Orientador(es)
Resumo(s)
Pereskia aculeata Miller, known worldwide as ora-pro-nobis, is a highly nutritive species of the Cactaceae family
from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. In this work, we report inedited information on the phenolic profile of P.
aculeata leaves, besides a broad study of their antioxidant potential using a set of five different methods. A total
of ten phenolic compounds were identified, such as two phenolic acids (caffeic acid derivatives) and eight
flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin glycoside derivatives). Caftaric acid was the extract’s major
phenolic constituent, accounting for more than 49% of the phenolic content, followed by quercetin-3-O-rutinoside
(14.99%) and isorhamnetin-O-pentoside-O-rutinoside (9.56%). Overall, the ora-pro-nobis leaf extract
showed relevant values of antioxidant capacity, with higher activities than the Trolox in the DPPH and ABTS
trials. The antimicrobial activity exhibited by the extract against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria
suggests the presence of a broad spectrum of phytochemicals with antibiotic activity.
Descrição
Palavras-chave
Antioxidant potential Caftaric acid Cell-based assays Hydroethanolic leaf extract Pereskia aculeate Phenolic composition
Contexto Educativo
Citação
Garcia, Jéssica A.A.; Corrêa, Rúbia C.G.; Barros, Lillian; Pereira, Carla; Abreu, Rui M.V.; Alves, Maria José; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Bracht, Adelar; Peralta, Rosane M.; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R. (2019). Phytochemical profile and biological activities of 'Ora-pro-nobis' leaves (Pereskia aculeata Miller), an underexploited superfood from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Food Chemistry. ISSN 0308-8146. 294, p. 302-308