COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE JABOTICABA PEEL EXTRACT: COLOR ATTRIBUTES AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

The high polyphenol concentration in Plinia jaboticaba peel has been associated with positive effects in inflammatory-triggering disorders, as indicated by preclinical studies. Particularly, patients with inflammatory bowel diseases may benefit from natural treatments capable of inducing intestinal repair. Currently, there is a patent-derived jaboticaba-based product in the market with alleged health implications. Therefore, the study’s main objective was to analyze the color attributes and composition of a commercially available jaboticaba peel extract. The extract was analyzed for moisture content using infrared light. Color characteristics were determined by the L*a*b* method using a colorimeter. Total phenolic content was measured by the Folin-Ciocalteu and Folin-Denis methods. Sugars and polyphenols were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a refractive index or diode-array detector, respectively. Results are shown per 100 g of extract (dry weight). Moisture was at low levels, more precisely 5.43 ± 1.09%. The extract shown L*, a*, b*, c*_ab, and h_ab values around ~58, 16, 4, 16, and 14, indicating a moderately light sample, with noticeable red/magenta component, and reasonably saturated. Usually, jaboticaba peel-based products have lower L* and h_ab values, meaning darker and redder tons. The extract showed contents of 3.91 ± 0.02% of glucose and 5.05 ± 0.00% of fructose, while maltose was not detected (<0.20%). Total phenolic content varied from ~850 to 1500 mg/100 g, depending on the extraction method or reducing reagent used. Such results put the sample in the classification of low to moderate for polyphenol source. The chromatographic results revealed that the extract is mostly a source of ellagic acid (87.65 ± 1.90) and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (44.15 ± 0.14%), having lower contents of gallic acid (7.90 ± 0.14) and delphinidin-3-O-glucoside (0.93 ± 0.02 mg/100 g). Levels of ellagic acid were surprisingly higher than cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, considering that the latter is usually more prominent in jaboticaba peel. Currently, our research group is carrying out a clinical trial with ulcerative colitis patients (CAAE 85319624.1.0000.5404). Our goal is to understand the extract’s safety, its effects on intestinal symptomatology, inflammatory mediators, and colonic microbiota. Study participants are receiving a dosage of 50 g of extract per day through sachets, which provides at least 400 mg of total polyphenols, 41 mg of ellagic acid, and 21 mg of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside. In conclusion, the extract showed a less bioactive potential than expected, but if manipulated at a rightful dosage and proven safe, it could be suitable and potentially elicit benefits in clinical trials.