Evaluación de los compuestos bioactivos y actividad antioxidante de flores del bosque húmedo del Ecuador

Abstract

In the context of natural resource exploration in tropical forests, a comprehensive analysis of different plant species was carried out to evaluate bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity. The results showed significant variations in the physical and chemical characteristics of the species studied. For example, Xanthosoma robustum was the species with the highest weight, Anthurium upalaense and Alpinia purpurata had the largest size. In terms of chemical properties, Tibouchina urvilleana had the highest soluble solids content, Pachistachys lutea the highest, Aechmea corymbosa the highest titratable acidity, Sanchezia speciosa the highest ash content and Impatiens hawkeri and Impatiens walleriana the highest moisture content. In addition, in terms of bioactive compounds, Acmella papposa showed high concentrations of carotenoids and Thunbergia mysorensis high levels of phenolic compounds. On the other hand, Tibouchina sp. and Impatiens hancockii showed significant antioxidant activities. These results highlight the diversity of chemical properties and bioactive compounds present in the tropical flowers of Ecuador. The results suggest the potential of these plants as a source of valuable bioactive compounds and antioxidants, which may have applications in the food, pharmaceutical and natural products industries