Multivariate correlation of the astringency sensory perception with the phenolic profiling of cashew apple genotypes

Validation of a Method for Anacardic Acid Quantification in Cashew Peduncles via High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled to a Diode-Array Detector

The cashew peduncle has a high nutritional value and contains a wide variety of phenolic compounds. Among these, anacardic acids (AnAc) are biologically active components; however, they influence the cashew juice flavor and, consequently, its acceptance. This study validates a high-performance liquid chromatography method for quantifying the AnAc present in cashew peduncles, using a C₁₈ reverse-phase column and a diode-array detector. The calibration curve obtained showed satisfactory precision for intraday (CV = 0.20%) and interday (CV = 0.29%) quantification, linearity (y = 2333.5x + 2956.2; r² = 0.9979), repeatability with respect to retention time (CV = 0.45%) and area (CV = 0.30%), and selectivity, and possessed detection and quantification limits of 0.18 and 0.85 µg·mL^-1, respectively. Different cashew clones containing AnAc were extracted and analyzed using the proposed method. A recovery of >90% was achieved using two sequential extractions. The total AnAc content ranged from 128.35 to 217.00 mg·100 g^-1 in peduncle samples obtained from five different cashew clones.

Evaluation of freeze-dried phenolic extract from cashew apple by-product: Physical properties, in vitro gastric digestion and chemometric analysis of the powders

The aim of this study was to produce powders from the phenolic extract of the cashew by-product using maltodextrin and gum arabic as encapsulating agents to preserve these bioactive compounds and their antioxidative activity. Extraction was assisted by an ultrasound bath to increase the release of the bioactive compounds, resulting in the hydroalcoholic extract from cashew bagasse. The powders were physically and morphologically characterized, and their total phenolics, antioxidant activity and bioaccessibility were evaluated. All parameters were analyzed by chemometrics. In addition, UPLC-HRMS analysis was used to evaluate the phenolic profile of the extracts, revealing that the powders were able to protect some of the original compounds of the extract, such as catechin, the myricetin fraction and quercetin. The powders showed high total phenolic retention capacity, especially maltodextrin (2893.34 ± 20.18 mg GAE/100 g (DW)), which was the encapsulant that preserved the highest content of polyphenols and antioxidant activity after bioaccessibility in comparison to the unencapsulated extract. The powders showed low water activity (<0.2), low moisture (<8%), high solubility (>60 %) and low hygroscopicity (<4%). The SEM analysis showed that lyophilized extract samples resembled broken glass, which is characteristic of the lyophilization process, and in addition to a predominantly amorphous structure as demonstrated by the X-ray diffraction. The extraction and encapsulation of phenolic compounds from the cashew by-product through lyophilization and using maltodextrin and gum arabic as encapsulants enabled their preservation and potential use of these compounds by the nutraceutical or food industry, and can be used as food additive in order to enrich the content of compounds and the antioxidant activity of numerous products.

Chemical composition and bioactive compounds of cashew (Anacardium occidentale) apple juice and bagasse from Colombian varieties

Cashew nut production generates large amounts of cashew apple as residue. In Colombia, cashew cultivation is increasing together with the concerns on residue management. The objective of this study was to provide the first chemical, physical and thermal decomposition characterization of cashew apple from Colombian varieties harvested in Vichada, Colombia. This characterization was focused to identify the important bioactive and natural compounds that can be further valorized in the formulation of food, nutraceuticals, and pharmacological products. The results obtained in this study are helpful to portray the cashew apple as a potential by-product due to its renewable nature and valuable composition, instead of seeing it just as an agricultural residue. For that, cashew apples of Regional 8315 and Mapiria varieties were studied. The natural juice (cashew apple juice) that was extracted from the cashew apples and the remanent solids (cashew apple bagasse) were separately analyzed. The HPLC analytical technique was used to determine the concentration of bioactive compounds, structural carbohydrates, and soluble sugars that constitute this biomass. Spectrophotometric techniques were used to determine the concentration of tannins, carotenoids, and total polyphenols. Mineral content and antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS assays) were determined in the biomass. Also, the thermal decomposition under an inert atmosphere or pyrolysis was performed on cashew apple bagasse. The varieties of cashew apple studied in this work showed similar content of bioactive compounds, total phenolic content, and structural carbohydrates. However, the Mapiria variety showed values slightly higher than the Regional 8315. Regarding cashew apple juice, it is rich in tannins and ascorbic acid with values of 191 mg/100 mL and 70 mg/100 mL, respectively, for Mapiria variety. Additionally, the principal reservoir of bioactive compounds and constitutive carbohydrates was the cashew apple bagasse. About 50 wt.% of it was composed of cellulose and hemicellulose. Also, in the bagasse, the ascorbic acid content was in a range of 180–200 mg/100 g, which is higher than other fruits and vegetables. Moreover, alkaloids were identified in cashew apples. The maximum value of antioxidant activity (DPPH assay: 405 TEs/g) was observed in the bagasse of Mapiria variety. The bagasse thermal decomposition started around 150 °C when the structural carbohydrates and other constitutive substances started to degrade. After thermogravimetric analysis, a remanent of 20% of the initial weight suggested the formation of a rich-carbon solid, which could correspond to biochar. Therefore, the cashew apple harvested in Vichada is a valuable reservoir of a wide range of biomolecules that potentially could be valorized into energy, foods, and pharmacologic applications. Nevertheless, future work is necessary to describe the complex compounds of this residual biomass that are still unknown.