Preliminary phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity of Annona deceptrix (Westra) H. Rainer an endemic and endangered species of Ecuador.

Annona deceptrix (Westra) H. Rainer belongs to the Annonaceae family which is known to have bioactivities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflamatory, pesticide, among others. A. deceptrix ethanolic seed and leaf extracts obtained by three extraction methods (Soxhlet, ultrasound, and maceration) were tested for phytochemical and antioxidant activities. Phytochemical screening of plant extracts revealed the presence of catechins, triterpenes, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, amino acids, cardiac glycosides, anthocyanidins, reducing sugars, and saponins. Quantitative determination of total phenolic, flavonoid contents, and antioxidant activities of extracts was carried out using colorimetric methods. The highest total phenolic content was 58.14 and 54.08 mg GAE/g DW for Soxhlet extracts from leaves and seeds, respectively. The highest total flavonoid content was 5.03 and 4.42 mg QE/ g DW for macerated and ultrasound-assisted extracts from leaves, respectively. Antioxidant activity by the DPPH method was 196.07 and 146.53 μmol TE/g DW for Soxhlet extracts from seeds and leaves, respectively, and by the ABTS method was 582.68 and 580.40 μmol TE/g DW for Soxhlet and macerated extracts from leaves, respectively. Further research is needed to optimize the use of such bioactive compounds produced by Annona deceptrix and apply their biological activities in the pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic, or agrochemical industries.