Characterization of yellow puçá (Mouriri Grandiflora) and impacts of in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion on the chemical, biological and antioxidant properties of polyphenols

Abstract

The yellow puçá (Mouriri grandiflora), a fruit native to the Amazon and Cerrado biomes, remains underexplored from a chemical, functional and technological perspective, despite its traditional use by local communities. In view of the growing demand for foods rich in bioactive compounds and the scientific interest in the bioaccessibility of polyphenols, this thesis aimed to perform the systemic characterization of the pulp, peels and seeds of the fruit, as well as to evaluate the impacts of simulated gastrointestinal digestion in vitro on its chemical, biological and antioxidant properties. The nutritional characterization showed distinct compositional profiles between the fractions, with variations in the distribution of macronutrients, organic acids, fatty acids and triglycerides. The phytochemical analyses showed that, although the pulp is the traditional edible fraction, peels and seeds showed higher levels of total phenolic compounds and high antioxidant activity, standing out as promising matrices for technological use. The identification of individual phenolics by liquid chromatography revealed a diversified profile of metabolites, reinforcing the functional potential of the fruit. The application of the INFOGEST protocol allowed the evaluation of the behavior of polyphenols throughout the digestive phases, indicating significant changes in the phenolic profile, with a reduction of sensitive compounds and an increase in the bioaccessible fraction due to the release of the food matrix. Modulation of antioxidant activity during digestion was also observed, showing that bioaccessibility also depends on structural transformations. In an integrated way, the results demonstrate that the yellow puçá has high functional potential, especially with the full use of its fractions, contributing to the development of natural ingredients and strategies aligned with the circular economy, in addition to expanding the knowledge about the interaction between plant matrix and gastrointestinal digestion.