Farag_2024_PeerJ_12_e17914

BACKGROUND: Sapota, Manilkara zapota L., are tasty, juicy, and nutrient-rich fruits, and likewise used for several medicinal uses. METHODS: The current study represents an integrated metabolites profiling of sapota fruits pulp via GC/MS and UPLC/MS, alongside assessment of antioxidant capacity, pancreatic lipase (PL), and alpha-glucosidase enzymes inhibitory effects. RESULTS: GC/MS analysis of silylated primary polar metabolites led to the identification of 68 compounds belonging to sugars (74%), sugar acids (18.27%), and sugar alcohols (7%) mediating the fruit sweetness. Headspace SPME-GC/MS analysis led to the detection of 17 volatile compounds belonging to nitrogenous compounds (72%), ethers (7.8%), terpenes (7.6%), and aldehydes (5.8%). Non-polar metabolites profiling by HR-UPLC/MS/MS-based Global Natural Products Social (GNPS) molecular networking led to the assignment of 31 peaks, with several novel sphingolipids and fatty acyl amides reported for the first time. Total phenolic content was estimated at 6.79 +/- 0.12 mg gallic acid equivalent/gram extract (GAE/g extract), but no flavonoids were detected. The antioxidant capacities of fruit were at 1.62 +/- 0.2, 1.49 +/- 0.11, and 3.58 +/- 0.14 mg Trolox equivalent/gram extract (TE/g extract) via DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays, respectively. In vitro enzyme inhibition assays revealed a considerable pancreatic lipase inhibition effect (IC(50) = 2.2 +/- 0.25 mg/mL), whereas no inhibitory effect towards alpha-glucosidase enzyme was detected. This study provides better insight into sapota fruit's flavor, nutritional, and secondary metabolites composition mediating for its sensory and health attributes.