Physico-Chemical Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of Miconia Ciliata (rich.) Dc Infrutescences in Two Maturation Stages

is the biggest genus of Melastomatacea Juss, a family with pantropical distribution. The present study aimed to conduct the physico-chemical characterization and evaluate the antioxidant capacity of Miconia ciliata infrutescences. Analyses of pH, titratable acidity, total sugars, soluble pectin, total phenol, vitamin C, monomeric anthocyanins, antioxidant activity (DPPH) and color (L, C, ºh) were conducted. The pH increased as acidity decreased, while soluble solids, total sugars and soluble pectin increased and total phenol, vitamin C, antioxidant activity and clarity increased as maturation advanced. Monomeric anthocyanins were only detected in mature infrutescences, while the green ones presented more vivid color. The hue angle changed from green to purple from the green-mature to mature infrutescences, respectively. infrutescences have significant amounts of total phenols, are source of vitamin C and present sensory and functional appeal.