Bacuri
Bacuri (Platonia insignis) is native to the state of Pará. Its area of greatest concentration is the Amazon River estuary but has a more pronounced presence in the Salgado region and on Marajó Island.
The name “bacuri” comes from Tupi-Guarani and describes a fruit that falls as soon as it ripens (“ba” means to fall and “curi” means soon). In many regions, it is the first food of children walking under the canopy.
Properties
Bacuri butter extracted from the seed is rich in mineral salts (magnesium, zinc, and calcium) and vitamins D2, E, and K. It also has the amino acid tryptophan, responsible for producing serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with the feeling of wellbeing.
Versatility
Bacuri pulp is a raw material for yogurt, jam, sweets, cake, liqueur, and candies. It is useful for the cosmetics industry, because fats extracted from the fruit have a high absorption rate due to the high level of tripalmitin, which penetrates the skin quickly. In the pharmaceutical industry, this bioactive is used in capsules to slow the diffusion of drugs in an organism, reducing the side effects of strong drugs.