Retinol activity equivalents varied between the investigated species (456 to 1515 μg RAE/100 g). Native species such as A. intumescens, S. coronata, and S. cearensis are good sources of fresh food for the underserved populations that inhabit poorly developed areas such as the semi-arid region of Brazil. P. macarthurii, an exotic species, is an excellent source of ash and carotenoids, demonstrating its potential both as a food source and as bioactive compounds. Pulp and kernel ofA. intumescens,could be a good alternative feedstock for soap and biodiesel production, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Ecologia Aplicada e Fitoquímica, Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, BR.
authors.forename: Raquel B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Ecologia Aplicada e Fitoquímica, Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, BR.
authors.forename: Edvaldo V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Silva-Júnior
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Ecologia Aplicada e Fitoquímica, Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, BR.
authors.forename: Laís C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Ecologia Aplicada e Fitoquímica, Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, BR.
authors.forename: Laise H C
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Recursos Econômicos e Fitoquímica, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, BR.
authors.forename: Suzene I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.affiliation: Centro de Tecnologias Estratégicas do Nordeste, Recife, PE, BR.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Harand
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Ecologia Aplicada e Fitoquímica, Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, BR.
authors.forename: Antonio F M
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Oliveira
mesh_terms: D028023:Arecaceae / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification; D001938:Brazil; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000032:analysis; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D009753:Nutritive Value; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D002241:Carbohydrates; D005227:Fatty Acids; D008055:Lipids; D010940:Plant Proteins; D002338:Carotenoids