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Background The macaúba palm is a novel feedstock for oil production suitable for multiple uses, including as biodiesel and in the food and cosmetic industries. As an efficient alternative, the macaúba palm has limited genomic resources, particularly expressed sequence tag (EST) markers. We report a comprehensive set of validated EST-simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers by using transcriptome sequencing, its application in genetic diversity analysis and cross transferability in other palm trees with environmental and economic importance. Results In this study, a total of 418 EST-SSRs were identified to be unique for one transcript and region; 232 EST-SSRs were selected, with trinucleotide repeats being the most frequent motif, representing 380 (90.9%), followed by composited (4.5%), di- (3.6%), and hexanucleotides (3.6%). A total of 145 EST-SSRs (62.5%) were validated for consistent amplification in seventeen macaúba palm samples, and 100 were determined to be polymorphic with PIC values ranging from 0.25 to 0.77. Genetic diversity analysis was performed with the 20 most informative EST-SSR markers showing a distinct separation of the different groups of macaúba palm. Additionally, these 145 markers were transferred in six other palm species resulting in transferability rates of 99% (144) in Acrocomia intumescens , 98% (143) in Acrocomia totai , 80.7% (117 EST-EST) in African oil palm ( Elaeis guineensis ) and peach palm ( Bactris gasipaes ) samples, 70% (102) in the juçara palm ( Euterpe edulis ) and 71.7% (104) in the hat palm ( Sabal causiarum ). Analysis of genetic distance showed a high separation in accordance with geographic location, establishing distinct groups by genera. Conclusions The EST markers identified in our study are a valuable resource and provide a genomic tool for genetic mapping and further genetic studies, as well as evaluation of co-location between QTLs and functionally associated markers .

The diversification of biomass resources is key to the transition towards a bioeconomy. Acrocomia spp., a neotropical genus of palms, is an example of plants’ diversity potential for a sustainable bioeconomy. Acrocomia’s adaptability to environments outside rainforests, its specific fruit properties and high yields has generated the interest of researchers and entrepreneurs, triggering its introduction as a multipurpose oil crop. Developing sustainability-oriented and knowledge-based acrocomia value webs requires a collaborative, systems approach from the outset. Fostering an inter- and transdisciplinary dialogue on acrocomia through a participatory workshop with both academic and non-academic actors contributed to this endeavor. This allowed the identification of priorities, knowledge gaps, and stakeholder roles, and served as the basis for the co-creation of a research and development roadmap. Key steps for the introduction of acrocomia include intertwined technical aspects relating to the development of planting material, cultivation systems, processing technologies and applications, market entry, and value web governance aspects. A broad collaboration among scientists, the public and private sectors, farmers, and civil society, is required for the development of acrocomia value webs. The incorporation of sustainability and a consideration of context in the design and development phases are fundamental to fostering the sustainable performance of acrocomia value webs.

The macauba palm produces high-quality oil, with oil content in the fruit potentially increasing after harvest. However, storage limitations due to microorganism and metabolism deterioration restrict the fruit's shelf life. This study evaluated the effects of the ethylene inhibitor 1-MCP on the physiological, physical, and chemical characteristics of macauba palm fruits, focusing on oil quality preservation during storage. Various concentrations of 1-MCP (0, 1000, 2000, and 3000 nL L-1) were applied over two exposures (12 and 24 hours) times during fruit storage, assessed at six intervals. Untreated fruits exhibited damaged mesocarp and spoilage by the end of storage, while 1-MCP treatment notably suppressed spoilage. The inhibitor reduced respiration and ethylene production throughout storage, although it did not completely prevent climacteric peaks of CO2 and ethylene, which lessened with higher 1-MCP concentrations. Additionally, 1-MCP delayed ripening, reflected in slower accumulation of total soluble solids and reduced mesocarp firmness loss. Treated fruits showed smaller increases in mesocarp oil content during storage, and the inhibitor also slowed oil acidification. Overall, the responses in all parameters improved with higher 1-MCP concentrations, indicating that 1-MCP could be an effective post-harvest strategy for maintaining the quality of macauba palm fruits and their oil.

