Antioxidant activity of Caryocar brasiliense (pequi) and characterization of components by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

The Caryocar brasiliense known commonly as pequi is a tropical fruit of Brazilian Cerrado and is considered an important option of income and food for the populations living in this biome. Our previous study indicated that C. brasiliense had high total phenol content (209 g as gallic acid equivalent kg−1) and excellent scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (IC50 of 9.44 μg ml−1). In this study, we evaluated the highly efficient antioxidant activity of C. brasiliense using the biological relevant method of chemically induced lipid peroxidation. The half inhibition concentration did not exceed 0.8 μg ml−1. In addition, polar components of pequi ethanolic extract were investigated by direct infusion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The technique revealed the presence of important bioactive components widely reported as potent antioxidants such as gallic acid, quinic acid, quercetin, and quercetin 3-O-arabinose possibly explaining its higher antioxidant activity. This is the first report on the composition by ESI-MS of pequi extract demonstrating excellent antioxidant activity.