Abstract

Myrcianthes discolor, commonly known as “lanche,” is a native species of the Peruvian highlands that has been traditionally used for its medicinal properties, particularly its antioxidant potential in counteracting oxidative stress. However, there is limited information regarding the influence of solvent composition on the extraction efficiency of its bioactive compounds. This study investigated how differnt solvent systems affect the extraction yield of total phenolics and flavonoids, as well as their associated antioxidant activity. Leaf samples were collected in Santa Úrsula, Baños del Inca (Cajamarca, Peru) and extracted using six solvents (acetonitrile, water, and ethanol at 30%, 50%, 70%, and 96%) under agitated and temperature-controlled conditions. The resulting extracts were analyzed for total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant capacity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid, and ferric reducing power assays. The highest concentrations of phenolic compounds and flavonoids were observed in the 30% and 96% ethanol extracts, reaching 59.31 mg GAE/g and 5.58 mg QCE/g of dry sample, respectively. A strong positive correlation was found between antioxidant activity and TPC, indicating that the extraction protocol effectively preserved antioxidant compounds. These results emphasize the importance of selecting the right solvent to maximize the recovery of bioactive metabolites from M. discolor, which supports its potential as a valuable natural source for antioxidant-rich formulations.

Key words: antioxidants, correlation, flavonoids, PCA, polyphenols, solvents.