Caracterização centesimal e perfil de ácidos graxos da farinha das sementes de Noni (Morinda citrifolia Linn)

Abstract

The use of medicinal plants for the cure or treatment of diseases is one of the oldest practices of humanity. Morinda citrifolia Linn is a plant native to Asia and Australia, belonging to the Rubiaceae family, and has had great acceptance in Brazil and in the world as a herbal medicine within folk medicine. According to common sense, the plant shows functionality against a large number of diseases and has been used by the population in Brazil, even without the permission of ANVISA (National Sanitary Surveillance Agency). Scientific studies have been developed with the purpose of confirming the pharmacological activities popularly attributed to the plant, such as: antioxidant capacity, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, among others. Currently, there are many controversies in both scientific studies and common sense about the plant. In this sense, the objective of this work is to perform the centesimal characterization and to analyze the fatty acid profile of the flour of noni seeds grown in a residence located in the city of Parnaíba-PI. The determination of the centesimal composition (moisture, ashes, lipids, proteins, carbohydrates and total caloric value) of noni seed meal was carried out according to the methodologies described by the Adolfo Lutz Institute. Fatty acid analysis was performed using acylated Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry. The tests for the determination of the centesimal composition of the flour were successful and showed the following values: moisture (7.05%), ash (1.3%), protein (6.76%), lipids and carbohydrates (73.29%). The total caloric value of the flour was evaluated as 425.14 kcal/g. Fatty acid analysis of the flour showed the presence of palmitic (9,10), oleic (8,25%), linoleic (40,61%) and stearic acid (5,02%). The nutritional table of the flour was eluted according to RDC 360/2003.