Bioactive compounds of Brazilian strawberry cultivars (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.): characterization and bioavailability determination of ellagic acid derivatives

• Grant number: 05/02055-0
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Effective date (Start): May 01, 2006
• Effective date (End): November 30, 2008
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Science
• Principal Investigator: Maria Ines Genovese Rodriguez
• Grantee: Marcia da Silva Pinto
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Strawberries are an excellent source of bioactive compounds such as ellagic acid derivatives and flavonoids. These compounds, along with vitamin C, are responsible for the high antioxidant capacity of the fruit, a property related to its potential of protection against chronic-degenerative diseases. The objectives of this project are the characterization of Brazilian strawberry cultivars in relation to phenolics, anthocyanins, ellagic acid (free and total), and vitamin C contents, flavonoids composition and content, and antioxidant capacity. The most promising cultivar will be used for ellagitannins purification and structural characterization, evaluation of their antioxidant and antiproliferative capacities, and determination of the in vivo and in vitro bioavailability. Also, among the objectives is the optimization of a method for the determination of free and total ellagic acid content. (AU)