BERTALHA-CORAÇÃO: PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL

Non-conventional food plants (PANC) have gained prominence for their nutritional characteristics, functional properties and potential for diversification of the food matrix, especially in contexts of biodiversity appreciation. Basella alba L., popularly known as bertalha-coração, is an edible leafy vegetable, traditionally grown in domestic systems, whose scientific characterization is still incipient. The present study aimed to characterize physicochemically the leaves of B. alba and to evaluate their content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity. The samples were obtained at the EPAMIG Non-Conventional Vegetable Bank, in Prudente de Morais – MG and submitted to analysis at the Laboratory of Bioactive Compounds and Food Conservation of UFSJ – Sete Lagoas Campus. Moisture, pH and total titratable acidity were determined according to the protocols of the Adolfo Lutz Institute. The total phenolic content was quantified by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The flavonoid and anthocyanin contents were determined by UV-Vis spectrophotometry, with readings at 374 and 535 nm, respectively. Total carotenoids were quantified by spectrophotometry after extraction with petroleum ether. The antioxidant capacity was measured by the DPPH radical method, using Trolox as standard. The results indicated moisture content of 89.55% ± 0.62, pH of 6.26 ± 0.14 and total titratable acidity of 0.09% of citric acid. The contents of total phenolic compounds were 2.73 ± 0.06 mg EAG/100 g (dry basis), flavonoids of 752.73 ± 3.71 mg/100 g, anthocyanins of 110.29 ± 0.92 mg/100 g and carotenoids of 97.80 μg/g of sample (all on dry basis). The antioxidant activity was 1200.07 µmol TE/g (dry basis), revealing a high capacity to neutralize free radicals. These results indicate a high content of bioactive compounds, especially flavonoids and carotenoids, suggesting a relevant functional and antioxidant potential of the bertalha-coração. The data obtained demonstrate the functional potential of the species, highlighting the bertalha-coração as a promising alternative for the development of functional food products, the inclusion in institutional feeding programs and the valorization of PANC in the agrifood chain.