Peltomexicanin, a Peltogynoid Quinone Methide from Peltogyne Mexicana Martínez Purple Heartwood

Peltomexicanin (7,10-dihydroxy-6,12-dioxa-5H-tetraphen-3-one) is a new peltogynoid quinone methide isolated from Palo Morado (Peltogyne mexicana Martínez) heartwood by column chromatography. Its chemical structure was elucidated by IR, NMR (1H, 13C), 2D NMR experiments (COSY, NOESY, HMQC, and HSQC), ESI-MS, and UV-Vis spectroscopic analysis. According to HPLC quantification, this compound is the main pigment and accounts for 1.21% of Palo Morado heartwood material. The antioxidant activity of peltomexicanin and dried methanolic extract (DEx) of purple heartwood was evaluated using the radical of 2,2’-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) assay, and the corresponding values expressed as Trolox equivalents (µmol TE/mg sample) were 4.25 and 4.57, respectively

Comparative Analysis of Betalain Content in <i>Stenocereus Stellatus</i> Fruits and Other Cactus Fruits Using Principal Component Analysis

<div><p><i>Stenocereus stellatus</i> fruits from Puebla, Mexico, with red, purple, yellow, and white pulp were characterized regarding their total betalain content, and physicochemical properties. The total betalain content was 856.07–2968 µg per gram of pulp dry weight. Using principal component analysis, the levels of pigments in <i>S. stellatus</i> fruits were compared with 32 samples from other cactus fruits. As a result, three confidence intervals for total betalain content (μg g⁻¹) were calculated: low (<1208), medium (2935–3288), and high (4488–9248). Thus, the cactus fruits can be categorized as a poor, good, and excellent source of betalain pigments.</p></div