MARKETING DOCUMENTATION
CUPUACU BUTTER
BOTANY
Cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum), also spelled Cupuassu and Copoasu, is a tropical rainforest tree related to Cacao. Common throughout the Amazon basin, it is widely cultivated in the north of Brazil, with the largest production in Pará, followed by Amazonas, Rondônia and Acre.
Cupuaçu trees usually range from 5 to 15 meters in height, though some can reach 20 meters. But we try to limit its height for fruit culture. They have brown bark. Their leaves are 25–35 cm long and 6–10 cm across, with 9 or 10 pairs of veins. As they mature, their leaves change from pink-tinted to green, and eventually they begin bearing fruit. Cupuaçu fruits are oblong, brown, and fuzzy, 20 cm long, 1–2 kg in weight, and covered with a thick (4– 7 mm), hard exocarp. Each fruit possesses about 50 seeds. The fruit has a great aromatic potential.
Cupuaçu flowers are dark red. They appear on the bole but also on the branches.
Cupuaçu butter is obtained from the seeds of Theobroma Grandiflorum.
Information sourced from various bibliographical information and websites. Biocosmethic is not liable for any medical claims or traditional uses reproduced in this document.
Biocosmethic – 6, rue du grand chêne 78830 Bonnelles – tél. : (+33)1 30 88 49 18 [email protected] – www.biocosmethic.com
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MARKETING DOCUMENTATION
CHEMISTRY
The cupuaçu butter presents a balanced composition of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids.
Main Triglycerides Compounds Content C16:0 Palmitic acid 4-10 C18:0 Stearic acid 23-37 C18:1 Oleic acid (Ω-9) 28-52 C18:2 Linoleic acid (Ω-6) 1-6 C18:3 Linolenic acid (Ω-3) Max 2.0 C20:0 Icosanoic acid 8-17 C20:1 Icosenoic acid Max 2.0
C22:0 Docosanoic acid 0.5-4
Unsaponifiable Cupuaçu butter contains phytosterols as unsaponifiable fraction: β-sitosterol (≈79%), stigmasterol (≈10%), campesterol (≈4%).
Phytosterols are vegetable sterols.
TRADITIONNAL USES
The white pulp of the cupuaçu is uniquely fragrant. For Indigenous tribes along the Amazon, the fruit of Cupuaçu has been a primary food source for generations. It is frequently used in desserts, juices and sweets.
A bolivian drink based on cupuaçu is exported in some european countries.
In some Brasilian regions, cupuaçu beans are used to obtain a chocolate variety named “cupulate”.
Cupuaçu butter and pulp are also currently used in cosmetic and traditional medicine because of their anti-oxidative properties. Some scientific studies have shown that cupuaçu can be used to treat gastro-intestinal tract diseases. It alleviates burns.
In cosmetic, it is used to moisturize dry skins and to soften. It is twice more moisturizing than lanoline. The wood is also commonly used for timber.
Information sourced from various bibliographical information and websites. Biocosmethic is not liable for any medical claims or traditional uses reproduced in this document.
Biocosmethic – 6, rue du grand chêne 78830 Bonnelles – tél. : (+33)1 30 88 49 18 [email protected] – www.biocosmethic.com
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MARKETING DOCUMENTATION
PROPERTIES The omegas functions:
Omega-9 fatty acid (oleic acid) is a monosaturated fat generally believed to be good for one’s health. Omega-9 is not an 'essential fatty acid’ meaning that it can be manufactured by the human body in limited quantities, unlike Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. It is used by the body to fight inflammations, to reduce atherosclerosis (fat deposits on the artery walls), blood sugar balance, and to improve functioning of the immune system. Modern studies suggest that oleic acid helps lower levels of harmful low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) in the bloodstream, while leaving levels of beneficial high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) unchanged.
Omega-6 fatty acids belong to a group of "good" fats called polyunsaturated fatty acids. Unlike such "bad" fats as cholesterol and saturated fatty acids (which contribute to the worsening of a host of ailments including heart disease and other degenerative conditions), omega-6s can actually be beneficial to human health. The most healthful of the omega-6s are those that contain linoleic acid. These convert in the body to gamma linoleic acid (GLA) and ultimately to prostaglandins, hormone-like molecules that help regulate inflammation and blood pressure as well as heart, gastrointestinal, and kidney functions. The healing powers of a number of therapeutic oils rich in omega-6s-can be attributed to their high concentrations of GLA.
Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties. Consumption of omega-3 oils improves rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Raynaud's disease, and other autoimmune diseases. This is probably because the omega-3 fatty acids help the arteries, as well as many other parts of the body, stay inflammation free. Without a sufficient supply of polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, the body will use saturated fat to construct cell membranes. The resulting cell membranes are less elastic, a situation that makes the heart muscle stiffer and less able to return to a resting state. Nutritional Support with omega-3 oils is important in helping cells resist infection with the herpes family of viruses and other similar organisms.
Cosmetic property Cupuaçu butter is a great moisturizer. It has high water absorption capacity, approximately 240% superior to the Lanolin.
This high water absorption power can be attributed to the bridges of hydrogen formed between water molecules and phytosterols. This property makes the product capable to help in the emulsion stability.
Cupuaçu butter (botanical source) can replace Lanoline (animal resource) in terms of water absorption, being an excellent emollient providing a pleasant touch and softness to the skin. It facilitates the natural humidity and elasticity and it is a long lasting moisturizer for dry skins.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Wikipedia. « Theobroma Grandiflorum ».
2. Mes fruits d’Amériques Latine. « Cupuacu ».
3. Natura Brasil. « Cupuacu ».
Information sourced from various bibliographical information and websites. Biocosmethic is not liable for any medical claims or traditional uses reproduced in this document.
Biocosmethic – 6, rue du grand chêne 78830 Bonnelles – tél. : (+33)1 30 88 49 18 [email protected] – www.biocosmethic.com
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