Phenolic content and antioxidant activity of parts of Passiflora edulis as a function of plant developmental stage

Abstract

Passiflora edulis Sims var. flavicarpa O. Deg. (Yellow-passion fruit) is the native plant species most used by juice industries in Brazil while its leaf extracts are widely employed in folk medicine. This study evaluated the phenolic content of leaves, roots, fruit shells and pulp of plants of P. edulis in juvenile, flowering and fruiting stages. The extent of scavenging and/or degradation of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species by plant extracts was also investigated. Leaves were the organs that most accumulated phenolics/flavonoids, regardless of plant developmental stage. Leaf extracts efficiently scavenged DPPH by up to 67 % while root and fruit shell extracts effectively captured up to 80 % O 2-. Maximum activity of catalase (51.6 mmol H 2 O 2 min-1 mg prot-1) and ascorbate peroxidase (2.2 mmol ascorbate min-1 mg prot-1) was recorded in leaf extracts from plants in the fruiting stage. Superoxide dismutase activity reached its highest levels (37.5 U min-1 mg prot-1 , on average) in plant leaves of both juvenile and fruiting plants. Overall, these results suggest that, for therapeutic purposes, parts of P. edulis should be harvested when plants are in the fruiting stage due to the excellent antioxidant properties of their extracts and their accumulation of phenolic compounds.

Antioxidant Activity, Polyphenolic Content, and FT-NIR Analysis of Different Aspilia africana Medicinal Plant Tissues

“…They attributed these differences to the varying phenolic content in the different plant parts. Secondary metabolite content in plant organs of different species varies depending on the developmental stage of the plant and environmental conditions [ 38 , 39 ]. In our study, IR had the highest concentration of polyphenolic compounds (total phenolic and total flavonoid content), giving it the highest antioxidant capacity, while SR had the lowest polyphenolic content and exhibited the lowest antioxidant activity.…”

“…This difference could also be attributed to differences in the geographical regions from which the plant leaf samples were collected. Guimarães et al [ 38 ] emphasize that the environment influences the secondary metabolite content in plants and thus their activity.…”

“…is difference could also be attributed to differences in the geographical regions from which the plant leaf samples were collected. Guimarães et al [38] emphasize that the environment influences the secondary metabolite content in plants and thus their activity. rough scientific studies, calli obtained from various plant tissues have been demonstrated to possess various secondary metabolites and potent biological activity, including antioxidant potential.…”

Efeito do extrato das folhas da Passiflora edulis na cicatrização da pele

“…O uso terapêutico de P. edulis e grande parte das informações descritas na literatura ainda são empíricos (14). Embora neste estudo não tenha sido observado efeito cicatrizante das folhas da espécie P. edulis na lesão, ela é descrita como importante fonte de compostos funcionais, como flavonoides e alcaloides (37), e alguns autores descrevem seu uso no tratamento de processos inflamatórios (38). Além disso, foi demonstrado que o extrato hidroalcoólico das folhas da P. edulis é capaz de aumentar a colagenização e a neoformação capilar, bem como reduzir a resposta inflamatória aguda (21).…”

Flavonoid Compounds and Photosynthesis in Passiflora Plant Leaves under Varying Light Intensities

“…Several secondary metabolites were reported to occur in P. edulis [35]. Passiflora suberosa L. is native to the Americas and was introduced to Asia and Oceania, including Taiwan, but phenol and flavonoid concentrations of this species have never been studied.…”