Actividad antioxidante y composición química del aceite esencial de Minthostachys mollis (Benth.) Griseb de Ecuador

Manilkara achras (Mill.) Fosberg, Averrhoa carambola L. y Spondia mombin L., are widely cultivated fruits in various tropical countries of the world. The juice of these fruits has a very important nutritional and antioxidant power since they are a natural source of vitamins, minerals, fibers and polyphenolic compounds such as tannins and flavonoids. Because the presence of phenolic compounds is closely related to the antioxidant activity of fruits and vegetables, in this work, we quantified the total amount of phenolic compounds using the Folin-Ciocalteu method, finding the following values, M. achras 100.2 ± 0.009; A carambola 102.7 ± 0.001 y S mombin 103.7 ± 0.027 mg EAG/100 g dry weight of extract. These results are in agreement with the qualitative phytochemical evaluation carried out on the ethanolic extracts, in which the presence of tannic compounds was markedly evidenced. Furthermore, compounds such as alkaloids, triterpenes, coumarins, anthraquinones, flavonoids and glycosides were also observed. The valours of IC50 observe to antioxidant activity using DPPH reactive were M achras 1.030 ± 0.032 mg/mL; followed by S mombin 1.366 ± 0.054 mg/mL and finally A carambola 2,807 ± 0.053 mg/mL. These results show the possibility of encouraging the cultivation and greater consumption of these fruits among the Venezuelan population. An evaluation of nutritional value of these fruits; as well as the most suitable time for harvest in relation the content of polyphenolic compounds should be carried out in future research.