NUTRITIONAL AND BIOACTIVE COMPOSITION FROM CUPUAÇU SHELL POWDER

Cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum) is a fruit tree native to the Amazon Rainforest, recognized for its high economic potential. In 2024-2025, 21.240 tons of the fruit were produced. The shell generated during cupuaçu pulp processing represents approximately 45% of the total fruit mass and is a relatively unexplored source of bioactive compounds and value-added products. When improperly discarded, this residue may pose environmental concerns. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the nutritional composition, total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, total carotenoid content, and retinol activity equivalents of cupuaçu shell powder (CSP). The shells were dried (45°C, 48 h) and ground into powder. Proximate composition was determined. Carbohydrates by difference, energy by Atwater, protein (6.25). Bioactive compounds were extracted using an ethanol:water solution (50:50, v/v) on a shaking table (60 min) at 25 °C, followed by centrifugation (4000 rpm, 15 min). The supernatant was collected in a volumetric flask. The extraction was repeated, and the supernatants were combined in a 50 mL volumetric flask. The volume was adjusted with the extraction solvent, and the final extract was filtered through filter paper. Total phenolic content was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric assay, whereas antioxidant capacity was evaluated by the DPPH• radical scavenging assay. Total carotenoids were extracted with acetone and partitioned into petroleum ether. After acetone removal by washing with distilled water and dehydration with anhydrous Na₂SO₄, the extract was filtered through glass wool, brought to volume with petroleum ether, and quantified by UV-Vis spectrophotometry at 450 nm. Retinol activity equivalents (RAE) were calculated according to the Institute of Medicine (2001). CSP on a dry basis (DB) contained 6.94% moisture, 3.15% ash, 8.41% protein, 0.46% lipids, 87.98% dietary fiber, 0.00% carbohydrates and an energy value of 37.78 kcal/100 g. These results indicate that CSP is a promising food ingredient, being classified as high in dietary fiber and a source of protein (>25% of the Daily Reference Values with value ≥ 6.25 g/100 g and >10% of the Daily Reference Values with value ≥ 5.0 g/100 g, respectively, in accordance with ANVISA Resolution No. 75/2020), and low in lipids, carbohydrates, and energy. CSP also exhibited a total phenolic content of 813.05 ± 6.52 mg GAE/100 g DB, DPPH• antioxidant capacity of 38.96 ± 0.29 μmol TE/g DB, total carotenoids of 35.04 ± 5.26 µg β-carotene equivalents/100 g DB, and 2.92 µg retinol activity equivalents/100 g. Overall, CSP stands out as a source of nutrients, phenolic compounds, and provitamin A carotenoids, which are associated with reduced oxidative stress and a lower risk of chronic diseases. Considering that many diets fail to provide adequate macro/micronutrient intake, CSP emerges as a promising functional ingredient with potential applications in the food industry.

Funding: Embrapa Agroindústria de Alimentos and INT.