Quantification of Bioactive Molecules, Minerals and Bromatological Analysis in Carao (Cassia grandis)

Medicinal plants have various beneficial conditions for humanity, one of them is its medicinal contribution due to the presence of phytochemicals and antioxidants, characterized by these bioactive compounds as the main source of nutraceuticals. The fruit of Cassia grandis, traditionally known as carao, is a plant that is attributed antimicrobial and medicinal properties. The objective of this work was to determine the bromatological, mineralogical composition and bioactive molecules of carao in the department of Choluteca (Honduras). Total phenolic compounds determined by the Folin-Ciocateau method resulted in higher concentrations in the seeds 11.1±0.3 mg EAG 100 g-1. The antioxidant activity was also found to be higher in carao seeds, with concentrations of 7.31±0.11 μg g-1 of DPPH and total carotenoids showed higher concentration in the pulp with a concentration of 4.12±0.11 μg mL-1. Among the macro minerals, high concentrations of magnesium and calcium stand out in the seed with a concentration of 18.27±0.14 mg 100 g-1 and 7.31±0.23 mg 100 g-1 respectively. Among the microminerals, iron stands out in higher concentrations than in the rest of the microminerals being higher in the shell with concentrations of 1.71±0.23 mg 100 g-1 followed by manganese in concentrations of 0.51±0.12 mg 100 g-1.