Nutritional and bioactive potential of Theobroma subincanum Mart.: a promising Amazonian fruit for the food industry

Theobroma subincanum (cupuí) is an Amazonian species with recognized nutritional and bioactive potential, although its chemical composition and biological properties remain scarcely explored. This study characterized the chemical constituents and evaluated the cytotoxic effects of hydroalcoholic extracts obtained from the peel, pulp, and seeds of T. subincanum fruits. The extracts were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance, and their cytotoxic and antiproliferative activities were assessed against cancer (A549 and HCT8) and normal (human umbilical vein endothelial cells) cell lines. The seeds exhibited the highest levels of proteins, carbohydrates, and energy content, while the pulp and peel were rich in fatty acids such as palmitic and oleic acids. The compounds theacrine, epicatechin, clovamide, and luteolin were identified in the extracts. Cytotoxicity assays indicated moderate activity of the pulp extract against all tested cell lines (IC₅₀ [inhibitory concentration that reduces cell viability by 50%]: 12.29–22.80 μg/mL), with higher selectivity toward cancer cells (selectivity index > 1). Overall, the findings highlight the nutritional relevance of the seeds and the bioactive potential of the pulp, suggesting promising applications in the food industry.