Evaluation of different methods of drying jabuticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora) peel for the preservation of bioactive compounds

Abstract

The fruits of the jabuticaba tree (Myrciaria cauliflora Berg) have antioxidant properties related to phenolic compounds present. Thus, this work aimed to define which drying method is the most viable for obtaining jabuticaba peel powder and preserving the phenolic compounds. The peels were dried in an oven with forced air circulation, in a lyophilizer, or in a fluidized bed; then, all material was crushed and subjected to analysis of apparent and compacted density, humidity, pH, and visual analysis. Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, E. coli, and C. albicans microorganisms were evaluated. It was found that the drying process in a fluidized bed with a volumetric flow rate of 600 m3/h at a temperature of 25 °C made it possible to obtain an IC50 value of 29.7 µg/mL without affecting the antimicrobial activity and generating a powder with desirable characteristics for nutraceutical formulations.