Free amino acid composition of Annona (Annonaceae) fruit species of economic interest

Annona is an economically important genus, with some widely commercialized species. Free amino acid profiles of two cultivars of atemoya (Annona cherimola Mill. × Annona squamosa L.) and one of cherimoya (A. cherimola Mill.) were investigated by reverse HPLC-F. The total yield of free amino acids in these three samples ranged from 5.57 mg/g to 25.66 mg/g dry matter. The A. cherimola cv. Madeira presented the highest concentration. A total of 20 free amino acids were detected. Arginine, glutamine and serine were the most abundant. Free amino acid composition points to the nutritional potential of these fruit species, in addition to possible application in quality control tests of derivatives.

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► Annona is an important genus with species widely commercialized.
► Free amino acids profiles of three cultivars were investigated by reverse HPLC-F.
► Arginine, glutamine and serine were the most abundant free amino acids.
► Free amino acids composition suggests nutritional uses.