Compuestos fenólicos bioactivos y ácidos orgánicos en la decocción de frutos y hojas de Schinus areira L.

Se investigaron decocciones de hojas y frutos de Schinus areira L. del noroeste de Argentina. Compuestos fenólicos y ácidos orgánicos se analizaron mediante HPLC. Capacidad antioxidante e inhibición de α-glucosidasa se determinaron in vitro. Se evaluó toxicidad general con Artemia salina. Los principales compuestos fenólicos fueron hiperósido y ácido 3 O-cafeoilquínico en hojas y ácido gálico y catequina en frutos. Los principales ácidos orgánicos cuantificados fueron málico en hojas y cítrico en frutos. Ácido shikímico, precursor del Tamiflu está presente en decocción de frutos con un contenido relativamente importante. La de hojas presenta una mayor riqueza en compuestos bioactivos con actividad antirradicalaria frente a DPPH●, O2●- y ●NO. Las hojas y frutos de S. areira tenían una actividad inhibidora de la α-glucosidasa comparable a la de hiperósido y acarbosa. La decocción de frutas no fue eco-tóxica, pero sí la de hojas que podría ser fuente de compuestos bioactivos con actividad farmacológica.Leaf and fruit decoctions of Schinus areira L. from northwest Argentina were investigated here. Phenolic compounds and organic acids were analyzed by HPLC. Antioxidant capacity and αglucosidase inhibition were determined by using in vitro tests. The general toxicity was assessed against Artemia salina nauplii. Hyperoside and 3 O-caffeoylquinic acid in leaf decoctions; gallic acid and catechin in fruit decoction were the major phenolic compounds. Malic and citric acids were the main organic acid quantified in the leaf and fruit decoctions, respectively. Fruit decoction had a relatively important content of shikimic acid, precursor of Tamiflu. Leaf decoction presents a greater richness in bioactive compounds with antiradical activity against DPPH●, O2●- and ●NO radicals. S. areira leaves and fruits had α-glucosidase inhibitory activity comparable to hyperoside and acarbose. Fruit decoction was not eco-toxic; leaf decoction showed significant eco-toxic activity and could be chosen for the search of other bioactive compounds with pharmacological activity.Fil: Celaya, Liliana Soledad. Universidad Nacional de Misiones; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: Molina, Ana C.. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Facultad de Ingeniería; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez, Adriana M.. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Facultad de Ingeniería; ArgentinaFil: Villa, Walter Cosme. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Facultad de Ingeniería; ArgentinaFil: Silva, Luis R.. Universidad de Porto; PortugalFil: Viturro, Carmen Ines. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Facultad de Ingeniería; Argentin

Characterization of Origanum Species Grown in Quebrada de Humahuaca

ABSTRACT In order to contribute to the characterization of oregano implanted in Quebrada de Humahuaca (Jujuy, Argentina) physical properties and chemical composition of essential oils (EO) were determined. Pilot and laboratory scale EO were obtained by steam distillation and hydrodistillation (using a Clevenger type trap) respectively from samples of oregano collected from a small production: Oregano negro(On), Oregano compacto(Oc), Oregano mendocino(Oxm) y Oregano criollo(Oxa). Influence of storing period and extraction techniques were also evaluated. All EO were dextrorotatory (+5 to +15) with 0.92 mean specific gravity and 1.483 mean refractive index. Both hybrids (Oxm and Oxa) and Oc belong to A group characterized by Skoula et al. (1999) because the major compounds are aromatic monoterpenes and/or their precursors. O. Negro is closely related to less common sesquiterpene type. It is necessary a complete work on botanical identity correlated with the physical and chemical characterization of essential oils from different Origanum species grown in our country to have a contrasting quality tool