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Changes in phenolic composition, ascorbic acid andantioxidant capacity in cashew apple (Anacardium occidentale L.)during ripening

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 July 2012

André Gordon
Affiliation:
Univ. Bonn, Dep. Nutr. Food Sci., Endenicher Allee 11-13, 53115 Bonn, Germany. f.marx@uni-bonn.de
Mirko Friedrich
Affiliation:
Univ. Bonn, Dep. Nutr. Food Sci., Endenicher Allee 11-13, 53115 Bonn, Germany. f.marx@uni-bonn.de
Virgínia Martins da Matta
Affiliation:
Embrapa Food Technol., Av. das Américas POB 29.501, 23020-470 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Carlos Farley Herbster Moura
Affiliation:
Embrapa Trop. Agroind., Rua Dra. Sara Mesquita, 2270, Pici, 60511-110 Fortaleza, Brazil
Friedhelm Marx*
Affiliation:
Univ. Bonn, Dep. Nutr. Food Sci., Endenicher Allee 11-13, 53115 Bonn, Germany. f.marx@uni-bonn.de
*
*Correspondence and reprints

Abstract

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Introduction. Cashew appleis a rich source of sugars, vitamin C and polyphenols. In spiteof its nutritional value, this pseudo-fruit has been left unexploitedto a large extent in the crop-growing areas. Some reports of thechemical characteristics of cashew apple have been published. However,nothing is known about the changes in the composition of its bioactive compoundsin the course of ripening. Materials and methods. Cashewapples at three different maturity stages were examined with respectto their ascorbic acid content, phenolic compounds and antioxidantcapacity. Ascorbic acid was quantified by HPLC. Phenolic compoundswere identified and quantified by using HPLC-ESI-MS/MS by comparisonwith authentic standard compounds. The antioxidant capacity wasmeasured by TOSC assay against peroxyl radicals and peroxynitrite. Results. Amounts of identified phenolic compounds werethe highest in unripe cashew apple and decreased in the course ofripening. Myricetin 3-O-rhamnoside, quercetin 3-O-galactoside and quercetin3-O-rhamnoside turned out to be the main flavonoids in all maturitystages. The antioxidant capacity and the concentration of ascorbicacid increased in the course of ripening. The antioxidant activitywas considerably influenced by ascorbic acid, more than by the content ofphenolic compounds. Conclusion. This study provides, forthe first time, information on changes in bioactive compounds andthe antioxidant capacity in cashew apple during ripening. A dietaryor technological exploitation of ascorbic acid is useful in theripe condition. The unripe pseudo-fruits are a good source for the extractionof polyphenols with regard to possible food technological purposesor the preparation of food supplements.

Information

Type
Original article
Copyright
© 2012 Cirad/EDP Sciences