Browsing by Author "Munoz-Carvajal, Eduardo"

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    Biological activity of native Myrtaceae fruits from Chile as a potential functional food
    (2022) Velasquez, Patricia; Orellana, Jocelyn; Munoz-Carvajal, Eduardo; Faundez, Mario; Gomez, Miguel; Montenegro, Gloria; Giordano, Ady
    Myrtaceae fruits (Myrceugenia obtusa, Luma apiculata, and Luma chequen) were used as food and medicine by Chilean indigenous people. This study aimed to evaluate the bioactive properties of these berry-type fruits. The antioxidant capacity determined by the FRAP assay varied between 10.4 and 646.9 mmol Fe+2/g, while the antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi was 0 - 33 mm and 0 - 7.33 mm, respectively. All the extracts were rich in polyphenols and showed low cytotoxicity. Overall, M. obtusa presented dissimilar results compared to those of L. apiculata and L. chequen, encouraging the use of these native fruits as food, nutraceutical, or pharmacological ingredients.
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    Biological capacities of seven Chilean ferns
    (2024) Velasquez, Patricia; Trucco, Josefina; Munoz-Carvajal, Eduardo; Bustos, Daniela; Viteri, Rafael; Montenegro, Gloria; Giordano, Ady
    Sticherus squamulosus, Hymenophyllum dentatum, Blechnum microphyllum, Polypodium Feuillei, Blechnum chilense, Lophosoria quadripinnata, and Lissopimpla excelsa are native fern species found in southern Chile and are often used in traditional medicine. However, their bioactive properties have not been confirmed. In this study, ethanolic extracts of ferns exhibited significant antibacterial capacity against human pathogens. H. dentatum and S. squamulosus were selected for further analysis owing to their antimicrobial and antioxidant capacities. The entire H. dentatum extract exhibited fungistatic and fungicidal capacity on Botrytis cinerea and Penicillium digitatum, with minimum inhibitory concentration values of 1.56 mg/mL and 6.25 mg/mL and minimum fungicidal concentration values of 6.25 mg/mL and 12.5 mg/mL, respectively. The S. squamulosus extract presented the highest rutin content (222.5 mu g/g fern). In addition, the ethanolic extract of H. dentatum inhibited 91% of DPPH radicals. Therefore, both types of ferns can be used in the food industry.
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    Mayten Tree Seed Oil: Nutritional Value Evaluation According to Antioxidant Capacity and Bioactive Properties
    (2021) Ginocchio, Rosanna; Munoz-Carvajal, Eduardo; Velasquez, Patricia; Giordano, Ady; Montenegro, Gloria; Colque-Perez, German; Saez-Navarrete, Cesar
    The Mayten tree (Maytenus boaria Mol.), a native plant of Chile that grows under environmentally limiting conditions, was historically harvested to extract an edible oil, and may represent an opportunity to expand current vegetable oil production. Seeds were collected from Mayten trees in north-central Chile, and seed oil was extracted by solvent extraction. The seed oil showed a reddish coloration, with quality parameters similar to those of other vegetable oils. The fatty acid composition revealed high levels of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Oleic and linoleic acids, which are relevant to the human diet, were well represented in the extracted Mayten tree seed oil. The oil displayed an antioxidant capacity due to the high contents of antioxidant compounds (polyphenols and carotenoids) and may have potential health benefits for diseases associated with oxidative stress.