Patrícia Gotardo Machado

Brazil has one of the greatest biodiversities in the world, with emphasis on the fruit family Myrtaceae, to which the native fruits guabijú (Myrcianthes pungens (O.Berg) D.Legrand), guabiroba (Campomanesia xanthocarpa (Mart.) O.Berg), and araçá (Psidium cattleyanum Sabine) belong. These fruits are promising sources of phenolic compounds, mainly phenolic acids, flavonoids, and tannins, with high antioxidant capacity and potential health benefits. This integrative review aimed to gather and analyze data on the phenolic composition of these fruits, as well as the analytical methods used for their extraction and characterization. The reviewed literature reveals that there is still a lack of in-depth studies, although some studies have already characterized the phenolic compounds in different parts of the fruits. The efficient extraction of phenolics, especially bound ones, requires techniques such as acid or alkaline hydrolysis. For their identification and quantification, the use of liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) with mass analyzers such as triple quadrupole (QqQ) and quadrupole-time-of-flight (QToF), stands out. Knowledge of these fruits contributes to the development of functional ingredients and the conservation and appreciation of Brazilian biodiversity, thereby reinforcing the importance of expanding research on these fruits and exploring potential applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.

Several studies investigate the use of bioactive compounds, especially those derived from the olive leaf, highlighted by its richness in these components. The extraction of these compounds generally uses conventional techniques, but there is a search for more economical and sustainable alternatives. The olive leaf is recognized for its high antioxidant capacity; however, factors such as temperature, pH, light and oxygen can compromise the bioactive extracts. Microencapsulation appears as a solution, offering conservation and controlled release of compounds. This technique, notable for its easy handling, economic viability and ability to delay degradation, is fundamental to preserving the effectiveness of the extracts. The article aimed to review research on the extraction of bioactive compounds from olive leaves using innovative technologies, in addition to elucidating important aspects on the use of spray-drying microencapsulation technology for the protection and controlled release of these compounds.

Araçá is a Brazilian native fruit belonging to the Myrtaceae family. Although some studies already prove its health benefits, it is still necessary to explore the phenolic compounds in all its parts separately. This study aimed to investigate the free, esterified, glycosylated, and insoluble phenolics in two morphotypes of araçá, red and yellow, evaluating peel, pulp, and seed separately, using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-QqQ-MS/MS). Fourteen phenolics and five anthocyanins were quantified in both morphotypes. The peels presented the highest contents, followed by the pulp and seeds. Red araçá stood out over the yellow one only in the phenolic fractions resulting from the peel, with the yellow araçá being superior in the phenolic fractions of the pulp and seed. The highest antioxidant capacities were detected for the pulp-esterified phenolics (498.3 µmol g⁻¹) and peel-free phenolics (446.7 µmol g⁻¹) of yellow araçá. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated specific markers to differentiate the samples. All parts of the araçá proved to be a rich source of phenolic compounds, in different fractions, mainly in the peel. This information will be beneficial to stimulate the consumption of native fruits and their possible use in the development of new products.