Phytochemical compounds in soursop fruit starches (Annona muricata L.)

Researches on starches containing phytochemical compounds are new opportunities in the production of functional foods and dietary supplements. Starches containing these compounds may have beneficial health effects, such as antioxidant properties. Starches are found in a variety of unconventional sources, including soursop fruits. This study aimed to determine the content of phytochemical compounds in starches extracted from soursop fruits by conventional method and ultrasound. Starch was extracted from soursop fruits by conventional method and ultrasound, obtaining two phases for each method. The amylose and lipid content were determined, as well as the content of phytochemical compounds in the starches (phenols, tannins, flavonoids, phytosterols, alkaloids, and acetogenins). The extractions were: ACF1 (conventional starch phase 1), AUF1 (conventional starch phase 1), AUF2 (Ultrasonic starch phase 2), and ACF2 (conventional starch phase 2). The AUF1 starches presented high content of total soluble phenols (2.26 mg GAE/g of d.b.s), total soluble tannins (0.99 mg GAE/g of d.b.s), total soluble flavonoids (1.55 mg QE/g of d.b.s), phytosterols (3.55 mg CE/g of d.b.s), alkaloids (8.42 mg AE/g of d.b.s) and acetogenins (1.81 mg ANE/g of d.b.s). Ultrasound-assisted starch extraction increases the starch content of soursop fruits and phytochemical compounds. The phytochemical compounds present in the starches of soursop fruits are phenols, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, phytosterols, and acetogenins.