CAFERANA (BUNCHOSIA GLANDULIFERA): CARACTERIZAÇÃO BIOMÉTRICA, FÍSICO-QUÍMICA E POTENCIAL FUNCIONAL DE UM FRUTO NATIVO BRASILEIRO

Abstract

Brazil, due to its vast biodiversity, hosts species that are still little studied, such as Bunchosia glandulifera (caferana), a native plant that produces red fruits with high nutritional value and rich in bioactive compounds. In this study, ripe caferana fruits were collected in Morrinhos, Goiás (Brazil), and analyzed for biometric characteristics, physicochemical properties, bioactive compounds, and color. The fruits presented an average weight of 5.65 g, a predominance of seeds over pulp, and a nearly spherical shape. In terms of physicochemical composition, the fruits showed 70.33% moisture, a pH of 5.40, and a high content of soluble solids (23 °Brix), indicating a sweet flavor and technological potential. Regarding bioactive compounds, 203.62 mg of total phenolics, 37.20 mg/100 g of carotenoids, and 30.40 mg/100 g of lycopene were recorded, a value almost ten times higher than that found in tomatoes. Instrumental color analysis revealed low luminosity (L* = 5.83) and a predominance of red tones (a* = 7.89), confirming the high concentration of lycopene. These results highlight caferana as a promising fruit for fresh consumption and for the development of new agro-industrial products, both due to its nutritional appeal and its functional potential.