Araticum (Annona crassiflora Mart.) sob uma perspectiva de biorrefinaria: aproveitamento integral do fruto na produção de alimentos

Abstract

Araticum (*Annona crassiflora* Mart.), a species native to the Brazilian Cerrado, is a fruit rich in reducing sugars, fiber, minerals, lipids, bioactive compounds, and vitamins A and C. Despite its strong nutritional appeal, its application in the food industry remains underexplored. Therefore, this study aimed to link the araticum fruit to the biorefinery concept and determine its commercial potential by developing food products from its pulp, peel, and seeds. The study was conducted using araticum fruits from the far western region of Bahia. The pulp was used to produce vinegar, the peel was processed into flour, and the seeds were used to extract fixed and essential oils. The products were evaluated based on yield/recovery, chemical composition, and physicochemical or microbiological characteristics. The pulp vinegar exhibited an acidic profile (4.51 ± 0.15 g/100 mL expressed as acetic acid; pH = 3.20 ± 0.16) and low density (1.00 ± 0.01 g/cm³), with moderate mineral (2.28 ± 0.04 g/100 mL) and solids (14.64 ± 0.02 g/L) content. Microbiological analysis showed a complete absence of coliforms and heterotrophic colonies, suggesting a good level of microbiological safety. However, high yeast counts were observed—particularly in one sample, which reached 2.9 × 10⁷ CFU/mL—exceeding the limit permitted by Brazilian regulations and rendering that sample unfit for consumption. The peel flour showed a yield of 69.57% (w/w), with 98.39% (w/w) of the particles measuring less than 1.19 mm. According to the literature, this product can be rich in bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, alkaloids, and acetogenins, demonstrating antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective potential, among others. Despite its broad functional activity, there are conflicting reports regarding its toxicity, indicating a need for further studies. Being naturally gluten-free, it represents an innovative alternative to wheat flour, although the particle size requires reduction. Extraction of the fixed oil using anhydrous ethanol resulted in recovery rates of 27.45% (w/w) (Goldfish method) and 30.53% (w/w) (Soxhlet method). Although ethanol also extracts carbohydrates and water, it is a safe and sustainable alternative to toxic solvents like hexane. Meanwhile, hydrodistillation of the seeds yielded 0.09% (w/w) of essential oil, composed of sesquiterpenes—specifically selinenes (~62.87%, w/w)—which, according to the literature, possess antifungal, antibacterial, and pharmaceutical potential. The resulting hydrolat warrants further study. Therefore, *araticum* shows great potential for application in a food-based biorefinery, enabling its full utilization and the generation of value-added products.