Abstract

The proper use of plants and their extracts, whether for medicine or as a food additive, requires the use of extraction and characterization methods that allow the identification and quantification of the active principles in each extract, associating them with the effect produced. With this objective, the present work was developed to  study the ultrasonic extracts of mangabeira (Hancornia speciosa Gomes), obtained from bark, leaves, and fruits of mangabeira in search of compounds with phytotherapeutic potential, particularly, anti-inflammatory activity. This plant is native to Brazil, belonging to the Apocinaceae family and is used in folk medicine to treat various diseases. The extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography and liquid chromatography, to test their antioxidant activity without toxicity. It was found that the extracts did not present toxicity as they have great antioxidant power. Identification of the compounds by GC/MS indicated the presence of Lupeol and Lupeol acetate as major compounds. The general characterization of extracts showed high contents of total phenolic compounds, flavonoids and flavonol in leaves and tannins (9 mg g-1) in the fruits. Some compounds such as Chlorogenic acid ( 35 mg g-1 in leaves and fruits), Catechin ( 35 mg g-1 in leaves, peels and fruits), Rutin ( 35 mg g-1 in leaves, peels and fruits) and Isoquercetin (35 mg g-1 only in the leaves) were also identified and quantified by HPLC/UV-DAD.

Key words: Hancornia speciosa Gomes; medicinal plants; Gas chromatography; Lupeol; Antioxidants; flavonoids.