Volume 62, August 2014, Pages 684–693
Pterospartum tridentatum, Gomphrena globosa and Cymbopogon citratus: A phytochemical study focused on antioxidant compounds
Highlights
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- C. citratus, P. tridentatum and G. globosa are sources of antioxidants.
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- Phenolic compounds were characterized.
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- Luteolin 2″-O-rhamnosyl-6-C-glucoside was found in C. citratus.
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- Dihydroflavonol and isoflavone derivatives were detected in P. tridentatum.
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- Kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside and betacyanins were present in G. globosa.
Abstract
Pterospartum tridentatum (L.) Willk., Gomphrena globosa L. and Cymbopogon citratus
(DC) Stapf. are examples of medicinal plants that demand a more
detailed characterization. Therefore, phenolic composition (e.g.,
phenolic acids and flavonoids) was analyzed by chromatographic and mass
spectrometry techniques and the antioxidant activity was also accessed
through free radicals scavenging activity, reducing power and inhibition
of lipid peroxidation in brain homogenates.
C. citratus revealed the highest β-carotene bleaching and lipid peroxidation inhibitions, being luteolin 2″-O-rhamnosyl-6-C-glucoside the main compound. P. tridentatum
presented the highest 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical
scavenging activity and reducing power and mainly dihydroflavonol and
isoflavone derivatives were detected. Otherwise, G. globosa presented kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside
as the most abundant phenolic compound and betacyanins were only
present in this sample. It is very interesting to study the
phytochemical composition of these plants, given the importance of their
consumption.
Keywords
- Pterospartum tridentatum;
- Gomphrena globosa;
- Cymbopogon citratus;
- Phytochemicals;
- Antioxidants
- Corresponding author. Tel.:
+ 351 273 303219; fax: + 351 273 325405.
- Corresponding author. Tel.: + 351 273 303200; fax: + 351 273 325405.
