Antioxidant capacity of anthocyanins from acerola genotypes

English. Anthocyanins from 12 acerola genotypes cultivated at the Active Germplasm Bank at Federal Rural University of Pernambuco were isolated for antioxidant potential evaluation. The antioxidant activity and radical scavenging capacity of the anthocyanin isolates were measured according to the β-carotene bleaching method and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay, respectively. The antioxidant activity varied from 25.58 to 47.04% at 0.2 mg.mL-1, and it was measured using the β-carotene bleaching method. The free radical scavenging capacity increased according to the increase in concentration and reaction time by the DPPH assay. At 16.7 μg.mL-1 concentration and after 5 minutes and 2 hours reaction time, the percentage of scavenged radicals varied from 36.97 to 63.92% and 73.27 to 94.54%, respectively. Therefore, the antioxidant capacity of acerola anthocyanins varied amongst acerola genotypes and methods used. The anthocyanins present in this fruit may supply substantial dietary source of antioxidant which may promote health and produce disease prevention effects.

Portuguese. Antocianinas de acerolas, isoladas de 12 genótipos cultivados no Banco Ativo de Germoplasma da Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, foram testadas quanto à atividade antioxidante e à capacidade de sequestrar radicais livres através do sistema modelo β-caroteno/ácido linoleico e do radical livre 1,1-difenil-2-picrilhidrazila (DPPH), respectivamente. A atividade antioxidante das antocianinas, na concentração de 0,2 mg.mL-1, variou de 28,58 a 47,07%. A capacidade de sequestrar radical livre DPPH aumentou com a concentração e tempo de reação. Na concentração 16,7 μg.mL-1 e após 5 minutos e 2 horas de reação, o percentual variou de 36,97 a 63,92% e de 73,27 a 94,54%, respectivamente. Portanto, a capacidade antioxidante das antocianinas extraídas de acerola variou entre os genótipos e o método utilizado. As antocianinas presentes nesse fruto são uma fonte dietética de antioxidante e assim podem atuar na promoção da saúde e na prevenção de doenças.