Subcritical water extraction and microwave-assisted extraction applied for the recovery of bioactive components from Chaya C (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius Mill.)

摘要

Chaya is a neglected, fast-growing and drought-resistant shrub, mostly cultivated in Mesoamerica as vegetable and medicinal plant. The increasing demand for safe products promotes processes with non-toxic solvents. In this context, Subcritical Water Extraction (SWE) and Microwave-Assisted Extraction (MAE) with ethanol were firstly applied to recover extracts rich in phenolic compounds from Chaya leaves. Temperature influence of SWE and MAE was evaluated and compared to Soxhlet extraction (SOX). Results were expressed as extraction yield, total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant capacity by DPPH and FRAP methods, and composition by LC-MS/MS. Global yield and TPC values from SWE and MAE increased with extraction temperature. MAE provided extracts with higher antioxidant activity compared to SWE and SOX. Kaempferol, quercetin and myricetin were the most abundant phenolic compounds found in Chaya the extracts. Besides, 21 of the phenolics evaluated were detected for the first time in Chaya leaves. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.