Mineral Content, Antioxidant Activity and Essential Oil of Allophylus edulis (A. St.‐Hil., A. Juss. & Cambess.) Radlk. Leaves: Plant from South American Biodiversity

Abstract

Allophylus edulis (A. St.‐Hil., A. Juss. & Cambess.) Radlk. (Sapindaceae) is an edible plant from the South American biodiversity that is a potential source of bioactive compounds. The mineral content and antioxidant activity of Allophylus edulis leaves were investigated, as well as the composition and the antioxidant activity of the essential oil. The mineral content was determined by ICP – OES and the antioxidant assays were assessed by ABTS, DPPH and FRAP. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC/MS. Calcium, potassium, phosphorus, sulfur, and magnesium were the main minerals found in A. edulis leaves. Of the toxic metals that were present, a low level of aluminum was detected. The essential oil of A. edulis has (E)‐nerolidol as major compound and both, the leaves, and the essential oil isolated from the leaves have antioxidant potential. These findings could provide a framework for developing new food and non‐food products with A. edulis leaves.