The species of Acrocomia are popularly known as Macaw palm due to their importance as a food source for Anodorhynchus (Psittacidae). They are monoecious, with a mixed reproductive system, and high ecological and economic importance. There is controversy regarding the taxonomic status of Acrocomia aculeata and Acrocomia totai as different species; to avoid misunderstanding, we adopted the ecotype terminology. Using range-wide sampling in Brazil and based on microsatellite data, we aimed to understand the genetic diversity of A. aculeata and A. totai and to evaluate if the genetic structure between them was different. Our results support a separation of Acrocomia aculeata and A. totai based on the patterns of genetic variation between the ecotypes. These findings are supported by the optimal clustering of K = 7, congruent with network analysis, as well as pairwise genetic differentiation and detected barriers to gene flow. We found no evidence of recent bottlenecks in all populations, excepting two. The genetic structure was mainly associated with rivers and topography, but there was also evidence of gene flow among most populations. The association of the genetic structure with the geographical distribution of populations was more evident in A. aculeata than in A. totai. Populations located at the western portion of Brazil showed a high degree of admixture, notably among A. totai populations. The identification of areas with the highest genetic diversity of Acrocomia contributes useful information for plant breeding programs and the detection of potential genotypes of interest for germplasm collections.

Arecaceae palm tree fruits (APTFs) with pulp or kernel rich in oil are widely distributed in six Brazilian biomes. APTFs represent a great potential for the sustainable exploitation of products with high added value, but few literature studies have reported their properties and industrial applications. The lack of information leads to underutilization, low consumption, commercialization, and processing of these fruit species. This review presents and discusses the occurrence of 13 APTFs and the composition, physicochemical properties, bioactive compounds, and potential applications of their 25 oils and fats. The reported studies showed that the species present different lipid profiles. Multivariate analysis based on principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) indicated a correlation between the composition of pulp and kernel oils. Myristic, caprylic, capric, and lauric acids are the main saturated fatty acids, while oleic acid is the main unsaturated. Carotenoids and phenolic compounds are the main bioactive compounds in APTFs, contributing to their high oxidative stability. The APTFs oils have a potential for use as foods and ingredients in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and biofuel industries. However, more studies are still necessary to better understand and exploit these species.

Acrocomia spp., a genus of wild-growing palms in the neotropics, is rapidly gaining interest as a promising multipurpose crop. Diverse products can be derived from various components of the palm, the oils being of highest interest. Acrocomia shows similar oil yield and fatty acid composition to the African oil palm ( Elaeis guineensis ). It is, however, able to cope with a wider range of environmental conditions, including temporary water scarcity and lower temperatures, thus potentially a more sustainable alternative to its tropical counterpart. Acrocomia’s research history is recent compared to other traditional crops and thus knowledge gaps, uncertainty, and challenges need to be addressed. This review attempts to assess the acrocomia’s preparedness for cultivation by highlighting the state-of-the-art in research and identifying research gaps. Based on a systematic literature search following a value web approach, it (a) provides a comprehensive overview of research topics, (b) shows the development of publication activities over time and the drivers of this development, and (c) compiles main findings to assess the acrocomia’s preparedness for commercial cultivation. Our results confirm its multipurpose characteristic as a potential feedstock for manifold sectors. Research has continued to increase over the last decade, especially on A. aculeata and is driven by the interest in bioenergy. Increasing knowledge on botany has contributed to understanding the genetic diversity and genus-specific biology. This has enabled applied research on seed germination and propagation toward domestication and initial plantation activities, mostly in Brazil. Main research gaps are associated with genotype–environment interaction, planting material, crop management, and sustainable cropping systems. Overall, we conclude that acrocomia is at an early phase of development as an alternative and multipurpose crop and its up-scaling requires the integration of sustainability strategies tailored to location-based social-ecological conditions.

The search for sustainable alternatives to petroleum has driven research on biofuels, with a focus on those derived from organic biomass. This study centres on macaúba ( Acrocomia aculeata ), a promising oilseed for biodiesel production. Advances in cultivation techniques and the mapping of climatically suitable areas are essential to consolidate the use of this species in the energy sector. This work aimed to utilise predictive modelling with the CLIMEX software to assess the current and future climatic suitability of macaúba in the context of climate change. Data on the global distribution of macaúba, growth and stress parameters, as well as climatic variables, were collected. The modelling was conducted based on the A2 SRES scenario for the present, 2050, 2080, and 2100, including the generation of the Weekly Growth Index. Results indicated high suitability in tropical regions, particularly in Brazil and Indonesia. However, future projections highlight significant challenges due to rising temperatures and reduced rainfall. The study provides a critical perspective to guide sustainable policies in the energy sector, underscoring the potential of macaúba as a viable biodiesel source while warning of the challenges posed by climate change.

