Trends in the valorization of native Amazon palm trees as sources of bioactive lipids for use as functional ingredients

Background

Amazon palm tree fruits have been reported to have natural bioactives. These fruits are rich in oleic acid, tocopherols, sterols, and carotenoids and other bioactive compounds that provide health-promoting properties. The discovery and exploration of plant sources rich in bioactive lipids may provide insights into new alternatives to supply the population and industrial demand for nutritious and health-promoting ingredients.

Scope and approach

This review offered a comprehensive recent research on the bioactive lipid composition of Açaí (Euterpe oleracea), bacaba (Oenocarpus bacaba), buriti (Mauritia flexuosa), peach palm (Bactris gasipaes), and tucumã (Astrocaryum vulgare) and their biological activities. Furthermore, we also discussed recent oil extraction methods and how these products have been used as a functional ingredient in product development by industries. Açaí was selected due to its high commercial relevance, whereas bacaba, buriti, pupunha, and tucumã were included as underutilized species commonly used by Amazonian populations.

Key findings and conclusions

Several studies have reported that Amazon fruit oils have a varied composition of bioactive lipids, which can be influenced by the specie and extraction method. In addition, the parameters and conditions of each extraction also directly impact these compounds. Furthermore, although relatively scarce, studies have reported the promising biological activities of the lipophilic compounds of these palm tree fruits, although there are no studies in humans. The studies show the applicability of these compounds as functional ingredients, demonstrating the innovative potential for application in the food, nutraceutical, and cosmetic industries.