RESUMO
Bioactive phytoconstituents have been increasingly investigated for their potential human health benefits. Corema album (L.) D. Don, an Ericaceae, reportedly has antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer properties. Aiming at enhancing its nutraceutical potential, we performed a spectrochemical analysis of hydroethanolic extracts from C. album leaves. We report on changes in the antioxidant activity of the extracts, as well as in the accumulation of key phytoconstituents (namely phenolic compounds), in female and male samples, throughout three harvesting seasons (February, July, and October). For each extract, the antioxidant activity was assessed by different spectrophotometric methods. Simultaneously, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform mid-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR), and high-performance liquid chromatography - electrospray ionisation - quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS), were used to identify and monitor variations in the composition of phenolic compounds in the extracts. The main compounds identified were epicatechin, laricitrin-O-hexoside isomers, and myricetin-O-hexoside isomers. Significant differences were found in the composition and relative abundance of the compounds of interest, according to sex and season. Overall, a trend was observed whereby phenolic content and antioxidant activities were higher in males and increased between the earlier and the latest harvests. Based on these results, we may conclude that late summer or early autumn harvests are preferable when aiming at the highest yearly content of bioactive compounds. Additionally, it should be considered that extracts from male individuals typically display higher antioxidant activities. Ultimately, our understanding of C. album in the context of nutraceutical applications is benefited from the quantitative and qualitative portrait provided here, thus promoting its relevance as a source of bioactive compounds.