EVALUATING THE POTENTIAL OF DEEP EUTECTIC SOLVENTS (DESS) AS A SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE FOR OBTAINING BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS FROM TATURUBÁ (POUTERIA MACROPHYLLA)

The taturubá (Pouteria macrophylla), a fruit native to the Amazon, is rich in phenolic compounds with antioxidant properties. This study evaluated different extraction methods and deep eutectic solvents to quantify the bioactive substances present in the taturubá, followed by encapsulation by extrusion and ionotropic gelation techniques. Chromatographic analysis revealed that the peel and pulp are rich in sugars, mainly sucrose (1.659 g/100 g) and fructose (1.545 g/100 g), as well as iron (26.748 mg/100 g). High levels of gallic acid (9.446 µg/g) and syringic acid (2.462 µg/g) were also detected. The seed is a significant source of protein, containing essential amino acids such as leucine (0.61 g/100 g), lysine (0.36 g/100 g), and valine (0.44 g/100 g). Three deep eutectic solvents (choline chloride+acetic acid, choline chloride+lactic acid, and menthol+lactic acid) were tested together with 80% ethanol, using maceration and ultrasonic bath methods for compound extraction. Choline chloride+acetic acid and 80% ethanol were the most effective, with ultrasonic bath extraction proving to be the most efficient. The superior performance of these treatments is likely due to their ability to efficiently break down cell walls, improving the solubilization of phenolic compounds. Encapsulation of bioactive compounds was successfully achieved through extrusion and ionotropic gelation, forming uniform microcapsules with moderate encapsulation efficiency. Microcapsules exposed to light during storage showed greater reduction of phenolics compared to those stored in the dark. In conclusion, taturubá has significant potential for the extraction of bioactive compounds, which can be used as natural antioxidants in food preservation, as active ingredients in pharmaceutical formulations targeting oxidative stress or as additives in cosmetics for skin protection. Future research will focus on optimizing encapsulation efficiency and exploring alternative storage conditions to enhance the stability of phenolic compounds.