Content of total phenols and antioxidant activity in fruits of the Salvadoran flora

Abstract

Due the increase prevalence of diseases related to oxidative stress; it has become necessary to seek alternatives for their prevention. These groups of diseases have a significant impact on life expectancy regardless of gender, and constitute health conditions that bring a high psychological and economic cost to the population. In recent years, the study of the properties of plant-based foods has gained particular interest, especially regarding the evaluation of their antioxidant effect. In the present investigation, the quantification of total phenols was determined   using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The evaluation of the antioxidant activity was conducted in twenty fruits of plant species belonging to the Salvadoran flora, using the DPPH method. The results showed that the fruits with the highest number of total phenols were Theobroma cacao “Cacao”, followed by Annona diversifolia “Anona rosada” and similar concentrations were observed Spondias purpurea “Jocote chapín”, Muntingia calabura “Capulín” and Annona diversifolia “Anona blanca”.  The order of antioxidant activity, based on antioxidant capacity, was as follows: Eriobotrya japonica "Níspero", Licania platypus "Sunza", Spondias purpurea "Jocote corona", Artocarpus altilis "Árbol de pan" and Annona diversifolia "Anona rosada".  The results suggest that fruits present an alternative, not only nutritional, but also as a source of antioxidant substances to prevent chronic diseases. Therefore, their consumption and use can be proposed to the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry for developing products that provide benefits related to oxidative stress.