Bioaccessibility and cytotoxicity of Euterpe edulis, E. oleracea and E. precatoria fruit compounds

ABSTRACT The bioaccessibility of bioactive compounds in Euterpe spp. fruits influences both their nutritional value and their biological potential. Composition and solubility of bioactive compounds are essential variables in the mechanisms of bioaccessibility and cytotoxicity. This study measured the bioaccessibility and biological properties of compounds in E. edulis, E. oleracea and E. precatoria fruits after in vitro digestion. Total phenolic compounds, total anthocyanins, free radical scavenging capacity (DPPH, peroxyl and H₂O₂) and antiproliferative potential on Caco-2 cells were measured. The greatest bioaccessibility of total phenolics (127.35 mg GAE g⁻¹) and total anthocyanins (127.15 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside g⁻¹) was in E. precatoria. In vitro digestion indicated that the highest scavenging capacity for the oxidative radicals DPPH (307.30 µmol ET g⁻¹), peroxyl (63.94 µmol ET g⁻¹) and H₂O₂ (IC50 0.92 mg mL⁻¹), was also in E. precatoria fruits. Euterpe precatoria also had the greatest antiproliferative effects (85%), only slightly better than E. edulis (83%), but both were much greater than E. oleracea (30%). In conclusion, E. precatoria has the greatest bioactive potential with an antiproliferative effect on Caco-2 cancer cells comparable to that of E. edulis.