US EPA

1228295 

Journal Article 

Phenolics and sugars in Melicoccus bijugatus Jacq. fruits in relation to medicinal and dietary uses 

Bystrom, LM 

2007 

The fruits of the South American tree Melicoccus bijugatus Jacq. are consumed both for dietary and medicinal purposes. However, information about their phytochemistry and biological activity is limited. In this study, M. bijugatus fruits from Florida (Montgomery, Newcomb) and the Dominican Republic (DR) were assessed for total phenolics, sugar concentrations and antimicrobial activity. The total phenolics of the embryo extracts exceeded that of the pulp extracts for all varieties and the Montgomery variety tissue extracts exceeded two other varieties. In one DR collection, the seed coat had greater total phenolics and free-radical scavenging activity than the embryo or pulp extracts. Sucrose, glucose and fructose were greater in the pulp extracts than in the embryo extracts and sucrose concentrations exceeded glucose and fructose in all extracts. Glucose/fructose ratios were .1 in the pulp extracts and the embryo extracts were 

Flavonoids; Gram-negative bacteria; phenolic compounds; Microorganisms; Embryos; Sucrose; phenolic acids; Tannic acid; Fructose; Trees; Sugar; Methanol; Seeds; Catechin; Antimicrobial activity; Fruits; Melicoccus bijugatus; Pulp; Gram-positive bacteria; Glucose