Camu-camu bioactive compounds extraction by ecofriendly sequential processes (ultrasound assisted extraction and reverse osmosis)

Technical feasibility of an ecofriendly sequential process (ultrasound assisted extraction and reverse osmosis, or UAE and RO) was evaluated in order to obtain a functional Camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) product with high vitamin C content. Water was used in the assisted extraction by probe ultrasound (UAE) in an experimental design to evaluate different times, amplitudes and temperatures. The best region for total phenolic (TP) and vitamin C (VC) extraction was 5 min, 60 degrees C and 30% amplitude. Following extraction, the sample was concentrated by reverse osmosis (R25a, 500 Da, polyamide, and 5 bar area 3 ft2), obtaining a relatively low fouling of 19%. At the end of the sequential process (by HPLC-DAD/UV vis), was obtained a concentrated camu-camu (CC) with high Vitamin C (52.01 +/- 0.889 mg/g) and cyanidin-3-glucoside, being respectively 7.0 and 4.5 times higher; also the concentration of phenolic compounds was increased by 3.2 times (25.798 mg GAE/g), and anthocyanins in 6.5 times (66.169 mg of cyanidin-3-glucoside/100 g) as well as high antioxidant activity by all three methods evaluated (increased 3.0, 4.6 and 2.38 times for ABTS, DPPH, FRAP, respectively) by comparing the CC with the initial extract (CS). Twenty compounds were identified by UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS, highlighting quercetin, gallic acid, p- coumaric, ellagic acid and cyanidin-3-glucoside, and at the first time alnusiin was detected in camu-camu. Therefore, the combination of ultrasound assisted extraction and reverse osmosis can be a promising profitable alternative in order to apply bioactive compounds in food, nutraceuticals and cosmetic matrices, bringing their benefits to consumers.