Functional and nutritional properties of selected Amazon fruits: A review

This review reports the nutritional, phytochemical compounds and biological properties of 4 fruits commonly consumed by people living in Amazon region, namely Birib acute accent a (Rollinia mucosa Jacq.), Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.), Pupunha (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) and Tucuma tilde (Astrocaryum aculeatum Meyer). These fruits have been high held nutritional, functional and economic potential and contribute to the daily intake of nutrients, energy and bioactive compounds by people living in Amazon rainforest region. Phytochemical compounds with biological properties were detected in these fruits, for instance (but not limited to), annonaceous acetogenins in Birib acute accent a, geraniin and corilagin in Rambutan, rutin and catechin in Pupunha, and beta-carotene and flavonoids in Tucuma tilde . The biological properties of Birib acute accent a, Rambutan, Pupunha and Tucuma tilde have been evaluated by in vitro and in vivo assays, especially antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Therefore, these Amazonian fruits can be exploited by the food industry as a food and therapeutic plant-material to develop valuable products, such as medicine products and can be used as sources for obtaining compounds for the food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical applications.

Automated summary

This review discusses the nutritional, phytochemical compounds, and biological properties of four fruits commonly consumed in the Amazon region. These fruits are rich in bioactive compounds and have antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, making them suitable for food and therapeutic plant-material development.