Evaluation of Properties of Chenopodium pallidicaule (Cañihua) Oil for Possible Use in Cosmetic Formulations.

In this study, Chenopodium pallidicaule (Cañihua) oilseed was investigated to determine the composition, and main physico-chemical properties to establish its potential cosmetic applications. The results were compared with well-known vegetable oils. The extraction yield was 2.14±0.01 g of extracted oil/100 g of dry-weight seeds. Unsaturated fatty acids were the most abundant in Cañihua oil. The major unsaturated fatty acid was linoleic acid (42.1%), followed by oleic acid (24.7%) and linolenic acid (3.0%). The specific gravity was 0.897±0.01 (20°C), the average acid value was 0.48±0.14 mg / KOH, the peroxide value was 5.0±1.34 mEqO2/kg, the iodine value was 175.3±18.63 g I2/100 g, and the saponification number was 190.0±0.01 mg KOH / g oil. Other properties for use in cosmetic formulations like surface tension, viscosity, spreadability, and pour and cloud points were similar to those of other vegetable oils used in these formulations. A stable cosmetic emulsion was formulated using Cañihua oil (5%). All results demonstrated the potential of Cañihua oil as an ingredient for cosmetic emulsions for skin treatment.

Total phenolic, monomeric anthocyanin content and antioxidant activity of Berberis commutata Eichler fruits / Contenido fenólico total, antocianinas monoméricas y actividad antioxidante de los frutos de Berberis commutata Eichler

Background: Berberis commutata Eichler is a berry that grows in the Peruvian Andes and has been consumed in the Andes of South America since ancient times. The edible fruits have an intense purple color and are rich in anthocyanins and phenolic compounds that are available from February until May each year. The color of the fruits is a soft purple dye for natural fibers, and many birds use them as food. Objective: This study quantified the total phenolic, monomeric anthocyanin content and antioxidant activity of Berberis commutata Eichler berries. Methods: The total phenolic content was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric assay. Monomeric anthocyanin content was determined by the method is pH differential, and the antioxidant activity was measured using the Brand-Williams method. Results: The total phenolic content was 7,490 ± 0.85 mg GAE/100g, and the monomeric anthocyanin content was 70 ± 0.03 mg/100g. The antioxidant activity of the berries showed a tendency to increase with B. commutata extract concentration; an EC50 of 0.91 mg/mL was calculated, indicating a high antioxidant power. Conclusion: Our results showed that B. commutata E. has both high total phenolic content and monomeric anthocyanins comparable to other superfruits and high antioxidant activity, which means that it is possible to use this berberis species as a functional food.

Introducción: Berberis commutata Eichleres una baya que crece en los Andes peruanos. Los frutos comestibles tienen un intenso color púrpura rico en antocianinas y componentes fenólicos que están disponibles desde febrero hasta mayo de cada año. El color de sus frutos se utiliza como un suave colorante púrpura para las fibras naturales y muchas aves los utilizan como alimento. Sin embargo, desde la antigüedad los frutos de esta especie han sido consumidas en los Andes de Sudamérica. Objetivo: Este estudio cuantificó el contenido fenólico total, antocianinas monoméricas y la actividad antioxidante usando el método del radical DPPH de las bayas de Berberis commutata Eichler. Método: El contenido fenólico total se midió a través del ensayo colorimétrico de Folin-Ciocalteu, el contenido de antocianinas monoméricas se determinó mediante el método del pH diferencial y la actividad antioxidante se midió con el método de Brand-Williams. Resultados: El contenido fenólico total fue de 7,490 ± 0.85 mg GAE/100g y el contenido de antocianinas monoméricas fue de 70 ± 0.03 mg/100g. La actividad antioxidante de las bayas mostró una tendencia a aumentar con la concentración del extracto de B. commutata, se calculó un EC50 de 0.91 mg/mL que indica un alto poder antioxidante. Conclusión: Nuestros resultados mostraron que B. commutata E. tiene tanto un alto contenido fenólico total, así como antocianinas monoméricas comparables con otras superfrutas y una elevada actividad antioxidante, lo que significa que es posible utilizar esta especie de berberis como alimento funcional.