Desenvolvimento de um nutracêutico tipo goma mastigável à base de cubiu (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal)

Abstract

Introduction: Cubiu (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal) is a native species of the Amazon, widely distributed in the humid equatorial regions of Brazil, Peru, and Colombia. The nutritional properties of cubiu may be associated with its antioxidant activity. Objective: To develop a chewable nutraceutical gum based on cubiu (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal). Methodology: The whole fruit pulp of cubiu was dried using a forced air circulation oven at 70ºC and freeze-dried at 58ºC ±2. The dry samples from both methods were analyzed for drying time, moisture, physicochemical composition, presence of antioxidant substances such as vitamin C, total phenolics, cytotoxicity analysis, mineral content, and determination of naringenin. Mathematical models were applied to the drying kinetics for both drying methods. In this study, two types of cubiubased gums (natural and strawberry flavor) were developed for sensory analysis and purchase intention testing with 100 healthy volunteer judges aged 18 to 50 years using a nine-point hedonic scale. For stability studies, the gums were analyzed at 8°C, 25°C, and 40°C at zero time for 90 days. Several analyses were conducted on the gums, including physicochemical characterization, nutritional analysis, and naringenin content analysis. Statistical analyses were performed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's Test, with a significance level of 5%, using SPSS Statistics 24.0® software. Results: Cubiu has a chemical composition rich in phenolic compounds, minerals, and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, as well as promising drying dynamics. Freeze-dried cubiu maintained better results compared to oven-dried cubiu. No cytotoxicity was observed in cubiu. Regarding the development of cubiu-based nutraceutical gums (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal), the average acceptability of the gums was above 70%. The gums exhibited significant levels of proteins, carbohydrates, fibers, and energy value. Conclusion: Cubiu gums proved to be an innovative and healthy nutraceutical option, with a good nutritional profile and favorable sensory acceptance.