Abstract

SALGADO-CHAVEZ, JOSÉ ALBERTO; PALACIO-VALENCIA, ANDERSON ENRIQUE  and  VALERO-VALERO, NELSON OSVALDO. Antioxidant activity and seasonal influence on total polyphenols content in Merremia aegyptia. Rev.Bio.Agro [online]. 2020, vol.18, n.2, pp.82-93. ISSN 1692-3561.  https://doi.org/10.18684/bsaa(18)82-93.

Merremia aegyptia (Convolvulaceae) is not affected by the predominant aridity in most of guajiro territory (La Guajira, Colombia). However, this species has been underestimated and considered weed since its medicinal properties and other possible uses are unknown. Thus, the present investigation was tried to establish the influence of seasons and the phenology on the production of polyphenols in M. aegyptia and to estimate the antioxidant potential of its extracts. Foliar tissue samples were taken for one year and subjected to methanol extraction, total polyphenol concentration was established by Folin-Ciacolteau method and correlated with monthly precipitation and temperature. In addition the percentage of inhibition of its leaf extracts on the DPPH radical was estimated. Results suggest variation in monthly concentration of total polyphenols, obtaining the highest concentration in January 2018 (6,03%). Furthermore, the extracts have a higher antioxidant activity (85,15%) than ascorbic acid (38,65%). It was concluded that the availability of water in soil affects the production of polyphenols in M. aegyptia and that this species represents a plant resource capable of being cultivated and exploited under the environmental conditions of La Guajira.

Keywords : Bioprospection; Secundary metabolites; Convolvulaceae; Rain; Phenology..

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