Summaries (En, Pt); 15 ref.; 3 illus.; 2 tables

Chemical characterization and antioxidant activity of ora-pro-nobis powder mucilage Pereskia aculeata Mill., known as ora-pro-nobis, is an unconventional food plant (PANC) that has a high protein content, surpassing many other vegetables commonly used in human food. In addition to being a source of protein, this species has bioactive compounds that give it analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Ora-pro-nobis presents a mucilage capable of acting as a thickening, emulsifying and gelling agent, characteristics due to the presence of the arabinogalactan biopolymer and its adhesion to the proteins present in the mucilage. The present study aimed at the chemical characterization and determination of the antioxidant activity of powdered ora-pro-nobis mucilage. Protein quantification showed that lyophilized mucilage has a higher protein content than fresh ora-pro-nobis leaves, with an average of 39.55% protein. The evaluation of antioxidant activity showed a positive correlation with the increase in mucilage concentration and total flavonoid content.

Chemical characterization and antioxidant activity of ora-pro-nobis powder mucilagePereskia aculeataMill., known as ora-pro-nobis, is an unconventional food plant (PANC) that has a high protein content, surpassing many othervegetables commonly used in human food. In addition to being a source of protein, this species has bioactive compounds that give it analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Ora-pro-nobis presents a mucilage capable of acting as a thickening, emulsifying and gelling agent, characteristics due to the presence of the arabinogalactan biopolymer and its adhesion to the proteins present in the mucilage. The present study aimed at the chemical characterization and determination of the antioxidant activity of powdered ora-pro-nobis mucilage. Protein quantification showed that lyophilized mucilage has a higher protein content than fresh ora-pro-nobis leaves, with an average of 39.55% protein. The evaluation of antioxidant activity showed a positive correlation with the increase in mucilage concentration and total flavonoid content. Chemical characterization and antioxidant activity of ora-pro-nobis powder mucilagePereskia aculeataMill., known as ora-pro-nobis, is an unconventional food plant (PANC) that has a high protein content, surpassing many othervegetables commonly used in human food. In addition to being a source of protein, this species has bioactive compounds that give it analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Ora-pro-nobis presents a mucilage capable of acting as a thickening, emulsifying and gelling agent, characteristics due to the presence of the arabinogalactan biopolymer and its adhesion to the proteins present in the mucilage. The present study aimed at the chemical characterization and determination of the antioxidant activity of powdered ora-pro-nobis mucilage. Protein quantification showed that lyophilized mucilage has a higher protein content than fresh ora-pro-nobis leaves, with an average of 39.55% protein. The evaluation of antioxidant activity showed a positive correlation with the increase in mucilage concentration and total flavonoid content.

Keyworks: Pereskia aculeata Mill, mucilage, protein, bioactive compounds

Pereskia aculeata Mill., conhecida como ora-pro-nobis, é uma planta alimentícia não convencional (PANC) que possui alto teor de proteínas, superando muitos outros vegetais utilizados habitualmente na alimentação humana. Além de ser fonte de proteínas, esta espécie apresenta compostos bioativos que lhe confere propriedades analgésicas, anti-inflamatórias e antioxidantes. Ora-pro-nobis apresenta uma mucilagem capaz de atuar como agente espessante, emulsificante e gelificante, características devidas à presença do biopolímero arabinogalactana e sua adesão às proteínas presentes na mucila-gem. O presente estudo teve como objetivo a caracterização química e a determinação da atividade antioxidante da mucilagem em pó da ora-pro-nobis. A quantificação de proteínas demonstrou que a mucilagem liofilizada tem teor proteico maior do que em folhas frescas de ora-pro-nobis, apresentando média de 39,55 % de proteínas. A avaliação da atividade antioxidante demonstrou correlação positiva com o aumento da concentração da mucilagem e do teor de flavonoides totais.

Palavras-chaves: Pereskia aculeata Mill, mucilagem, proteína, compostos bioativos