title: IN VITRO AND IN VIVO ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF BURITI FRUIT (MAURITIA FLEXUOSA L.F.).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  studies have shown high concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, polyphenols and ascorbic acid in Buriti fruit (Mauritia flexuosa L.f.). This study evaluated the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activities of buriti fruit (Mauritia flexuosa L.f.).
  
  
  METHODS
  the chemical composition and total phenolic and carotenoid contents of the buriti pulp and the feed rations were determined, and the in vitro antioxidant activity was analyzed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical assay. Wistar rats (21 days old) were randomly allocated (n=10) into a control groups and experimental groups (feed enriched with buriti pulp). After 60 days, the in vivo antioxidant activity was evaluated through the determination of the catalase activity and non-protein sulfhydryl (NPSH) groups in the liver and quantification of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the plasma and tissues.
  
  
  RESULTS
  high contents of oleic fatty acids (73.3%), phenolic compounds (192 ± 0.3 mg/100 g) and carotenoids (23.9 ± 0.5 mg/100 g) as well as elevated in vitro antioxidant activity were found in the buriti pulp. The enriched diet had higher contents of phenols and carotenoids as well as higher antioxidant activity compared with the standard feed (p < 0.05). There were no differences between the groups regarding catalase activity in the liver and MDA concentrations in the plasma, liver and kidneys. The male rats of the experimental group had higher liver concentrations of NPSH compounds (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  these results may corroborate the claim that buriti fruit is an antioxidant functional food and support its utilization in a nutritionally balanced diet.
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Piauí. Teresina-Piaui.. carminhamartins@ufpi.edu.br.
authors.forename: Amanda Batista
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: da Rocha Romero
authors.affiliation: Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Federal University of Piaui. Teresina-Piaui.. carminhamartins@ufpi.edu.br.
authors.forename: Maria do Carmo
authors.initials: Mdo C
authors.lastname: de Carvalho e Martins
authors.affiliation: Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Federal University of Piaui. Teresina-Piaui.. carminhamartins@ufpi.edu.br.
authors.forename: Paulo Humberto
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Moreira Nunes
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Piauí. Teresina-Piaui.. carminhamartins@ufpi.edu.br.
authors.forename: Nayara
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ravenna Trindade Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Piauí. Teresina-Piaui.. carminhamartins@ufpi.edu.br.
authors.forename: Ana Karolinne
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: da Silva Brito
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Piauí. Teresina-Piaui.. carminhamartins@ufpi.edu.br.
authors.forename: Polliana Farias
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Marinho da Cunha
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Piauí. Teresina-Piaui.. carminhamartins@ufpi.edu.br.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Lima
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Federal University of Piaui (Teresina-Piaui), Brazil.. carminhamartins@ufpi.edu.br.
authors.forename: Regina Célia
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: de Assis
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Piauí. Teresina-Piaui.. carminhamartins@ufpi.edu.br.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moreira Araújo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D028023:Arecaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009829:Oleic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D010636:Phenols / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D009829:Oleic Acids; D010636:Phenols; D002338:Carotenoids