Nutritional and biological attributes of Spondias tuberosa (Umbu) fruit: An integrative review with a systematic approach

Abstract

Spondias tuberosa is a tree fruit native to the Caatinga biome in Brazil whose fruits (umbu) are usually consumed fresh, in regional recipes or in the form of pulp. Grown in Brazilian low-income regions, S. tuberosa fruits present high sociocultural importance in the Semiarid region of Brazil, acting as a source of livelihood for various family groups in these regions. In this sense, the aim of this work was to develop an integrative review of the nutritional and biological attributes of S. tuberosa fruits using a systematic approach. We searched on four databases: CABI, Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Twenty-four studies were included after the review protocol was applied. The results showed that umbu exhibits low carbohydrate and protein content, varying according to the maturation stage and fruit part. Both the pulp and peel of umbu presented low lipid content whereas the highest lipid content was found in the seeds, which also presented the highest fiber content. The fruits presented considerable amounts of vitamin C and minerals. Bioactive phenolic compounds and carotenoids are concentrated mainly in the fruit peel and seeds. The studies presented promising findings, which reinforce the importance of considering the consumption of this fruit due to its potential for health benefits and increase of its socioeconomic value.