Search Results (61)

Amazonian fruits are valued for their rich phytochemical composition, yet limited data exist for species in Colombia. This study aimed to characterize the flavonoid and phenolic acid profiles of Euterpe olereacea and Euterpe precatoria (açaí), Mauritia flexuosa (mirití), and Theobroma grandiflorum (cupuassu) from Vaupes, Colombia. Liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-QqQ-MS) and LC-QTOF-MS were used to identify and quantify bioactive compounds in fruit pulp samples. A total of 14 flavonoids and 23 phenolic acid derivatives were detected. M. flexuosa exhibited the highest total flavonoid content, particularly for catechin (4.86 µg/g). E. oleracea and E. precatoria showed the highest phenolic acid concentrations, with 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and ferulic acid as dominant compounds. The presence of cyanidin-O-glucoside was confirmed in Euterpe species but not in M. flexuosa or T. grandiflorum. Compared to international reports, the Colombian samples generally presented lower concentrations, likely due to genotypic, environmental, and methodological differences. These findings contribute to the phytochemical profiling of underrepresented Amazonian fruits and support their potential for functional food and nutraceutical applications. Further studies are recommended to evaluate the bioavailability and health-promoting effects of these compounds. Full article

Deforestation and land-use changes lead to significant soil degradation and erosion, particularly in Amazonian ecosystems, due to the region’s climate and geology. This study characterizes soil quality using physical, chemical, and biological parameters across different land uses. It uses a soil quality index (SQI) based on a minimum data set (MDS), from 19 evaluated parameters. The land uses evaluated were cacao monoculture (CMC), agroforestry systems associated with fruit and timber species (FAFS and TAFS, respectively), and a secondary forest. The SQI was composed of six variables, bulk density (BD), soil organic matter (SOM), urease activity (UR), pH, dehydrogenase activity (DH), and leaf litter, which are considered relevant indicators that allow for an adequate evaluation of soil quality. According to the SQI assessment, FAFS has a moderate-quality rating (0.40), followed by secondary forest (0.35), TAFS (0.33), and CMC (0.30), the last three categorized as low-quality. The methods used are replicable and efficient for evaluating changes in soil properties based on different land uses and management systems in landscapes similar to those of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Also worth mentioning is the potential of agroforestry as a sustainable land-use strategy that can enhance above- and below-ground biodiversity and nutrient cycling. Therefore, implementing agroforestry practices can contribute to long-term soil conservation and the resilience of tropical ecosystems. Full article

Açaí (Euterpe oleracea) seeds account for up to 95% of the fruit’s weight and are commonly discarded during pulp processing. Roasted açaí seed extract (RASE) has recently emerged as a caffeine-free coffee substitute, although its composition and functionality remain underexplored. This study characterized commercial açaí seed powder and evaluated the effect of temperature on the recovery of total phenolic content (TPC) in the aqueous extract using a Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD). An intermediate extraction condition (6.0 ± 0.5 g 100 mL⁻¹ at 100 °C) was selected, resulting in 21.78 mg GAE/g TPC, 36.23 mg QE/g total flavonoids, and notable antioxidant capacity (FRAP: 183.33 µmol TE/g; DPPH: 23.06 mg TE/g; ABTS: 51.63 mg TE/g; ORAC: 31.46 µmol TE/g). Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (¹H NMR) analysis suggested the presence of amino acids, carbohydrates, and organic acids. During in vitro digestion, TPC decreased from 54.31 to 17.48 mg GAE 100 mL⁻¹ when RASE was combined with goat milk. However, higher bioaccessibility was observed with skimmed (33%) and semi-skimmed (35%) cow milk. These findings highlight RASE as a phenolic-rich, antioxidant beverage with functional stability when prepared with boiling water. This is the first study to report the phytochemical profile of RASE and its interactions with different milk types, supporting its potential as a coffee alternative. Full article

