The pequi tree, an important fruit tree in the Brazilian Cerrado

O

Caryocar Brasiliense

(Camb) family Caryocaraceae, commonly known as pequi, is a hermaphrodite tree measuring up to 7m, widely occurring and distributed in the Cerrado, flowering during the rainy season with a peak in September and bearing fruit in the months of November to February (ALMEIDA et al. , 1998). Its flowers are visited by wasps, moths, bats and birds, with pollination being carried out mainly by bats. Its fruits serve as food for a series of animals which, in turn, may contribute to breaking dormancy and dispersing seeds. According to Almeida et al., (1998) pollination is characteristic of chiropterophily syndrome, self-fertilization can occur and the fruits reach maturity between 3 and 4 months after maturation. It is a plant with typically zoochorous dispersion, the Emu is the animal with the greatest dispersing potential, the rook and agouti can act as seed dispersers over short distances through synzoochory; for Gribel (1986) cited by Almeida et al., (1998) the dispersal of fruits is carried out by two vectors: a marsupial (

Dilesphis albiventris

) and a corvid (

Cyanocorax cristatellus

).

The interest in this fruit is due to the usefulness of its wood, the oil of the fruits and seeds, the peel and pulp, used as dye material, the flowers and seeds used in popular pharmacopoeia, and the fruits, widely used in regional cuisine, contributing to the supply of part of the population's nutritional requirements, mainly in vitamins A and E, and also in minerals, such as phosphorus, iron and copper (ALMEIDA et al., 1994, VILELA et al., 1996). These authors also comment that this plant can be used as a melliferous, ornamental and medicinal plant. Its wood is important for the construction of corrals and posts (ALMEIDA et. al., 1998).

Almeida (1998) reports that among the various native species of the Brazilian Cerrado analyzed (Araticum, Baru, Buriti, Cagaita, Jatobá and Mangaba), pequi stands out with 2,64% of protein, a value lower only than Jatobá (6%) and Baru (3,87%). Regarding lipid content, pequi pulp presents the highest value (20%) compared to other species, which ranged from 5% to less than 1%. The fat content is comparable to that of avocado, açaí and buriti.

The crude fiber content contained in pequi pulp is considered high, approximately 13%. Pequi presents intermediate carbohydrate values ​​of 19,60% and titratable acidity of 0,9 to 2,0 (VILASBOAS, 2004). Almeida (1998) reports that the pectin content is an important parameter for the industrialization and commercialization of fruits. Pequi stands out among Cerrado native fruits for having 2,23% pectin, while buriti, cagaita and mangaba pulp have levels lower than 1%. When comparing the pectin content of pequi with other cultivated fruits normally used in the Brazilian diet, it can be seen that the pectin in the pequi pulp is almost equivalent to that in oranges (2,23 and 2,36%, respectively). ).

There is currently great concern about the consequences of human pressure on the dynamics of tropical biomes and their ecosystems. These activities can influence the distribution pattern of Cerrado populations and can alter their physiognomy and phytosociology. As the Cerrado is the main area of ​​agricultural expansion in the country, some natural resources, which are of socio-economic interest for the populations of this region, are eliminated to make way for the establishment of extensive agricultural areas, making the exploitation of these resources impossible (POZO, 1997).

Despite the relative production of fruits, the destruction of the pequi tree has not been accompanied by its natural regeneration on a significant scale. (MELO, 1987).

Hélio Sandoval Junqueira Mendes1, Deise Reis de Paula2

1 Biologist FCAV/UNESP, 2 Biologist, FCAV/UNESP

1

2

Bibliographic references

ALMEIDA, SP, JA SILVA & CEL FONSECA. 1994. Nutritional value of native fruits from the cerrado. p.23. In Special meeting of the SBPC, I. Uberlândia. Summaries and perspectives 2nd ed. Brasília: University of Brasília. 681 p.

ALMEIDA, SP 1998. Cerrado: environment and flora. Planaltina: Embrapa, p. 87 – 166

ALMEIDA, SP, PROENÇA, CEB, SANO, SM, RIBEIRO, JF Cerrado: useful plant species. Brasília: EMBRAPA, 1998. 464p

MELO, JT Factors related to pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.) seed dormancy. 1987. 91 f. Dissertation (Master’s) – Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, Piracicaba, 1987.

POZO, OVC The pequi (Caryocar brasiliense): an alternative for the sustainable development of the cerrado in the north of Minas Gerais. 1997. 100 f. Dissertation (Master’s) Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, 1997.

VILAS BOAS, EVB Minimally processed fruits: pequi. In: NATIONAL MEETING ON MINIMUM PROCESSING OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, 3., 2004, Viçosa, MG. Anais... Viçosa: UFV, 2004. p. 122-127.

VILELA, GG, SCSR ROSADO, ML GAVILANES & D. CARVALHO. 1996. Intra and Interpopulation Variation in Pequi - Caryocar brasiliense Camb. (Caryocaraceae). Carotenoids. Florestal Magazine, Lavras. P. 307-309.