Maqui (Aristotelia chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz) and murta (Ugni molinae Turcz): Native Chilean sources of polyphenol compounds

Sustainable Recovery of Phlorotannins from Durvillaea incurvata: Integrated Extraction and Purification with Advanced Characterization

The rising demand for bioactive compounds from marine resources highlights the need for sustainable separation technologies. This study introduces an integrated process combining ultrasound-assisted extraction (USAE) and resin purification (RP) to isolate phlorotannins from Durvillaea incurvata, a brown seaweed with significant biomedical potential. Using a 32.5% ethanol-water solvent system for USAE followed by RP on Diaion HP-20 resin, phlorotannins were enriched 2.4-fold, with simultaneous removal of interfering compounds such as mannitol (~100%), which was demonstrated by FTIR and HPLC-IR analysis. Advanced characterization using UHPLC-QToF-MS/MS identified five novel phlorotannins with polymerization degrees of 3 to 8 phloroglucinol units in both USAE extracts and post-RP. Mass balance based on spectrophotometric measurements indicated a purification factor of ~2, confirming process effectiveness. RP streams showed distinct phlorotannin profiles, with one phlorotannin exceeding 70% relative abundance. However, MS/MS results showed significantly lower recoveries than spectrophotometric data, revealing a novel insight into RP purification. These findings highlight the critical role of comprehensive chemical characterization in optimizing sustainable phlorotannin extraction from seaweed. They propose a framework for scalable, eco-efficient technologies for achieving high-purity phlorotannin recovery. This approach facilitates the development of phlorotannin-based applications in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.

Fermentation of Murta (Ugni molinae) Juice: Effect on Antioxidant Activity and Control of Enzymes Associated with Glucose Assimilation

Berries are rich in bioactive compounds, including antioxidants and especially polyphenols, known inhibitors of starch metabolism enzymes. Lactic acid fermentation of fruits has received considerable attention due to its ability to enhance bioactivity. This study investigated the effect of fermentation with L. mesenteroides of juice from the Chilean berry murta on antioxidant activity, release of polyphenols, and inhibitory activity against α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. Three types of juices (natural fruit, freeze-dried, and commercial) were fermented. Total polyphenol content (Folin-Ciocalteu), antioxidant activity (DPPH and ORAC), and the ability to inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes were determined. Fermented murta juices exhibited increased antioxidant activity, as evidenced by higher levels of polyphenols released during fermentation. Inhibition of α-glucosidase was observed in the three fermented juices, although no inhibition of α-amylase was observed; the juice from freeze-dried murta stood out. These findings highlight the potential health benefits of fermented murta juice, particularly its antioxidant properties and the ability to modulate sugar assimilation by inhibiting α-glucosidase.

A Comprehensive Literature Review on Cardioprotective Effects of Bioactive Compounds Present in Fruits of Aristotelia chilensis Stuntz (Maqui)

Some fruits and vegetables, rich in bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, may inhibit platelet activation pathways and therefore reduce the risk of suffering from CVD when consumed regularly. Aristotelia chilensis Stuntz (Maqui) is a shrub or tree native to Chile with outstanding antioxidant activity, associated with its high content in anthocyanins, polyphenols, and flavonoids. Previous studies reveal different pharmacological properties for this berry, but its cardioprotective potential has been little studied. Despite having an abundant composition, and being rich in bioactive products with an antiplatelet role, there are few studies linking this berry with antiplatelet activity. This review summarizes and discusses relevant information on the cardioprotective potential of Maqui, based on its composition of bioactive compounds, mainly as a nutraceutical antiplatelet agent. Articles published between 2000 and 2022 in the following bibliographic databases were selected: PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Our search revealed that Maqui is a promising cardiovascular target since extracts from this berry have direct effects on the reduction in cardiovascular risk factors (glucose index, obesity, diabetes, among others). Although studies on antiplatelet activity in this fruit are recent, its rich chemical composition clearly shows that the presence of chemical compounds (anthocyanins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, among others) with high antiplatelet potential can provide this berry with antiplatelet properties. These bioactive compounds have antiplatelet effects with multiple targets in the platelet, particularly, they have been related to the inhibition of thromboxane, thrombin, ADP, and GPVI receptors, or through the pathways by which these receptors stimulate platelet aggregation. Detailed studies are needed to clarify this gap in the literature, as well as to specifically evaluate the mechanism of action of Maqui extracts, due to the presence of phenolic compounds.

