Cambuí (Myrciaria floribunda (West ex Willd.) O. Berg): A potential nutritional supplement for inhibition of COVID-19 infections / Cambuí (Myrciaria floribunda (West ex Willd.) O. Berg): Um potencial suplemento nutricional para a inibição de infecções por COVID-19

Abstract

In the present study, we suggest that the Myrciaria floribunda (West ex Willd.) O. Berg fruit (cambuí) is a natural source of potential molecules against COVID-19. Extracts from orange and purple cambuí were obtained by using pressurized hot water extraction (PHWE). Extraction overall yield was 39.66 ± 1.62% and 33.00 ± 8.44% for the extracts of purple and orange cambuí, respectively. All analyzed extracts showed high total phenolic contents, especially those of purple fruits (3870.37 ± 353.09 mg GAE/100g). The total flavonoid content was 693.16 ± 180.09 and 770.08 ± 103.62 mg RE/100g for purple and orange fruit extracts, respectively. The secondary metabolite profile exhibited ellagic acid, ellagitannins, and derivatives of caffeic acid and ellagic acid. PHWE showed a good alternative for molecules separation from cambuí with promising potential for further in vitro and in vivo evaluation against Covid-19 infections