Extraction of Cecropia Pachystachya Leaves by Supercritical Carbon Dioxide: Kinetics, Phytochemical Characterization, Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities

Abstract

Cecropia pachystachya Trécul is popularly known in Brazil as embaúva or embaúba. Pharmacological activities were reported in extant studies including the development of anxiolytic, antidepressant, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, cardiotonic, sedative, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and leishmanicidal properties for aqueous and alcoholic extracts prepared by infusion or maceration of C. pachystachya leaves. However, there is a paucity of studies examining extracts of leaves of C. pachystachya obtained by supercritical fluid technology. This study evaluated the extraction of Cecropia pachystachya oil using supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2). Extractions were performed at 35 °C, 45 °C, and 55 °C and 14 MPa, 17 MPa, and 20 MPa. The extraction yield, characteristics of the oil, antioxidant and antibacterial potentials were evaluated. The highest extraction yield obtained from C. pachystachya leaves was 1.48% using supercritical CO2 at 55 °C and 20 MPa. The main identified compounds include terpenoids (ursolic and pomolic acids, squalene and β-sitosterol). The most promising results for antibacterial activity relative to Staphylococcus aureus and antioxidant potentials were observed on the extract obtained at 55 °C and 14 MPa. The mathematical Sovová model satisfactorily represented the experimental data.

Ursolic acid‐rich extract presents trypanocidal action in vitro but worsens mice under experimental acute Chagas disease

“…The metabolites found in the extract from leaves of C. pachystachya here are mostly triterpenes, which are compatible with the CO 2 supercritical non‐polar characteristic 11 . Similarly, the compounds β‐sitosterol, ursolic and pomolic acids and α‐amyrin were found in extracts obtained using non‐polar solvents 18,19 .…”

“…The metabolites found in the extract from leaves of C. pachystachya here are mostly triterpenes, which are compatible with the CO 2 supercritical non-polar characteristic. 11 Similarly, the compounds β-sitosterol, ursolic and pomolic acids and α-amyrin were found in extracts obtained using non-polar solvents. 18,19 However, most of the studies made the extractions using polar solvents, producing metabolites as flavonoids, like chlorogenic acid, orientin, vitexin, isoorientin and others.…”

“…The characterisation of the extract from leaves of C. pachystachya (CPE) used in this study was performed by Hoscheild et al 11 which identified several compounds as squalene, ursolic acid, pomolic acid, β‐sitosterol, vitamin E, α‐amyrin, catechin, isovitexin, isoorientin and chlorogenic acid. The GC–MS detected the substance with higher concentrations in the extracts, and the main compounds found were ursolic acid (30.35%), squalene (15.76%) and pomolic acid (12.76%).…”

“…The access to the botanical material was authorised (register number AC291B0) by Conselho de Gestão do Patrimônio Genético (CGEN/SISGEN). The extract was obtained and characterised as described by Hoscheid et al 11 using CO 2 as a supercritical extractor. CO 2 is considered supercritical when it acquires a fluid state, which occurs above 31°C and 7.4 Mpa.…”

“…The access to the botanical material was authorised (register number AC291B0) by Conselho de Gestão do Patrimônio Genético (CGEN/SISGEN). The extract was obtained and characterised as described by Hoscheid et al 11…”