Application of High-Intensity Ultrasound on Acerola (Malpighia emarginata) Juice Supplemented with Fructooligosaccharides and Its Effects on Vitamins, Phenolics, Carotenoids, and Antioxidant Capacity

Acerola is considered a superfruit, rich in vitamin C, phenolics, and carotenoids, and having a high antioxidant capacity. However, it is poor in oligosaccharides. Ultrasound technology can improve the bioavailability of several bioactive compounds, improving the nutritional content of several fruit juices. This work evaluated the use of ultrasound processing on acerola juice supplemented with fructooligosaccharides (FOS; 1% w/w) and its effects on the availability of vitamins, carotenoids, and phenolic content. The antioxidant capacity of the juice was correlated with its bioactive contents. The study evaluated the effects of important sonication parameters, such as ultrasonic power density, processing time, and processing temperature. The application of ultrasound was efficient in increasing the availability of some vitamins. As a result, ultrasound application increased the availability of vitamins B-1, B-3, B-5, C, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds. This improvement increased the antioxidant activity of the FOS-enriched acerola juice.

Automated summary

Acerola is a superfruit with high antioxidant capacity due to its richness in vitamin C, phenolics, and carotenoids, but it lacks oligosaccharides. This study evaluated the use of ultrasound technology to improve the bioavailability of bioactive compounds in acerola juice supplemented with fructooligosaccharides (FOS). Ultrasound treatment increased the availability of vitamins, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds, resulting in enhanced antioxidant activity of FOS-enriched acerola juice.