The Amazon represents a key source of food biodiversity and is home to native fruits with high nutritional and functional potential, many of which remain largely unstudied. This research aimed to evaluate the presence of bioactive compounds, as well as the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of Miconia crenata, Grias neuberthii, Lacmellea oblongata, Pourouma cecprofiilia, and Annona edulis. Physical and chemical parameters, mineral content (atomic absorption), vitamin C, organic acid, carotenoids, chlorophylls, and phenols (liquid chromatography), antioxidant activity (ABTS, DPPH), and antimicrobial activity (against Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus mutans) were determined. High concentrations of calcium, syringic acid, and antioxidant activity were found in the fruits of Miconia crenata; malic and caffeic acids in Grias neuberthii; citric acid, naringenin, and antioxidant activity in Lactuca oblongata; potassium, chlorogenic acid, and ferulic acid in Pourouma cecropiifolia; and tartaric acid and gallic acid in Annona edulis. Additionally, low antimicrobial activity was observed in M. crenata against E. coli (2.7 mg/mL), G. neuberthii against S. aureus (10.3 mg/mL), and L. oblongata against S. mutans (10.4 mg/mL), C. albicans (20.8 mg/mL), and C. tropicalis (20.8 mg/mL). The results confirm that these Amazonian fruits are a relevant source of functional bioactive compounds, highlighting their potential for use in the food, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology sectors. Full article

Background/Objectives: The rise of bacterial resistance and the search for alternative, biocompatible antimicrobial materials have driven interest in natural-based nanocomposites. In this context, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have shown broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, and bacterial cellulose (BC) is widely recognized for its high purity, hydrophilicity, and biocompatibility. This study aimed to develop a bio-based BC–AgNP nanocomposite via green synthesis using Astrocaryum aculeatum (tucumã) extract and assess its antimicrobial performance for wound dressing applications. Methods: BC was biosynthesized via green tea fermentation (20 g/L tea and 100 g/L sugar) and purified prior to use. AgNPs were obtained by reacting aqueous tucumã extract with silver nitrate (0.1 mmol/L) at pH (9) and temperature (40 °C). BC membranes were immersed in the AgNPs dispersion for 7 days to form the nanocomposite. Characterization was performed using UV–Vis, DLS, TEM, SEM–EDS, FTIR, XRD, ICP–OES, and swelling analysis. Antibacterial activity was evaluated using the disk diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli (ATCC 6538 and 4388). Results: The UV–Vis spectra revealed a gradual decrease in the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band over 7 days of incubation with BC, indicating progressive incorporation of AgNPs into the membrane. ICP analysis confirmed silver incorporation in the BC membrane at 0.00215 mg/mL, corresponding to 15.5% of the initial silver content. Antimicrobial assays showed inhibition zones of 6.5 ± 0.5 mm for S. aureus and 4.3 ± 0.3 mm for E. coli. Conclusions: These findings validate the successful formation and antimicrobial performance of the BC–AgNP nanocomposite, supporting its potential use in wound care applications. Full article

Soil biological activity and macroinvertebrate diversity are key indicators of ecosystem function in tropical landscapes. This study evaluates the effects of different land-use systems—Amazonian Chakra agroforestry (timber-based and fruit-based), cocoa monoculture, and tropical rainforest—on soil microbial respiration, enzymatic activity, and macroinvertebrate diversity in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Forest soils exhibited the highest edaphic respiration (240 ± 64.3 mg CO₂ m² ha⁻¹, p = 0.034), while agroforestry systems maintained intermediate biological activity, surpassing monocultures in microbial diversity and enzymatic function. The soil organic matter (SOM) content at a 10 cm depth was significantly higher in monocultures (19.8 ± 3.88%) than in agroforestry and forest soils (p = 0.006); however, the enzymatic activity showed greater functional responses in agroforestry and forest systems. The relationship between recorded CO₂ respiration (REC_CO₂) and basal respiration (RBC_CO₂) exhibited a non-linear trend, as revealed by LOWESS smoothing, suggesting that microbial respiration dynamics are influenced by substrate availability and enzymatic thresholds beyond simple linear predictions. These findings underscore the potential of agroforestry as a sustainable land-use strategy that enhances soil biodiversity, carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling. Implementing optimized agroforestry practices can contribute to long-term soil conservation and ecosystem resilience in tropical agroecosystems. Full article