Macauba palm [ Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd. ex Mart.] is a perennial oil, it stands out for having several characteristics of commercial interest, mainly for producing oil for biodiesel, it has high oil productivity, about 2.5 to 4.5 L·year -1 . Despite its great potential, o its cultivation is carried out mainly in an extractive way, so the domestication and breeding programs has been incipient. The study hypothesis is that macauba populations collected in different locations have sufficient genetic variability to initiate a breeding program. Thus, the aim of this study was to estimate the genetic diversity and population structure of macauba palm genotypes by using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers in order to reveal genetic diversity and distribution of genetic variation within and between populations and use the genetic information obtained to assist breeding strategies. Leaf tissues were collected from 566 macauba plants belonging to the Embrapa Cerrados Active Germplasm Bank, composed of genotypes from five states in Brazil: Minas Gerais, Goiás, Pará, São Paulo, and Distrito Federal. Molecular variance analysis estimated, the genetic diversity parameters, the population structure and principal coordinate analysis. The genetic diversity is higher within than between populations. The results provided by PCoA and STRUCTURE were in agreement and indicated that the evaluated genotypes can be grouped into two groups. Genetic diversity parameters reveal the presence of inbreeding and a low number of heterozygotes, evidencing that the reproduction system of the species is mixed. The information revealed of the genotypes using SNP markers will be important for future studies using genome-wide selection and genomic association to develop cultivars of macauba with desirable traits, such as high yield of fruits and oil production.

Acrocomia (Arecaceae) is a genus widely distributed in tropical and subtropical America that has been achieving economic interest due to the great potential of oil production of some of its species. In particular A . aculeata , due to its vocation to supply oil with the same productive capacity as the oil palm ( Elaeis guineenses ) even in areas with water deficit. Although eight species are recognized in the genus, the taxonomic classification based on morphology and geographic distribution is still controversial. Knowledge about the genetic diversity and population structure of the species is limited, which has limited the understanding of the genetic relationships and the orientation of management, conservation, and genetic improvement activities of species of the genus. In the present study, we analyzed the genomic diversity and population structure of Acrocomia genus, including 172 samples from seven species, with a focus on A . aculeata with 117 samples covering a wide geographical area of occurrence of the species, using Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers originated from Genotyping By Sequencing (GBS).The genetic structure of the Acrocomia species were partially congruent with the current taxonomic classification based on morphological characters, recovering the separation of the species A . aculeata , A . totai , A . crispa and A . intumescens as distinct taxonomic groups. However, the species A . media was attributed to the cluster of A . aculeata while A . hassleri and A . glauscescens were grouped together with A . totai . The species that showed the highest and lowest genetic diversity were A . totai and A . media , respectively. When analyzed separately, the species A . aculeata showed a strong genetic structure, forming two genetic groups, the first represented mainly by genotypes from Brazil and the second by accessions from Central and North American countries. Greater genetic diversity was found in Brazil when compared to the other countries. Our results on the genetic diversity of the genus are unprecedented, as is also establishes new insights on the genomic relationships between Acrocomia species. It is also the first study to provide a more global view of the genomic diversity of A . aculeata . We also highlight the applicability of genomic data as a reference for future studies on genetic diversity, taxonomy, evolution and phylogeny of the Acrocomia genus, as well as to support strategies for the conservation, exploration and breeding of Acrocomia species and in particular A . aculeata .

Enzymatic biodiesel production is a potential eco-friendly alternative to the conventional chemical route which requires extensive study to reduce the costs associated with the application of commercial enzymes. Thus, this study aimed to develop a bioprocess using residues from macauba (Acrocomia aculeata) as raw material for lipase production in solid-state fermentation (SSF) by Yarrowia lipolytica. Then, the product obtained was used as a biocatalyst for the conversion (hydrolysis/esterification) of macauba acidic oil to biodiesel esters. Firstly, different SSF parameters (inoculum concentration, initial moisture content, and carbon and nitrogen levels) were investigated in a factorial design approach, using the cake from macauba fruit. Afterwards, moisture and urea concentration were shown to be statistically significant variables for lipase production. Lipase productnivities were 12.6 ± 0.6 U g−1 h−1 (at 24 h) for macauba fruit cake and 11.6 ± 1 U g−1 h−1 (at 20 h) for macauba pulp and peel cake. The solid enzymatic preparation (biocatalyst) showed optimized values at pH 6–7 at 37 °C, remaining stable (>70% retention) for 90 days at room temperature. Finally, enzymatic hydrolysis of the acidic oil from macauba reached 96% conversion (72 h) to fatty acids, and esterification of fatty acids reached 72% (biodiesel yield of 67%). The bioprocess described is a promising alternative for an integral and self-sufficient valorization of the macauba products.