Anion Composition of Açaı Extracts

Many products labeled açaı are presently marketed as natural supplements with various claimed health benefits. Authentic açaı is expensive; as a result, numerous products labeled as containing açaı are being sold that actually contain little or no açaı. Authentic açaı samples from Brazil and Florida as well as several reputed açaı products were analyzed by suppressed conductometric anion chromatography. Columns with different selectivities were used to obtain a complete separation of all anions. Tandem mass spectrometry was used for confirmation of the less common ions. Quinate, lactate, acetate, formate, galacturonate, chloride, sulfate, malate, oxalate, phosphate, citrate, isocitrate, and myo-inositol hexakisphosphate (phytate) were found. Only the Florida açaı had detectable levels of hexanoate. No açaı sample had any detectable levels of tartrate, which is present in abundance in grape juice, the most common adulterant. The highly characteristic anion profile and in particular the absence of tartrate can readily be used to identify authentic açaı products. Açaı from Florida had a 6 times greater level of phytate. The present analytical approach for phytate may be superior to extant methods.