Abstract:
In studies directed at understanding fully, the options for utilization
of palmyrah fruit pulp (PFP), the work reported here was concentrated on
f1abelliferins (saponins of B-sitosterol) and carotenoids. Flabelliferins,
F-l1, Fb, Fc and Fd which were purified by solvent-gradient chromatography
were subjected to naringinase hydrolyses at pH=4.0 (/3 rhamnosidase
activity). The analysis of products of hydrolysis indicated that the bitter
f1abelliferin (F-ll) had a straight chain carbohydrate moiety of sequence
Rha. Glu. Glu. Rha. The antimicrobial f1abelliferin FB' had, as proved by
previous studies, a branched carbohydrate moiety with 2-rhamnose terminii
linked to glucose, at least one of which had a /3anomeric carbon. This was
further confirmed by subjecting F8 to the action action of fermenting yeast.
Fe did not contain /3rhamnose anomeric bonds. The two rhamnoses were
probably linked. FD' a diglycoside containing glucose and rhamnose, contained
/3rhamnose terminus as proved by previous spectroscopic studies.
Flabelliferins of PFP were stable to temperatures of less than 75°C over a
period of 6 hours but were hydrolysed by fermenting yeast, which results in
a lowering of bioactivity f1abelliferins in products like wines. The carotenoids
of Amax of 443,427,470,400 wre shown to be the following carotenoids: a
carotene, /3-zeacarotene, lycopene, and <;-carotene, Only the first two named
are structurally pro-v it A. Treatment to mimic alcoholic fermentation and
recovery of a distilled spirit results in loss of pro-vitamin A carotenoids that
become oxygenated and give a deepening of colour. As a result the pigment
can only be utilized as a colouring material after fermentation.
