Optimization Studies and Compositional Oil Analysis of Pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Cambess) Almonds by Supercritical CO2 Extraction.

Caryocar brasiliense Cambess (pequi) is the fruit of the pequizeiro tree found in the Brazilian Cerrado (savanna). Supercritical fluids have been used to effectively extract bioactive chemicals. In light of the paucity of research on the supercritical extraction of pequi, in this study, experimental tests were conducted on the extraction of pequi almond oil using supercritical CO2; the optimal extraction conditions were determined, and the fatty acids and active compounds in the oil were characterized. The experiments were conducted using the Box-Behnken experimental design of a three-variable system: pressure (15, 20, and 25 MPa), temperature (303.15, 318.15, and 333.15 K), and flow rate (2, 3, and 5 g.min-1). The optimal extraction conditions were 318.15 K, 25 MPa, and 5.0 g.min-1, which yielded 27.6 wt% of oil. The experimental kinetic curves were described using a second-order quadratic model (based on the Sovová model), which demonstrated a satisfactory correspondence with the kinetic curves. Significant amounts of squalene, stigmasterol, oleic fatty acids, and palmitic fatty acids were detected in pequi almond oil.

Phytochemical prospecting, physicochemical and biological activities of the ethanolic floral extract of Miconia chamissois Naudin (Melastomataceae) / Prospecção fitoquímica, físico-química e atividades biológicas do extrato etanólico floral de Miconia chamissois Naudin (Melastomataceae)

Miconia chamissois Naudin is one of the numerous plant species included in the Melastomataceae family, inhabiting areas of natural vegetation in the Cerrado domain. This species presents a typical seasonal event and regular annual cycle with white and aromatic flowers. The study aimed to evaluate the floral ethanol extract of M. chamissois as to its phytochemical composition, physicochemical and biological activities. The ethanol extract was produced by maceration and phytochemical, physicochemical and biological tests were carried out using different methodologies. The results presented in this study demonstrate that M. chamissois is a promising species in the search for biologically active compounds, where it presented considerable numbers of phytochemical classes, expressive total flavonoid and phenolic contents, as well as photoprotection, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities. Future work should focus on the floral ethanol extract of M. chamissois to determine other biological actions in vitro and ex vitro.

Miconia chamissois Naudin é uma das inúmeras espécies vegetais incluídas na família Melastomataceae, habitando áreas de vegetação natural no domínio Cerrado. Esta espécie apresenta evento sazonal típico e ciclo anual regular, com flores brancas e aromáticas. O estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o extrato etanólico floral de M. chamissois quanto a sua composição fitoquímica, físico-química e atividades biológicas. O extrato etanólico foi produzido por maceração e os ensaios fitoquímicos, físico-químicos e biológicos realizados por diferentes metodologias. Os resultados apresentados neste estudo demonstram que M. chamissois é uma espécie promissora na busca de compostos biologicamente ativos, onde apresentou consideráveis números de classes fitoquímicas, conteúdos de flavonoides e fenólicos totais expressivos, bem como atividades de fotoproteção, antioxidante, anti-inflamatória, antimicrobiana e citotóxica. Trabalhos futuros deverão concentrar-se sobre o extrato etanólico floral de M. chamissois para determinar outras ações biológicas in vitro e ex vitro.