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Wigandia ecuadoriensis , a member of the Namaceae family, is a source of metabolites and has been traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory. This work aimed to determine the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant effect, inhibition of α-glucosidase and cholinesterase enzymes (AChE, BChE), and antibacterial activity of the methanolic extract (ME) and subfractions of Wigandia ecuadoriensis . The findings revealed that ME and its subfractions exhibited significant antioxidant capacity, with the ethyl acetate fraction being the most active, displaying an IC 50 of 17.66 µg/mL against the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and 10.31 µg/mL against 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS). This activity was attributed to its high total phenolic content (357.47 mg GAE/g). Furthermore, W. ecuadoriensis fractions showed marked antimicrobial properties against human pathogen strains with Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) values ​​of 1.56–6.25 mg/mL for S. aureus , E. faecalis and E. coli . Furthermore, aqueous fraction exhibited slight inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (IC 50 : 915.98 µg/mL) and butyrylcholinesterase (IC 50 : 380.42 µg/mL). Interestingly, EF showed the greatest inhibitory effect of α-glucosidase (IC 50 : 38.44 µg/mL) which is more potent than the control used, acarbose (IC 50 : 179.07 µg/mL). UHPLC-QTOF-MS analysis identified forty compounds, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, saponins, terpenes, and fatty acyls. As far as we know, this is the first study to evaluate the chemical composition and biological potential of W. ecuadoriensis . Our results provide the first evidence to the chemical knowledge of the species W. ecuadoriensis and demonstrate its bioactive potential as an interesting source of secondary metabolites with possible beneficial properties for health.

This study aimed to characterize the metabolomic profile of monofloral honey from Eucryphia cordifolia (ulmo) and evaluate the potential transfer of bioactive compounds from the plant parts, including the leaves and flowers, to the honey. Using UHPLC/Q-TOF-MS analysis, various flavonoids and phenolic acids were identified and quantified in extracts from the leaves, flowers, and honey from E. cordifolia. Given their rich polyphenolic composition, E. cordifolia leaves were included in this study to assess their potential contribution to the antioxidant properties and chemical markers of ulmo honey. Additionally, the polyphenolic compounds in honey samples were quantified. Chromatographic analysis via UHPLC-MS/MS revealed that ulmo honey contains phenolic acids such as gallic, syringic, ferulic, chlorogenic, caffeic, and coumaric acid, as well as flavonoids including pinocembrin, quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, epicatechin, apigenin, and isorhamnetin. The results indicate that pinocembrin and gallic acid are the main chemical markers of ulmo honey, while isorhamnetin could complement its characterization as a complementary marker. UHPLC/Q-TOF-MS analysis was also utilized to compare the compounds present in the honey with those found in the plant parts (leaves and flowers), respectively. A total of 10 shared compounds were identified, 9 of which were preliminarily identified, while 1 remains unknown. Notably, dihydroquercetin 3-O-rhamnoside, quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside, cyanidin 3-(p-coumaroyl)-glucoside, and eupatorin were detected in ulmo honey for the first time. Along with gallic acid, pinocembrin, and isorhamnetin, these compounds could contribute to a characteristic fingerprint for identifying the botanical origin of the honey. Overall, these findings provide valuable insights into the chemical composition of ulmo honey and its potential application as a functional product with antioxidant properties.

Pintoa chilensis is a shrub with yellow flowers that reach up to two meters high, endemic of the Atacama Region in Chile. This species grows under special environmental conditions such as low altitude, arid areas, and directly sun-exposed habitats. In the present study, ethanolic extract was obtained from fruits of P. chilensis, and then partitioned in solvents of increasing polarity to obtain five fractions: hexane (HF), dichloromethane (DF), ethyl acetate (AF), and the residual water fraction (QF). The antioxidant activity of extracts was evaluated by using the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP methods. The results show that the antioxidant capacity of P. chilensis is higher than that reported for other plants growing in similar environments. This effect is attributed to the highest content of flavonoids and total phenols found in P. chilensis. On the other hand, the cell viability of a breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) and a non-tumor cell line (MCF-10A) was assessed in the presence of different extract fractions. The results indicate that the hexane fraction (HF) exhibits the highest cytotoxicity on both cell lines (IC50 values equal to 35 and 45 µg/mL), whereas the dichloromethane fraction (DF) is the most selective one. The GC–MS analysis of the dichloromethane fraction (DF) shows the presence of fatty acids, sugars, and polyols as major components.

The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing power (FRAP), and semivolatile compounds of Conyza bonariensis L. leave extract and fractions are discussed. A methanolic crude extract was obtained through maceration, and subsequently, n-hexane, chloroform, and ethyl acetate fractions were collected using a solvent-solvent partition. Total phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity assays were performed in an ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer, and the results were expressed as Gallic Acid, Quercetin, and Trolox equivalents respectively. The findings achieved indicate that ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging capacity (90.69±3.16%) at 500 µg mL-1, and reduced the ferric tripyridyltriazine complex (Fe3+-TPTZ) with values between 19.68 and 2,355.37 mg Trolox equivalent (TE) g-1. It was identified 28 phytoconstituents through Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The scavenging activity of ethyl acetate fraction could be correlated mostly to the presence of eugenol, trans-isoeugenol, lucenin-2, methyl salicylate, and syringic acid. This study reveals that the ethyl acetate fraction could be used as a good source of antioxidants for health benefits.

