'Jatoba do cerrado' (Hymenaea stigonocarpa): chemical composition, carotenoids and vitamins in an exotic fruit from the Brazilian Savannah

Introduction. The fruits of the Brazilian Savannah have potential to improve the human diet, income generation and, consequently, the quality of life for socially vulnerable families. Among the native fruits of the Savannah, one that stands out is the jatoba do cerrado' (Hymenaea stigonoccapa). Therefore, the physical characteristics, chemical composition (titratable acidity, soluble solids, pH, moisture, ash, proteins, lipids and total dietary fiber), occurrence and content of vitamin C (ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acids), carotenoids (a-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin and lycopene), vitamin E (alpha, beta, gamma and delta-tocopherols and tocotrienols) and folates (tetrahydrofolate, 5-methyltetrahy-drofolate and 5-formyltetrahydrofolate) were evaluated in pulp of jatoba do cerrado' from the Brazilian Savannah. Materials and methods. The length, diameter, mass and fruit yield were evaluated. The titratable acidity was determined by volumetric neutralization; pH by potentiometry; soluble solids by refractometry; moisture using an oven; ash using a muffle furnace; proteins by the micro-Kjeldhal method; total dietary fiber by the gravimetric non-enzymatic method; and lipids with a Soxhlet extractor. Vitamin C and carotenoids were analyzed by HPLC-DAD, and vitamin E and folates by HPLC with fluorescence detection. Results and discussion. The jatoba do cerrado' presented low pulp yield (17.1%) and moisture (8.8 g.100 g(-1)), and high contents of total dietary fiber (44.3 g.100 g(-1)), protein (5.6 mg 100 g(-1)) and energy (193.0 kcal.100 g(-1)). The fruit presented reduced contents of carotenoids and vitamin C [(0.4 and 8.9) mg.100 g(-1), respectively]. The contents of vitamin E and folates [(53.5 and 495.5) mu g.100 g(-1), respectively] were higher than in other widely consumed fruits. Conclusion. The Iatoba do cerrado' is a source of vitamin C, good source of folates, and excellent source of dietary fiber. Due to its nutritional value, 'jatoba do cerrado' is an important dietary alternative; thus, its consumption should be encouraged.