Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)In this study, response surface methodology was used to optimize the extraction temperature (25-75 A degrees C) and ethanol concentration (0-70 %, ethanol/water, v/v) to maximize the extraction of total phenolic compounds (TPC) from araticum pulp. The efficiency of the extraction process was monitored over time, and equilibrium conditions were reached between 60-90 min. A second-order polynomial model was adequately fit to the experimental data with an adjusted R (2) of 0.9793 (p < 0.0001) showing that the model could efficiently predict the TPC content. Optimum extraction conditions were ethanol concentration of 46 % (v/v), extraction temperature of 75 A degrees C and extraction time of 90 min. Under the optimum conditions, the araticum pulp showed high TPC content (4.67 g GAE/100 g dw) and also high antioxidant activity in the different assays used (46.56 mu g/mL, 683.65 mu mol TE/g and 1593.72 mu mol TE/g for DPPH IC50, TEAC and T-ORAC(FL), respectively). From our extraction procedure, we successfully recovered a significantly higher amount of TPC compared to other studies in the literature to date (1.5-22-fold higher). Furthermore, TPC and antioxidant activity were present in the fruit in levels that are difficult to find in other common fruits. These results expose a potential approach for improving human health through consumption of araticum fruit.101100110Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq) [130508/2013-6]Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)