Caracterização química de castanhas do Brasil produzidas ex situ

Abstract

The Brazil nut tree (Bertholletia excelsa) is typical of the warm and humid climates of the Northern region of Brazil, with its seeds highly valued for their richness in unsaturated fatty acids and minerals. Although there have been few studies on cultivation outside its natural region, the recent fruiting in an experimental plantation in Lavras, MG, highlights the potential for the expansion of this crop to other regions. This study aimed to evaluate the chemical and nutritional characteristics of Brazil nuts from two harvests (2022 and 2023) produced in Minas Gerais, comparing them with samples from seven natural origins in the North. The evaluations included proximate composition, phenolic content, antioxidant activity, fatty acid profiles, organic acids, and mineral composition. No significant differences were observed between the nuts from MG and the North for most chemical and nutritional parameters. However, some differences were noted, such as lower levels of palmitic acid (11,54 ± 0,08% in MG compared to 15,00 ± 1,18%in the North) and higher concentrations of α-linolenic acid in MG. In the organic acid profile, malic acid predominated in MG (42,05 ± 2,88 mg/L), while tartaric and glucuronic acids predominated in the North (49,82 ± 17,78 mg/L). Regarding mineral composition, nuts from MG showed higher concentrations of potassium and magnesium, while selenium, barium, and calcium levels were statistically similar to those from natural regions. The principal component analysis (PCA) revealed significant dispersion among the nuts from the North, indicating the diversity in their chemical and nutritional composition. However, the nuts from MG showed greater proximity to samples from Pará, particularly due to variables related to potassium and magnesium. It can be concluded that the Brazil nuts cultivated in Minas Gerais integrate the extensive diversity observed among natural regions, being influenced by edaphoclimatic factors. Their chemical and nutritional characteristics highlight that, although grown ex-situ, these nuts share similarities with different natural origins, demonstrating that cultivation in Minas Gerais aligns with the natural variability of the species.