Exploración de los metabolitos secundarios de Ixora coccinea mediante un tamizaje fitoquímico y actividad biológica para su aprovechamiento biotecnológico en el Ecuador

Abstract

In this study, we conducted a research of the I. coccinea shrub that belong to the Rubiaceae family. We collected leaves from this plant at Universidad Politécnica Salesiana, Campus María Auxiliadora, and prepared a hydroalcoholic extract. Phytochemical screening of this extract revealed a variety of metabolites, including alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, carbohydrates, triterpenes, coumarins, terpenoids, and sesquiterpene lactones. Using FTIR spectroscopy, we found that Saigon Cinnamon (Cinnamomum loureiroi) had the closest match to our extract, with a 61.26% similarity. We also assessed the antioxidant capacity of the extract using the DPPH method and found an IC50 of 10.65 micrograms per milliliter, indicating that I. coccinea has significant antioxidant activity. This creates opportunities for its use in fields like medicine, agriculture, the food industry, and cosmetics. The encouraging results from our study suggest that I. coccinea has substantial biotechnological potential, ensuring further research to uncover its benefits and possible applications.