Amazonian oils and fats (AOFs) have promising composition and bioactive properties, and their processing with supercritical fluids presents several opportunities and challenges for the industry. Our review is dedicated to unraveling the advances in the application of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) to produce these exceptional oils and fats from Amazonian raw materials, such as fruits, pulps, seeds, and industrial by-products. Our review found that Amazonian plant species produce lipid-rich raw materials and also grow naturally in other regions with similar climates. AOFs present high nutritional value and functional properties due to their content of bioactive compounds. The properties of AOFs are attributed to their major and minor components; lipid molecules represent the major fraction and some fat-soluble compounds, such as tocopherols, phytosterols, terpenes and others, constitute the minor fraction. The production of AOFs by SFE requires properly prepared raw materials and process optimization. Several scientific articles report on the production of AOFs by SFE, but application studies in product development are still scarce. The composition and technological properties of AOFs show a wide spectrum of opportunities for the development of nutritional and functional products. Aspects such as the scaling up of the SFE process, agroforestry or agronomic production, and product development require further studies to promote the AOFs industry in a way that contributes to sustainable development, food security, and the quality of life and health of the Amazonian populations. Full article

Amazonian fruits are a source of bioactive compounds, among which phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and carotenes stand out. These compounds play a crucial role in restoring oxidative balance, consequently reducing the proliferation of cancer cells. However, the content of these metabolites and their biological properties may vary significantly depending on the geographical location and the environmental conditions where plants grow. This research assessed the content of metabolites, free radical scavenging capacity, and hemolytic and antiproliferative effects of the hydro-methanolic extracts of the Amazonian fruits Theobroma grandiflorum and Mauritia flexuosa. The results revealed that the extracts derived from the seeds of Theobroma grandiflorum sourced from the Balcanes experimental farm and the pulp of Mauritia flexuosa harvested in Florencia exhibited higher contents compared to other analyzed sites: Total phenolic content (TPC) (619.41 ± 12.05 and 285.75 ± 10.06 mg GAE/100 g FW), Total flavonoid content (TFC) (569.09 ± 4.51 and 223.21 ± 3.92 mg CAT/100 g FW), and Total carotenoid content (TCC) (25.12 ± 0.16 and 48.00 ± 0.28 mg eq β-carotene/100 g FW), respectively. Also, these samples demonstrated superior scavenging capacities for the ABTS and DPPH radicals, while the peel of Mauritia flexuosa exhibited the highest scavenging capacity for the oxygen radical (526.23 ± 2.08 µmol Trolox.g⁻¹). The hemolytic effect shows dose-dependent responses with IC50 values of 27.73 μg/mL for the Balcanes seeds and 1.27 μg/mL for the Florencia pulp. Furthermore, it was observed that treatment with the fruit-derived extracts effectively reduced the number of viable human colorectal cancer cells, using SW480 ATCC cell line, demonstrating a non-dose-dependent behavior compared to the control cells. Full article

