Introduction. The Brazilian
Cerrado presents a wide vegetable diversity, which is used for different
purposes, especially in human feeding. Among the various fruits
of the Cerrado, the araticum (Annona crassiflora Mart.)
stands out, due to its high nutritional value and technological
potential. The physical characteristics, chemical composition (titratable
acidity, pH, moisture, ash, total dietary fiber, lipids and proteins),
occurrence and content of vitamin C (ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acids),
carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin and lycopene),
vitamin E (α-, β-, γ- and δ-tocopherols and tocotrienols) and folates
(tetrahydrofolate, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and 5-formyltetrahydrofolate)
were evaluated in araticum from the Cerrado of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Materials and methods. Vitamin C and carotenoids were
analyzed by HPLC-DAD, and vitamin E and folates by HPLC with fluorescence
detection. Results and discussion. Araticum pulp presented
a high energy value (95.12 kcal·100 g–1), as well as
elevated contents of dietary fiber (6.80 g·100 g–1), carotenoids (4.98 mg·100 g
–1) and vitamin A value (288.79 RAE·100 g–1).
The contents of vitamin C, folates and vitamin E were 5.23 mg·100 g
–1, 27.36 μg·100 g–1 and 494.04 μg·100 g–1, respectively.
Conclusion. Araticum presented high energy value and
high dietary fiber content. It is a source of vitamin C and folates, and
an excellent source of vitamin A.