Chemical Characterization of the Fruit of Annona squamosa L. Occurring in the Amazon

The chemical composition of the fruit pulp of Annona squamosa growing in the Brazilian Amazon was investigated and compared with data of specimens occurring in Southeast Asia. In accordance with the sweet taste of the fruit pulp the amounts of sugars were found to be quite high (58% of dry mass). The triglyceride concentration was found to be very low. The presence of the diterpenoid compound kaur-16-en-18-oic acid in a considerable amount (0.25% of dry mass) was detected in the lipid fraction. The essential oil of the fruit pulp was obtained and its volatile constituents were identified by GC-MS. The major compounds were α -pinene (25.3%), sabinene (22.7%) and limonene (10.1%). The occurrence of the isoricinoleic acid previously reported in the seed oil could not be confirmed.