Bioactive compounds, phenolic profile, antioxidant capacity and effectiveness against lipid peroxidation of cell membranes of Mauritia flexuosa L. fruit extracts from three biomes in the Ecuadorian Amazon

Abstract

The bioactive compounds, total antioxidant capacity and protective effect against lipid oxidative damage of red blood cell (RBC) membranes of Mauritia flexuosa L. extracts from three altitude levels (low, middle and high zones) were analyzed. The identification of the main polyphenols in the fruit was performed using High Performance Liquid Chromatography/Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry analysis, while High-Performance Liquid Chromatography - Diode Array Detector was applied for the vitamin C and carotenoid analysis. The ability of the extracts (methanolic, free polyphenols and bound polyphenols) to protect RBC membranes against oxidative destruction was assessed utilizing the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance assay (TBARS) assay. Among the 14 phenolic compounds identified, quercetin glycosides were the most predominant ones. The fruit from the middle altitude zone showed higher vitamin C and lutein contents than those from the low and high areas, whilst higher values of β -Carotene were obtained in M. flexuosa L. from the low zone. The contents of flavonoids and total polyphenols were lower in fruit from the low zone, whilst the fruit from the middle zone had the highest values. Similar results were observed in the results of the antioxidant capacity assays. However, a significant difference was not found in the protective effect of the extracts from the three altitude zones against lipid peroxidation in RBC membranes.

Flavonoid/Polyphenol Ratio in Mauritia flexuosa and Theobroma grandiflorum as an Indicator of Effective Antioxidant Action

“…The more water soluble fruit pulp, M. flexuosa, yielded better TPC registering more than 640 mg GAE/100 g in fresh pulp in 70% acetone. Previous studies, coinciding with the present work, reported higher TPC, for M. flexuosa, with values of 435.08 ± 6.97 and 362.90 ± 7.98 mg GAE/100 g of fresh pulp [23,24]. For T. grandiflorum studies revealed a total phenolic content of 40.3 mg GAE/100 g of fresh pulp [25].…”

“…According to other studies M. flexuosa reports the highest TPC and TFC values being comparable to results of the present study [22,23]. With respect to solvent affinity, 70% acetone yields better results than 80% ethanol and 70% methanol for the case of polyphenols and flavonoids in this highly water-soluble fruit pulp adding the contents at three different extraction times.…”

“…Studies have shown that phenolic-rich extracts of Theobroma grandiflorum decreased lipid peroxidation and increased plasma and tissue antioxidant capacities in high-fat fed rats [18,19]. Several studies have examined the total phenolic content in T. grandiflorum and M. flexuosa, but a comparison of the most effective extraction solvents (time of extraction) and the flavonoid/polyphenol ratio and its relation to antioxidant activity, to the best of our knowledge, has not been reported yet [20][21][22][23]. The objective of this study was to identify the best extraction approaches (solvent and time of extraction) leading to the highest yield of polyphenols and flavonoids and the consequent antioxidant activity in the Amazonian fruits M. flexuosa and T. grandiflorum.…”

Pharmacology and Phytochemistry of Ecuadorian Medicinal Plants: An Update and Perspectives

“…A high antioxidant capacity, as well a good protective effect against lipid oxidation were determined, and a direct correlation between the concentration of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity was found [29].…”

“…The content of flavones, flavonols, flavanones, phenolic acids, and carotenoids in extracts of fruits collected at three different altitudes were compared using HPLC/MS. Most flavonoid glycosides [29] contained quercetin as the aglycone.…”