Bioactive compounds by UPLC-PDA in different cocoa clones (Theobroma cacao L.) developed in the Southern region of Bahia, Brazil
Abstract
Purpose
Many factors can influence the bioactive compounds in cocoa beans. The purpose of this paper is to characterize the bioactive compound profile of 12 cocoa bean clones produced in Bahia’s Southern region.
Design/methodology/approach
Total phenolic content, total flavonoids and total anthocyanins were determined using spectrophotometric methods. Caffeic acid, caffeine, theobromine, catechin and epicatechin contents were determined using Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography with a Photodiode Array Detector. Principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out using to determine the variability of the results found in relation to the clones studied.
Findings
The authors observed variations in the bioactive compound content between the analyzed cocoa clones. The SRN clone showed the highest levels of phenolic content, flavonoids, caffeine, catechin, and epicatechin. PCA showed that all the clones had unique characteristics related to the composition of their bioactive compounds content, classifying each clone in a well-defined manner.
Originality/value
This work is an important contribution for the characterization of new cocoa bean clones in relation to their content of bioactive compounds. The information reported in this paper can be decisive in the choice of the variety of cocoa in the production of chocolate with high bioactive compounds content and claim of functional property.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to acknowledge the financial support of the Coordination of Professional Improvement at the Tertiary Level (CAPES), a strategic research initiative in the jurisdiction of the Brazilian Ministry of Education, project number 23038,019085/2009-14. Professor Elisa Yoko Hirooka is a CNPq researcher.
Citation
Fonseca Maciel, L., Felício, A.L.d.S.M. and Hirooka, E.Y. (2017), "Bioactive compounds by UPLC-PDA in different cocoa clones (
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited