Exploiting Catharanthus roseus roots: Source of antioxidants

• Tipo: Artigo em Revista Científica Internacional
• Data: 2010

Autores

David M Pereira (Autor) Outra; Joana Faria (Autor) Outra; Luis Gaspar (Autor) Outra; Federico Ferreres (Autor) Outra; Patricia Valentao (Autor) FFUP; Mariana Sottomayor (Autor) FCUP; Paula B Andrade (Autor) FFUP

Revista

Título: Food Chemistry

Vol. 121 Nº 4

Páginas: 56-61

ISSN: 0308-8146

Editora: Elsevier

Indexação

ISI Web of Knowledge - 25 Citações

Scopus - 32 Citações

Classificação Científica

FOS: Ciências agrárias > Outras ciências agrárias

Outras Informações

ID Authenticus: P-003-57E

DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2009.12.002

Resumo (PT): Catharanthus roseus is among the most important medicinal plants, mainly due to its anticancer alkaloids. Phenolics and organic acids were studied in this plant’s roots, using HPLC–MS and HPLC–UV, respectively. Neither phenolic acids nor flavonoids could be identified, but an organic acid profile composed of oxalic, cis-aconitic, citric, pyruvic, malic and fumaric acids was found. Roots proved to be much richer in these compounds than were other plant parts, previously described, reaching 187 g/kg. Antioxidant activity of the roots was evaluated using representative radicals: DPPH, superoxide radical and nitric oxide radical. The results indicate a strong anti-radical activity, surpassing that of leaves, petals, stems and seeds previously reported. Synergistic studies revealed the contribution of organic acids to the displayed effect, although other compounds, not determined herein, might be responsible for part of the activity. The results indicate that C. roseus roots could be exploited as a source of health-promoting antioxidants for use by both food and pharmaceutical industries. <br> <br> Keywords: Catharanthus roseus; Organic acids; Antioxidant activity; Roots <br> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T6R-4XVRYTW-8&_user=2460038&_coverDate=07%2F01%2F2010&_rdoc=9&_fmt=high&_orig=browse&_origin=browse&_zone=rslt_list_item&_srch=doc-info(%23toc%235037%232010%23998789998%231669130%23FLA%23display%23Volume)&_cdi=5037&_sort=d&_docanchor=&_ct=46&_acct=C000057398&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=2460038&md5=8ec7b588e5ebe4e6977e6d71afbc60ba&searchtype=a "> Texto integral</a> <br> <br>

Abstract (EN): Catharanthus roseus is among the most important medicinal plants, mainly due to its anticancer alkaloids. Phenolics and organic acids were studied in this plant's roots, using HPLC-MS and HPLC-UV, respectively. Neither phenolic acids nor flavonoids could be identified. but an organic acid profile composed of oxalic, cis-aconitic, citric, pyruvic, malic and fumaric acids was found. Roots proved to be much richer in these compounds than were other plant parts, previously described, reaching 187 g/kg. Antioxidant activity of the roots was evaluated using representative radicals: DPPH(center dot), superoxide radical and nitric oxide radical. The results indicate a strong anti-radical activity, surpassing that of leaves, petals, stems and seeds previously reported. Synergistic studies revealed the contribution of organic acids to the displayed effect, although other compounds, not determined herein, might be responsible for part of the activity. The results indicate that C roseus roots could be exploited as a source of health-promoting antioxidants for use by both food and pharmaceutical industries.

Idioma: Inglês

Tipo (Avaliação Docente): Científica

Nº de páginas: 6