Spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) Phytochemical Profile: Impact of Pre/Post-Harvest Processing and Extractive Recovery.

The purpose of this study was to chemically compare samples of Mentha spicata (marketing byproducts, production byproducts, and export material), cultivated in the open field and under greenhouse, using an integrated approach by HPLC/DAD and GC/MS analysis. The presence of phenolic compounds was higher in the marketing byproducts cultivated in the open field. Marketing byproducts also had the highest amount of carvone. For this reason, this byproduct was selected as a candidate for the development of natural ingredients. With the best selected material, the optimization of simultaneous high-intensity ultrasound-assisted extraction processes was proposed for the recovery of the compounds of interest. This extraction was defined by Peleg's equation and polynomial regression analysis. Modeling showed that the factors amplitude, time, and solvent were found to be significant in the recovery process (p < 0.005). The maximum amount of compounds was obtained using 90% amplitude for 5 min and ethanol/water mixture (80:20) for extraction to simultaneously obtain phenolic and terpenoid compounds. This system obtained the highest amount of monoterpenoid and sesquiterpenoid compounds from the essential oil of M. spicata (64.93% vs. 84.55%). Thus, with an efficient and eco-friendly method, it was possible to optimize the extraction of compounds in M. spicata as a starting point for the use of its byproducts.

Actividad antioxidante del jugo de Passiflora edulis Sims (Gulupa) durante la poscosecha / Antioxidant activity of Passiflora edulis Sims (purple passion fruit) juice in the postharvest period

Introducción: las especies reactivas de oxígeno (ERO), afectan al organismo humano con patologías como las enfermedades cardiovasculares y las crónicas no transmisibles. La incidencia de éstas es menor si en la dieta diaria se incluye un alto consumo de frutos y hortalizas; por esta razón, es importante conocer sus propiedades fitoquímicas. Objetivo: determinar la capacidad antioxidante del jugo de gulupa (Passiflora edulis Sims) en poscosecha. Métodos: se cosecharon frutos en madurez fisiológica y se mantuvieron al ambiente (20 ºC y 70 % de HR) por 21 días, tiempo en el que se midió la actividad antioxidante con los métodos radical catiónico ABTS•+ y el poder antioxidante de reducción del Fe+3 (FRAP), el contenido de ácido ascórbico por HPLC y los carotenoides por espectrofotometría ultravioleta-visible (UV-Vis). Resultados: se apreció una tendencia ascendente en la actividad antioxidante a través del tiempo en poscosecha, con énfasis en el día 14, lo que conduce a manifestar que es la época recomendable para el consumo. El ácido ascórbico (vitamina C), se expresó de manera inestable, pero el aumento hacia el final del almacenamiento fue evidente, mientras que los carotenoides presentaron un incremento constante. Conclusiones: la actividad antioxidante del jugo de gulupa, puede estar dada por los contenidos de ácido ascórbico y carotenoides. Es importante la definición del tiempo de consumo después de la cosecha del fruto, para aprovechar al máximo su valor como alimento nutracéutico. Estos aspectos son útiles para fortalecer la posición de la gulupa en el mercado de exportación.

Introduction: reactive oxygen species (ROS) affect the human body with pathologies such as cardiovascular and chronic non-communicable diseases. The incidence of these diseases is lower when the daily diet includes a high intake of fruits and vegetables. This is the reason why it is important to be acquainted with their phytochemical properties. Objective: determine the antioxidant capacity of the juice of purple passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims) in the postharvest period. Methods: physiologically mature fruits were harvested and kept in the open (20 °C and 70 % RH) for 21 days. During that period, antioxidant activity was measured with ABTS•+ radical cation assay and Fe+3 ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), whereas ascorbic acid content was determined by HPLC and carotenoids by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry. Results: antioxidant activity showed an upward trend during the postharvest period, reaching its peak on day 14. It is therefore advisable to consume the fruit around that day. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) was expressed in an unstable manner, but increase was evident by the end of the storage period. Carotenoid content showed a steady increase. Conclusions: antioxidant activity of purple passion fruit juice may be due to the contents of ascorbic acid and carotenoids. It is important to define the most suitable time for consumption during the postharvest period, to obtain the maximum nutraceutical benefit. These notions are useful to strengthen the position of purple passion fruit in the export market.