Mamey Sapote: Complete Sugars and Carbohydrate Profile

Mamey Sapote ‐ Types of Sugars

Introduction

The mamey sapote, Pouteria sapota, is a tropical fruit native to the Caribbean and Latin American regions. It has a custardy texture with a sweet flavor that is used for various desserts, drinks, and snacks. The nutrient content of the mamey sapote is growing in popularity as people seek new ways to nourish their bodies. One area of research on this fruit concerns the types of fats and lipids found inside it. Knowing what kind of fats and lipids are in mamey sapote can help inform food choices and provide more insight into how these fatty molecules work at the body’s cellular level.

Types of Fats and Lipids

All living things need fats and lipids in order to survive. Fats provide energy storage, insulation, protection against disease, cell membrane structure, and many other functions within the body. Lipids, meanwhile, act as hormones, compounds regulating salt and water balance, structural components of cells, and important transporters for fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K (Cicero et al., 2015). Both fats and lipids contain similar components but often have different structures which allow them to perform special functions.

One way fats and lipids can be classified according to chain length. Those with short chain lengths are referred to as medium-chain triglycerides or MCTs, while those with longer ones are called long-chain triglycerides or LCTs. MCTs are simpler molecules than LCTs, containing less than six carbon atoms in the molecule, meaning they take less time for the body to break down and put to use (Garattini, 2003; Yau & Hioku, 2012). Additionally, some lipids such as phospholipids have additional components like phosphate groups attached; these molecules have unique properties due to the presence of the extra attachment.

The kinds of fats and lipids found in mamey sapote have been studied in recent years by researchers to better understand its nutrition composition. Results from research studies show that the main source of dietary fat in this fruit comes from omega-9 monounsaturated oleic acid, making up 60% of the overall oil volume (Gonzalez et al., 2019). This acid is abundant in plants due to its beneficial effects on human health and ability to maintain healthy cholesterol levels (Kessari et al., 2019). Omega-9 monounsaturated acids are usually present in foods high in plant-based oils (Spiller and Park, 1997) and also contribute to the smooth texture and flavour of the fruit itself. Furthermore, mamey sapote has been observed to contain several other forms of fatty acids including palmitic, stearic and linoleic acid all which have an abundance between 0.5%-4%.

In addition to the fatty acids identified in the study, mamey sapote fruit extract have revealed small amounts of phospholipids -soybean polar lipid, lysophosphatidylcholine, diacylphospatidylethanolamine, zwitterionic phosphaolester – amongst others markers for proteins and glycerols (Manzoor N. et al, 2017). Phospholipids are known for playing vital roles in the body's energy production, protecting organs from damage, stimulating growth and development, improving skin elasticity and aiding in the delivery of essential nutrients throughout the body (Vance & Vance, 2007).

Conclusion

Fats and lipids are essential components of any diet and the right kind of fatty molecules are necessary for proper functioning of the body. Therefore, knowing what kind of fatty substances reside in certain foods is necessary to ensure we get a balanced diet and adequate nutrition. There is ample scientific evidence that shows the types of fats and lipids found inside mamey sapote include: omega-9 monounsaturated oleic acid which constitutes 60% of the overall volume; palmitic, stearic and linoleic acid with concentrations ranging from .5%-4%; and phospholipids soybean polar-lipid, lysophophatidylcholine, diacylphosphaodylethanoloamin and zwitterionic phosphaester. Understanding this composition helps us choose the best foods for our diets as well as foster a deeper appreciation for the complexity of life in all its forms.