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In this study, the profile of the bioactive compounds of sapucaia nut (Lecythis pisonis Cambess) and its by-products have been investigated. The phenolic profile by LC-ESI-MS/MS, the total phenolic content, the condensed tannins and the antioxidant activity of the sapucaia nut and shell were determined. 14 phenolic compounds were identified in the sapucaia nut extract, primarily phenolic acids and flavonoids. Catechin, epicatechin, myricetin, ellagic acid and ferulic acid presented significant correlation to the antioxidant activity. The sapucaia shell contained 22 phenolic compounds, 13 of which were quantified. The sapucaia shell extract showed a high content of total phenolic compounds, a high condensed tannins content, and high antioxidant activity. The higher antioxidant activity of the shell can be associated with a higher content of phenolics. Overall, it can be concluded that the sapucaia nut is a raw material rich in phenolic compounds that present high antioxidant activity. The nuts and the cake may be used as a promising raw material for the food industry, while the shells could be an alternative source of natural antioxidants. Further use in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry may also be envisaged.

Ultrasonic-assisted extraction combined with statistical tools (factorial design, response surface methodology and kinetics) were used to evaluate the effects of the experimental conditions of temperature, solid-to-solvent ratio, ethanol concentration and time for the extraction of the total phenolic content from pecan nut shells. The optimal conditions for the aqueous and hydroalcoholic extract (with 20% v/v of ethanol) were 60 and 80 °C; solid to solvent ratio of 30 mL·g−1 (for both) and extraction time of 35 and 25 min, respectively. Using these optimize extraction conditions, 426 and 582 mg GAE·g−1 of phenolic compounds, from the aqueous and hydroalcoholic phases respectively, were obtained. In addition, the analysis of the phenolic compounds using the LC–ESI-MS/MS system allowed the identification of 29 phenolic compounds, 24 of which had not been reported in literature for this raw material yet.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ripening on the individual phenolic compounds, total anthocyanins and antioxidant capacity of jucara fruit. The color, moisture, total protein, total lipids, fatty acids and mineral contents were also evaluated. A total of eleven phenolic compounds were identified during the ripening of jucara fruit by HPLC–ESI-MS/MS. Rutin and quercetin showed highest levels at stages 6 and 7, with 0.27 to 0.28 mg 100 g− 1 and 1.25 to 1.48 mg 100 g− 1, respectively. The skin color of the fruit during ripening changed from red to black, favored by the accumulation of anthocyanins (507.57–634.26 mg cyanidin 3-glucoside 100 g− 1 fresh matter). In addition, these compounds (quercetin, rutin and anthocyanins) showed positive correlation with the antioxidant capacity, which explains the high antioxidant potential of jucara fruit observed in DPPH and FRAP assays. The results revealed that the pulp of the jucara fruit collected at the end of ripening (stages 5 to 7) also presents adequate nutritional potential for consumption, providing higher levels of protein, lipids, oleic and linoleic acids, potassium, calcium, iron and manganese.

A simple method for the screening and determination of short chain aliphatic carboxylic acids in Brazilian sugarcane spirits by indirect capillary zone electrophoresis was developed and validated according to Eurachem guidelines. The separations were performed in a coated capillary (Ltot 73 cm × Ldet 64.5 cm) with 2-hydroxy-propyltrimethyl-ammonium chloride chitosan. The background electrolyte was optimized using Peakmaster® software and was composed of 21 mmol L− 1 β-alanine and 10 mmol L− 1 3,5 dinitrobenzoic acid, at pH 3.6, with an applied voltage of − 30 kV. The method was validated for formic, lactic and acetic acids. Linearity was demonstrated and significant matrix effects were not observed at between 2.8 and 144 mg L− 1. The recovery (means of 89.6–117.9%) was evaluated, and ANOVA was carried out to determine the RSD values for the repeatability (2.63–8.35%) and reproducibility (1.92–6.62%). The LOD and LOQ ranged from 0.69 to 2.70 and 2.76 to 8.11 mg L− 1, respectively. The concentrations detected in the samples were 0.19–106.43 mg per 100 g.

