This study aimed at investigating the chemical composition and a selected group of
bioactivities of jatoba (Hymenaea courbaril L.) pod residue. An aqueous extract (deionized water;
AE) and a hydroethanolic extract (ethanol: deionized water, 70:30 v/v; ETOH) were obtained via
maceration. Ten phenolic compounds were characterized via LC-DAD-ESI/MSn: seven procyanidins,
two quercetin derivatives and one taxifolin derivative, with dimers and trimers of procyanidins
being the main components of both extracts. Total phenolic compound levels of 2.42 ± 0.06 and
11 ± 1 mg/g were found in AE and ETOH, respectively; however, only seven compounds were
identified in ETOH. The jatoba pod residue extracts showed notable antioxidant activities: ETOH had
greater antioxidant potential in the OxHLIA and DPPH assays (IC50 = 25.4 μg/mL and 0.71 μg/mL,
respectively); however, EA demonstrated greater potential in the FRAP system (IC50 = 2001.0 μM
TE/mg). Only AE showed antiproliferative potential, being effective against cell lines of gastric
(GI50 = 35 ± 1 μg/mL) and breast (GI50 = 89 ± 4 μg/mL) adenocarcinomas. Likewise, only AE showed
modest anti-inflammatory potential (IC50 = 225 ± 2 μg/mL) in mouse macrophages. Bacteriostatic
effects against bacteria were exerted by both extracts. Enterococcus faecalis and Listeria monocytogenes
(MICs = 2.5 mg/mL) were especially sensitive to the ETOH extract. Taken together, the results suggest
potential for jatoba pod residue as a source of molecules with biological activities and with possible
industrial applications.
