Characterization of volatile compounds and their precursors in cereja do Rio Grande (Eugenia involucrata DC.) and grumixama (Eugenia brasiliensis LAM.), native fruits from Atlantic Forest

• Grant number: 18/21986-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: March 01, 2019
• End date: September 30, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Science
• Principal Investigator: Eduardo Purgatto
• Grantee: Florença Maria Borges
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 14/12606-3 - Fruits of the Atlantic Forest potentially functional potential: characterization, plant propagation and postharvest conservation, AP.TEM

Abstract

Although downzised and fragmented, the vast biome in the Atlantic Forest still houses thousands of plant species. As highlights, there are the frutiferous species, which highly valuable to food, nutritional and sociocultural safety. These fruits are being increasingly more consumed because they hold great nutritional and therapeuthic value. However, they are still underrated resources, and the lack of knowledge regarding their use, characteristics, preservation in natura and processing put at risk the trade and consumption potential these fruits have. Although there are only a few studies about them, the cereja-do-rio-grande (Eugenia involucrata DC.) and the grumixama (Eugenia brasiliensis Lam.) are very well known and appreciated by the local population, presenting a great functional and sensorial potential to be explored. One of the main characteristics fruits need to have in order to be accepted by the customers, is sensory quality. The aromatic properties of the fruits depend on the individual power of volatiles and their concentration, as well as the combination of other compounds. For this reason, this article aims to identify volatile metabolites which can grant the desired sensorial characteristics to the fruits from the Atlantic Forest (cereja-do-rio grande e grumixama). Considering this project is part of a Theme Project sponsored by FAPESP (Process 201412606-3), the current goal is to effectively contribute in the development of the many areas of production of these fruits. By identifying the aroma and composition of these fruits, it would be possible to gather data, which would be a starting point for other researchers to work in the search of necessary characteristics for trading success. (AU)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

BORGES, Florença Maria. Volatile compounds and precursors characterization of the Grumixama (Eugenia brasiliensis LAM.) and Cereja-do-Rio-Grande (Eugenia involucrata DC.), atlantic forest native fruits. 2021. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Conjunto das Químicas (IQ e FCF) (CQ/DBDCQ) São Paulo.