Theobroma grandiflorum (copoazu) is a plant native to South America, widely cultivated in countries within the Amazon region. Its unique phytochemical composition imparts distinctive organoleptic properties, making it an exotic fruit. In this study, headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) combined with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to identify the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by copoazu. The optimal conditions for sample pretreatment were first determined using a Design of Experiments (DoE) approach. Analysis of the volatile profiles enabled the identification of 96 copoazu VOCs across three ripening stages. Of these, 79 VOCs were classified into chemical compound families using spectral correlation analysis across various libraries and databases, as well as molecular network analysis. Additionally, a volatilomic analysis was conducted to examine the changes in VOCs throughout the ripening process. Molecular network analysis showed that the VOCs emitted by the fruit are linked to the interconversion of compounds, which can be observed through the study of the metabolic pathways. These findings provide a comprehensive analysis of the copoazu volatilome, providing valuable insights into the organoleptic characteristics of this Amazonian fruit. Esters and terpenes such as α-terpineol, trans-4-methoxythujane, linalool, 2-methylbutyl butanoate, 3-methylbut-2-enoic acid, 2-methylpentyl ester, and 2-methylpropyl hexanoate were identified as potential biomarkers associated with the copoazu ripening process. Full article

Amazonian fruit residues like piquia shells are often discarded despite their antioxidant potential for sustainable cosmetic use. This study evaluated the photostability, phototoxicity, and photoprotection of hydroalcoholic piquia shell extract (PqSE) combined with UV filters in solutions and cosmetic formulations. PqSE formulations were photostable, even stabilizing photounstable UV filters. Phototoxicity tests (OECD TG 432) showed no phototoxic potential (MPE < 0.15) and reduction in the phototoxic potential of UV filters, while ocular irritation potential via HET-CAM assay indicated no irritant effects. The extract combined with UV filters enhanced protection against UVA-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, achieving 60.9% effectiveness, outperforming commercial photostabilizers. Against UVB radiation, it showed cellular viability above 80%, comparable to benzophenone-3. PqSE formulations exhibited a radical protection factor (RPF) nine times higher than controls and reduced radical production by 64% after visible/near-infrared (VIS/NIR) irradiation on porcine skin, compared to 38% for controls. Confocal Raman microspectroscopy showed penetration depths below 12 µm for all time points. This study highlights the potential of reusing fruit residues like PqSE as sustainable, effective ingredients in sunscreen formulations, offering enhanced photoprotection and reduced environmental waste. Full article

Euterpe oleracea Martius is the main palm tree species that contributes to the Amazonian economy and its pulp is a widely sought-after product in the market due to its nutritional and health benefits. However, high market demand has stimulated changes in land use practices of native stands, including management models that increase fruit productivity. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the socioeconomic aspects involved in the extractivism/local management practices of this species in a community in the Brazilian Amazon. We interviewed 10 families from the 15 ones that participate in the productive chain of this species in the community, with questions related to the socioeconomic aspects, management practices, and commercialization of E. oleracea. Its fruit collection in the community is an important activity that provides family income, with the majority of production being for pulp. Family labor is of fundamental importance for the maintenance of production and is presented in all steps of the production chain. The main advantage in Santa Luzia is its location near the main consumer markets, so community members should take advantage of this more effectively and stimulate the strengthening of the community’s local processing unit, mainly for the commercialization of the pulp, which constitutes the greatest contribution. Full article

The Amazon is one of the largest and most diverse biomes on the planet. Cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum (Willd. ex Spreng.) Schum) and bacuri (Platonia insignis Mart.) are Amazonian fruit species appreciated for their sensory characteristics and promising availability of bioactive compounds. However, high moisture levels (>80%) make these pulps susceptible to deterioration during storage. In this study, the oven-drying process was monitored to produce dry and more stable pulps. The process was monitored at 40 °C, 55 °C and 70 °C, and the bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity were determined as quality indicators. In general, drying at 70 °C for 340 min produced dried cupuaçu and bacuri pulps with high levels of total phenolic compounds: 288 and 652 mg gallic acid equivalents/100 g, respectively. The hygroscopic evaluation suggested that both of the dried pulps should be stored at a relative humidity of <40% to avoid rapid water adsorption and it is advised to carry out the oven-drying process until up to 12% moisture is reached for cupuaçu and 9% for bacuri to avoid unnecessary energy consumption. Thus, this study expands the potential of bacuri and cupuaçu pulps for application in food industries, contributing to the economic and social development of the Amazon region. Full article