Antiplatelet activity and chemical analysis of leaf and fruit extracts from Aristotelia chilensis

Aristotelia chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz, also known as maqui, is a plant native to Chile without chemical characterization and quantification of the bioactive compounds present in it. HPLC-UV and HPLC-MS/MS studies have shown the presence, at different concentrations, of phenolic and anthocyanin compounds in fruit and leave extracts of the domesticated maqui clones Luna Nueva, Morena, and Perla Negra. The extracts from leaves and unripe fruits of Luna Nueva and Morena clones significantly inhibit platelet aggregation induced by several agonists; the extracts inhibit platelet granule secretion by decreasing the exposure of P-selectin and CD63 at the platelet membrane. Reactive oxygen species formation in platelets is lower in the presence of maqui extracts. Statistical Pearson analysis supports the levels of phenolic and anthocyanin compounds being responsible for the antiaggregant maqui effects. This work is the first evidence of antiplatelet activity from Aristotelia chilensis giving added value to the use of leaves and unripe fruits from this species.

Multi-response optimal hot pressurized liquid recovery of extractable polyphenols from leaves of maqui (Aristotelia chilensis [Mol.] Stuntz)

Multi-response optimization of hot pressurized liquid extraction (HPLE) was applied for the first time to obtain maqui (Aristotelia chilensis [Mol.] Stuntz) leaf extracts. The total polyphenol content (TPC), the antioxidant capacity (AC) as well as the total polyphenol purity of the maqui leaf extracts were accurately predicted (RSD < 8%) at the evaluated extraction scales. The optimum HPLE conditions that prioritized TPC and AC equally (OPT1) recovered ~3 times more TPC (205.14 mg GAE/g leaves) than maqui leaf extracts obtained by maceration, while the extract that prioritized purity over TPC and AC presented the highest purity (36.29%) and an EC50 ~3 times lower than currently reported values. It was found by multi-response optimization that maqui leaves and HPLE are among the best natural sources and extraction techniques, respectively, to recover protocatechuic acid, quercetin, and catechin.

Corryocactus brevistylus (K. Schum. ex Vaupel) Britton & Rose (Cactaceae): Antioxidant, Gastroprotective Effects, and Metabolomic Profiling by Ultrahigh-Pressure Liquid Chromatography and Electrospray High Resolution Orbitrap Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Corryocactus brevistylus (K. Schum. ex Vaupel) Britton & Rose (Cactaceae) is a shrubby or often arborescent cactus popularly known as "sancayo" and produce an edible fruit known as "Sanky" which is consumed in Arequipa-Perú. The purpose of this study was to report the gastroprotective activity and relate this activity to the antioxidant capacity and presence of phenolic compounds for the first time. A metabolomic profiling based on Ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography and electrospray high resolution mass spectrometry, and the antioxidant activities (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP), ascorbic acid content, total phenolics and flavonoids contents, and the mode of gastroprotective action of the Sanky fruit including the involvement of prostaglandins, nitric oxide, and sulfhydryl compounds is reported. Thirty-eight compounds were detected in the ethanolic extract including 12 organic acids, nine hydroxycinnamic acids, three isoamericanol derivatives, six flavonoids, five fatty acids, and two sterols. The results of the biological tests showed that the ethanolic extract had antioxidant capacity and gastroprotective activity on the model of HCl/EtOH-induced gastric lesions in mice (at 10, 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg). The effect elicited by the extract at 50 mg/kg was reversed by indometacin and N-ethylmaleimide but not by N^G-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester suggesting that sulfhydryl groups and prostaglandins are involved in the mode of gastroprotective action. In conclusion, our study proves that C. brevistylus pears have some gastroprotective and antioxidant capacities and consumption is recommended for the presence of several bioactive compounds.