The methodology developed in this study through the acquisition of fingerprint chromatograms by liquid chromatography-diode array detector (LC-DAD), aided by principal component analysis, made it possible to assess, in a rational way, the chemical differences between six accessions of Lippia alba and to verify the influence of the method of extraction, the seasonality and the individuality of each accession on chemical composition of its extracts. Among all extracts analyzed against cancer cell lines, eight of them showed to be more promising against a human leukemia cell line (HL-60), displaying cell growth inhibition percentage ranging between 40.0 and 52.0%. In the inhibitory activity assays against acetylcholinesterase enzyme, all extracts showed weak inhibitory effect, with highlight only for six of them, which displayed inhibition ranging between 27.0 and 32.0%.

Mandacaru (Cereus jamacaru DC. Subsp. Jamacaru) is native to the Brazilian Caatinga and is part of the Cactaceae family. Mandacaru fruits are attractive in taste and flavour, although they are not widely commercialised. However, there is limited scientific literature on the composition of this fruit. Therefore, the present work was aimed at analysing the physicochemical composition, as well as in vitro antioxidant activity, phytochemical profile, and cytotoxicity of mandacaru fruit from three different locations in the Brazilian State of Sergipe. The pulp and peel of mandacaru fruit used in this study presented low Vitamin C concentration, mean values between batches 18.2 mg. 100 g -1 (pulp) and 27.5 mg. 100 g -1 (peel). The pulp of mandacaru fruit from the region of Monte Alegre presented the highest concentration of apparent phenolic compounds (117.2 mg. EAG g -1 ) and antioxidant activity evaluated by the inhibition of the ABTS radical (22.4 μmol. trolox g -1 ). The chemical profile of mandacaru fruit consisted of o-coumaric and p-coumaric acids, but they were not considered to be cytotoxic; thus, this native fruit is suitable for consumption, exhibiting relevant amounts of apparent phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. Further studies are needed to prolong the shelf life of the fruit for commercialisation.

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