Geopropolis is a stingless bee product compose mainly by soil, presenting complex composition geopropolis has bioactive compounds that will depend on geographical characteristics as well bee species, changing their chemical and biological properties. Thus the study aims to evaluate the solubility and chemical stability of geopropolis extracts, through radical capture capacity and reducing capacity. Besides, analysis of free and bonded phenolic compounds, and mineral composition. Geopropolis samples of Melipona mondury, Melipona quadrifasciata, Melipona scutellaris, Melipona seminigra and Tetragonisca angustula were analyzed. Both reducing compounds with a maximum of 2.96% GAE and free radical scavenging potential with a maximum of 5.84% AAE and 8.58% TE increases over 30 days of storage time. Also, methanolic extracts released at least 51% more reducing compounds and exhibited at least 27% more free radical scavenging potential in comparison to ethanolic extracts. The polyphenolic profile shows 31 compounds after acid and alkaline hydrolysis as cinnamic acid, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, aromadendrin, vanillin. For the mineral composition, sixteen minerals were found among essential and non-essential, differentiating each sample by chemometric PCA and HCA analysis according to geographic region. Geopropolis is a potential source of natural compounds that could enhance food quality, increasing the bioactive content and preventing oxygen damages in foods, likewise for pharmacological application for healthcare.

This article reports a study on the antioxidant activity of jucara (Euterpe edulis M.) (defatted pulp and oil) and the cytoprotective effect in terms of oxidative damage induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBH) in a Vero cell culture. Simultaneously, HPLC–ESI-MS/MS was used to determine the phenolic composition of defatted pulp jucara extracts. The defatted pulp extract exhibited stronger free radical scavenging ability in 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ion ferric (FRAP) and β-carotene systems than the lipid extract. The predominance of phenolic acids (benzoic, caffeic, chlorogenic, ferulic, protocatechuic, syringic, vanillic and ρ-coumaric) and flavonols (quercetin and rutin) was observed in the extracts by direct infusion–ESI-MS/MS in negative ion mode. Jucara extracts (1.5, 4.5, 9 μg mL− 1) had a significant protective effect against TBH-induced oxidative stress in Vero cells compared to the gallic acid control. These results provide novel information on the jucara fruit (E. edulis M.) regarding the relation between the phenolic compound composition and antioxidant and cytoprotective effects.

The study systematically investigated the nutritional potential of two different growing populations of Sarcocornia ambigua (salt-tolerant) in terms of nutrients, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activities. The results revealed that the moisture content represented the largest single component (88.15% and 88.57%) in the proximate composition of both samples of S. ambigua. The mineral present in highest amounts in both samples (on a fresh matter basis) was sodium, followed by potassium, magnesium and then calcium. The antioxidant activity for samples measured by DPPH ranged from 34.64 to 135.83 μmol TEAC 100 g− 1 and by FRAP from 31.92 to 170.14 μmol Fe+ 2 100 g− 1. The fifteen phenolic compounds identified in each extract by HPLC–ESI-MS/MS reveal the presence of one coumarin (scopoletin), one phenolic aldehyde (syringaldehyde), eight phenolic acids (p-coumaric, cinnamic, vanillic, ferulic, caffeic, syringic, sinapic, and chlorogenic acids) and five flavonoids (galangin, quercetin, naringin, kaempferol and isoquercitrin). This information can be useful in determining the possible role of the compounds identified which can participate in the prevention of different health disorders. Further studies are needed to evaluate the bioabsorption and bioavailability of the compounds present in S. ambigua, as well as the interactions between them, after consumption. In summary, the findings of this study highlight the potential of this halophyte as a valuable source of natural antioxidants and nutrients for use in the food and pharmaceutical industries.