Cocoa bean shell (CBS) is a by-product with aromatic characteristics that can enhance the aroma and bioactivity of herbal infusions. This study was aimed to determine the effect of the addition of cocoa bean shell on the metabolite profile and antioxidant activity of infusions made with Ilex guayusa and Vernonanthura patens and their mixtures. Metabolite profile was analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry combined with multivariate analysis. Total polyphenol content and flavonoids were determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method and by the flavonoid-AlCl3 complex, respectively. Antioxidant activities were measured by the decolorization assay of the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical and the ferric reducing antioxidant power. The results revealed that the addition of CBS increases the content of phenolic acids in the infusions (caffeic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, and pyrocatechol). Nonetheless, the antioxidant activity of the infusions decreased with the addition of CBS (16.21 to 2.74 TEAC). Carboxylic acids and derivatives, major compounds present in the infusions prepared with V. patens, were the metabolites that showed the highest correlation with the antioxidant activity. This study suggests that the infusions made with CBS present a profile of metabolites different from the infusions of I. guayusa, V. patens, and their mixtures.

The influence of air-drying (AD), convection oven (CO) and solar drying (SOD) on the physical and chemical properties of Ilex guayusa leaves is discussed. Total ash (%), acid-insoluble ash (%), watersoluble ash (%), residual moisture (%) and caffeine content (%) were estimated. Additionally, alkaloids, flavonoids, reducing sugars, saponins, steroids, quinones, fats, phenols and tannins detection of dry leaves extracts were assessed. The results revealed that parameters of physical analysis were not affected by the drying techniques. The highest amount of secondary metabolites in ethanol and aqueous extracts were detected. In general, convection oven dried leaves showed the highest caffeine content (3.71%) and the lowest drying time (13 h) compared to other drying methods. The results revealed a fast method to dry Ilex guayusa leaves and indicate that this species possess a variety of bioactive compounds beneficial for health. Our results revealed an effective quick method to dry Ilex guayusa leaves without altering the content of beneficial bioactive components.

Aedes aegypti is a mosquito that carries dengue virus, yellow fever and other diseases transmitted to humans. Organophosphorus larvicides are used to control the proliferation of this mosquito, which has generated a high degree of resistance; hence, new alternatives such as bio-larvicides formulated with plant extracts are of great interest. The aims of this study were to evaluate the ethanolic extract of Azadirachta indica leaves as a larvicide against Aedes aegypti and to determine the main compounds present in it by GC-MS. In the assay, three concentrations of ethanolic extract were used (10 mg L-1, 20 mg L-1, and 50 mg L-1). This was performed thrice against a positive control (commercial larvicide: spores and endotoxic crystals of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis Serotype H-14) and negative control (water). After 72 h of incubation, it was observed higher larval mortality (93%) in the ethanolic extract at a concentration of 50 mg L-1; the extracts at 10 mg L-1 and 20 mg L-1 shown larval mortality of 47% and 70%, respectively. The majority compound determined by the GC-MS analysis was phytol (14.4% area). The results obtained in this study demonstrated the larvicidal potential of the ethanolic extract of A. indica against larvae of A. aegypti.

Pintoa chilensis is a shrub with yellow flowers that reach up to two meters high, endemic of the Atacama Region in Chile. This species grows under special environmental conditions such as low altitude, arid areas, and directly sun-exposed habitats. In the present study, ethanolic extract was obtained from fruits of P. chilensis , and then partitioned in solvents of increasing polarity to obtain five fractions: hexane (HF), dichloromethane (DF), ethyl acetate (AF), and the residual water fraction (QF). The antioxidant activity of extracts was evaluated by using the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP methods. The results show that the antioxidant capacity of P. chilensis is higher than that reported for other plants growing in similar environments. This effect is attributed to the highest content of flavonoids and total phenols found in P. chilensis. On the other hand, the cell viability of a breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) and a non-tumor cell line (MCF-10A) was assessed in the presence of different extract fractions. The results indicate that the hexane fraction (HF) exhibits the highest cytotoxicity on both cell lines (IC[sub.50] values equal to 35 and 45 µg/mL), whereas the dichloromethane fraction (DF) is the most selective one. The GC–MS analysis of the dichloromethane fraction (DF) shows the presence of fatty acids, sugars, and polyols as major components.

Cocoa production is economically significant in Ecuador but large quantities of waste are generated during the industrialization process. The aim of this study is to improve the quality parameters of cooking oils using polyphenols extracted from cocoa bean shell. A 32 factorial design was used in the determination of optimal conditions for the use of polyphenols as antioxidant for the oils. The polyphenol concentration added to the oil (0%, 0.02%, and 0.04%) and the times of repeated use (0, 10 and 20 times) were consider as factors and free fatty acids, peroxide index, clarity, and DPPH antioxidant activity were selected as the dependent variables. Response surface method was applied for optimization. The required concentration for stabilized cooking oil was 0.01 % with a desirability value of 97.59%. These results are novel and prove the usefulness of cocoa waste as a source of antioxidants.

In 2014, Ecuador generated 141,000 MT of cocoa sweatings equivalent to 12,320 MT of reducing sugars that through fermentation can become Bioetanol. Cocoa sweatings was characterized to determinate its potential as biofuel. Methodologies described by AOAC 2005 standards were used. Values of 10.6 Brix; pH 3.58; density 1.10 g/ml, total sugars 12,33% reducing sugars 6.39% were observed. Chemical groups such as alkaloids, reducing sugars, and coumarins triterpenoid were identified by phytochemical screeninng. 20 chemical compounds were detected using by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS): 3 carboxilic acids, 4 sugar acids, 3 sugar alcohols, 2 amino acids, 1 furan, 2 lactones, 1 monosaccharides, 2 disaccharides and 2 glycosides. They represent the 11.08% of total compounds separated, and Sucrose (2.15%), glucose (2.13%) and fructose (4.42%) were identified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The study showed that for each kilogram of dry cocoa produced 0.59 kg of mucilage are obtained and its sugars are an interesting source of raw material for the production of second generation bioethanol, results that contribute to reducing the environmental impact that generate these waste.