Sustainable valorization of peach palm (Bactris gasipaes): extraction, bioactive composition and functional properties

Abstract

This thesis investigated, in an integrated manner, strategies for the valorization of Amazonian fruits of the Arecaceae family, with emphasis on peach palm (Bactris gasipaes), by combining a critical literature review, sustainable extraction of bioactive compounds, and chemical and structural characterization of oils obtained using different protocols. Initially, a bibliometric and thematic review of six promising palm species was conducted to synthesize trends, advances, and recurring gaps in the literature. The analysis revealed limitations related to methodological heterogeneity, limited comparability between studies, and the need for further research into approaches applied to the generation of higher value-added ingredients and inputs. In the experimental stage, the potential for integral valorization of peach palm was evaluated through the obtaining of extracts from different fractions of the fruit (peel, pulp, and seed), comparing conventional solvents (water and 80% ethanol) with alternatives also considered green, including deep eutectic solvents (DES) and supramolecular solvents (SUPRAS). The extracts were characterized in terms of bioactive composition, antioxidant potential, and biological activities, and were also subjected to in vitro gastrointestinal digestion simulation to discuss bioaccessibility. The results showed a strong influence of the fruit fraction and the solvent used on the chemical profile and functional performance of the extract, highlighting the potential of green solvents, especially SUPRAS, for the recovery of compounds of interest and to expand the possibilities of application and utilization of co-products. Additionally, the valorization of the lipid fraction of peach palm was investigated by evaluating the effect of two extraction protocols (one non-polar, based on isooctane, and another polar, based on ethanol) on the yield, chemical composition, and structural organization of oils obtained from the peel and pulp. The integrated approach, involving analysis of lipid composition, minor constituents, and thermal, structural, and rheological characterization, demonstrated that the differences observed in the oils should be interpreted as a result of the extraction protocol as a whole, and not just the effect of the solvent in isolation, highlighting direct implications for the functionality and technological potential of these oils. Taken together, the results demonstrate that peach palm is a strategic matrix for integral valorization, with the potential to generate bioactive extracts and oils with properties modulated by the extraction process, offering scientific and technological bases for innovation, waste reduction, and the development of products aligned with sustainability and the Amazonian bioeconomy