Antibacterial, total phenols, antioxidant, and fatty acids of the lyophilized body fat of Podocnemis expansa (Schweigger, 1812) from farm in Acre State, Brazil

Podocnemis expansa (Podocnemididae) is a chelonian of suborder Pleurodira and is popularly known as Amazon turtle. The animal’s body fat was removed from the farm in Xapuri city in Acre State, Brazil. The fat was lyophilized and the oil was extracted by the Soxhlet method using hexane, as a solvent. The fatty acids majority, identified and quantified by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector, were: Arachidonic (25.2%), oleic (ω9, 17.6%), palmitic (ω7, 13.5%), stearic (11.9%) and linoleic (ω6, 9.5%). These, are essential for human health and can be helpful in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, psoriasis, improving symptoms of depression, Alzheimer's disease, among others therapies and pathologies. The total phenolic compounds (377.52%) and the antioxidant activity (88.64%) determined in this investigation indicate its high potential in preventing lower risks of cardiovascular and other chronic diseases. Therefore, the results demonstrate the pharmacological, therapeutic and nutraceutical potential of the main chemical constituents of these substances for prospecting and developing biologically active and functional molecules to expand scientific investigations and the commercial chemical industry. Key words: Chelonians, fatty acids, biodiversity, chromatography, Amazon turtle.