Mineralogical Composition and Bioactive Molecules in the Pulp and Seed of Patauá (Oenocarpus bataua Mart.): A Palm from the Amazon

Abstract

The Patauá (Oenocarpus bataua Mart.) also known as Bataua or Patuá, is a palm native from the Amazon, consumed among the local populations as well as the wine obtained from its pulp with high energy value. It is a monocle palm tree reaching between 4-26 meters tall, distributed in the Amazon rainforest both in the wet forest of floodplains. The objective of this work was to study the proximal, mineralogical composition, as well as the total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of pulp and seed of Patauá. As for mineral composition, the high concentrations of sodium for the seed (84.21 mg 100 g-1) and pulp (71.21 mg 100 g-1), as well as magnesium values of 48.31 mg 100 g-1 for the seed and 41.23 mg 100 g-1 for the pulp. Among the micronutrients, the high concentration of iron in the pulp is 1.84 mg 100 g-1 for the pulps, and the manganese was 1.10 mg 100 g-1 for the seeds. The total phenolic compounds found in the seeds were relatively higher than for the pulps with values of 356.12 ± 0.12 mg GAEq g-1 and 321.03 ± 0.43 mg GAEq g-1, as well as the more significant antioxidant activity for the seeds than for the pulp. Carotenoids concentration in the seeds found of 2.52 ± 0.04 mg mL-1 and vitamin C concentrations were also quantified in trace concentrations, presenting the fruits of Patauá high biotechnological interest in the food and cosmetic industry.