Desenvolvimento de Suplemento Alimentar Utilizando Ora-pro-nóbis (Pereskia aculeata)

Abstract

The Ora-pro-nóbis (Pereskia aculeata) plant is cultivated as medicine and food, being known as unconventional food plants (PANC). It is a plant that can contribute many benefits to the health and well being of people due to its nutritional value. The objective of this work was to develop a nutritional supplement with Ora-pro-nóbis leaves with high nutritional value. Harvesting, hygiene, dehydration and grinding were performed to obtain the powdered leaves. After that, chemical analyzes of the determination of moisture, proteins, lipids, vitamin C, ashes, sugars and fibers were carried out. The analysis of folic acid, phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity by spectrophotometry was performed. The humidity was 4.14 g / 100g and the ash content was 15.23 g / 100g. The ash value has mineral content. The protein content was 27.06 g / 100g, indicating a high protein content. The lipid content was 10.34 g / 100g. The result of the fibers was 28.70 g / 100g. The vitamin C content found was 42.35 mg / 100 g, a value close to that of citrus fruits. The folic acid quantification was 9.88 mg / 100g. 132.00 EAG / 100g were obtained in the content of total phenolic compounds that presented 89.76% in antioxidant activity. The developed supplement of Ora-pro-nóbis leaves showed high biological value in proteins and folic acid, in addition to the presence of phenolic compounds with great antioxidant potential.