The Amazonian shrub Myrciaria dubia (camu-camu) produces vitamin C-rich fruits of growing commercial interest. However, sustainable utilization requires assessment and protection of the genetic diversity of the available germplasm. This study aimed to develop and apply microsatellite markers to assess genetic diversity and construct a core collection of M. dubia germplasm from the Peruvian Amazon. Sixteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed using an enrichment approach. The evaluation of 336 genotypes from 43 accessions of the germplasm bank, originating from eight river basins, was conducted using these newly developed markers. Genetic diversity parameters, including observed and expected heterozygosity, were calculated. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) was performed to assess the distribution of genetic variation within and among accessions and river basins. Bayesian clustering analysis was employed to infer population structure. A core collection was constructed to maximize allelic richness. High genetic diversity was observed, with heterozygosity values ranging from 0.468 to 0.644 (observed) and 0.684 to 0.817 (expected) at the river basin level. AMOVA indicated significant genetic variation within (73–86%) compared to among (14–27%) accessions and river basins. Bayesian clustering detected ten genetic clusters, with several degrees of admixture among river basins, except for the genetically homogeneous Putumayo River basin. A core collection comprising 84 plant genotypes (25% of the full collection) was established, representing 90.82% of the overall allelic diversity. These results have important implications for M. dubia conservation strategies and breeding programs, in demonstrating a need for genetic connectivity between populations but preserving unique genetic resources in isolated basins. These results validate the expected levels of diversity and population subdivision in a crop and stress the need to secure genetically diverse germplasms, underscoring the importance of thorough genetic characterization for ex situ germplasm management. Full article

The rising demand for açaí berries in Amazonian Brazil and French Guiana generates a significant amount of waste, namely the fruit’s stone, which accounts for 80% of the dry fruit’s mass. Recently, various studies have explored the potential valorization of açaí waste in the civil engineering sector, including the functionalization of the fibers surrounding the stone and the multiphysics testing of composite materials based on açaí fibers and/or stones, treated or untreated. This literature review aims to provide an overview of the technology readiness levels (TRLs) of the existing techniques capable of reducing the environmental impact of both the cultivation and management of naturally occurring açaí. While the research to date is promising, it remains at the prototype stage, and the mass ratio of waste in composites, regardless of their type, limits addressing the underlying ecological problem of açaí waste processing. Further experimental investigations are required to improve the functionalization processes, enabling the use of higher proportions of fibers and/or stones in cementitious composites and their large-scale production. Full article

Abstract: The production of ethanol from wastes resulting from the process of growing Amazonian fruit is a little-explored approach, in which unknown chemical compounds are released with potential for industrial application. This work aimed to produce lignocellulosic ethanol from waste from Amazonian fruit farming and to chemically characterize the stages of the process. The wastes (açaí seeds, mango peel, and peach palm peel) were pretreated with 1% to 5% H₂SO₄ and 15% solids; the resulting solid fraction was enzymatically hydrolyzed with cellulase at 20 FPU, and the liquid fraction (liqueurs) and enzymatic and fermented hydrolysates produced were chemically characterized. Via HPLC for sugars and fermentation inhibitors, we determined the antioxidant capacities and total phenolic compounds. The liquors from the pretreatment of açaí seeds released the most significant amount of glucose, while in the hydrolyzed solid fractions, the mango peel produced the highest glucose content. Among the fermented liquors, the highest ethanol content was the açaí seed at 15 and 5% (0.183–0.276 g/L). High glucose levels were produced (0.09–25.05 g/L) and provided ethanol levels that can be improved (0.061–10.62 g/L), in addition to liquors and hydrolysates with interesting amounts of phenolic compounds (14.04–131.87 mg EAG/g DM) and high antioxidant capacities (417.78–2774.07 mmol TEAC/g), demonstrating that these wastes can have other applications in addition to ethanol production. Full article