Nutritional, Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cyclanthera pedata, an Andinean Fruit and Products Derived from Them

Abstract

There is an increasing interest in food plant with health-giving effects. The aim of this research was to evaluate the phytochemical and nutraceutical profiles of Cyclanthera pedata fruits, a native fruit of the Andean region used by Incas communities called achojcha. Soluble protein (SP), total sugar (TS), free phenolic compounds (FPC), ascorbic acid (AA), total monomeric anthocyanin (TMA), condensed and hydrolizable tannin (CT, HT) were evaluated by sprectro- photometric methods in fresh fruits with and without heating and in flour obtained from fruits. Multielemental composi- tion by ICP-MS was done. Antioxidant activity (AOA) was determined by ABTS and Linoleic acid--carotene meth- ods. The inhibitory capacity of LOX, a pro-inflammatory enzyme was also analyzed. The achojcha fresh fruits and achojcha flour showed low amount calories. The flour was high in potassium (7400 mg·K/100 g) and low in sodium (77 mg Na/100 g). High levels of FPC (670 mg GAE/100 g) were found together with elevated levels of AA (123 mg AA/ 100 g). The TMA (0.6 mg C3-GE/100 g) as well as HT (3.4 mg PB2E/100 g) were also detected in flour. All prepa- rations obtained with fresh and dried fruits showed AOA with SC50 values between 1.8 to 14.5 μg GAE/mL. Inhibitory capacity on LOX was also demonstrated (IC50 values of 40 μg GAE/mL). The fresh fruits and flour showed nutraceuti- cal characteristics that are demanded by functional food and could be used as dietary supplement.