Phenolic compound contents and antioxidant activity in plants with nutritional and/or medicinal properties from the Peruvian Andean region

Total phenolic compounds (TPC) and antioxidant activities using different assays (DPPH, ABTS and ORAC) in fruits, grains, leaves, seeds, roots and tubers from 27 different Peruvian Andean plants used in folk medicine or/and as food by the native population were evaluated in order to use these as natural antioxidant compounds. Total flavanoids (TFA), total flavonoids (TFO) and total anthocyanins (TA) were also determined. In general, the samples with the highest TPC values had the highest antioxidant activities. Leaves (e.g., Alnus acuminate, Clinopodium bolivianum, Lepechinia meyenii (Walp) and Mutisia acuminate), fruits (e.g., Sambucus peruviana), tubers (e.g., Tropaeolum tuberosum) and seed (e.g., Lupinus mutabilis) sparked attention due to their high TPC and antioxidant activities. Results from this study highlight the biodiversity of the Andean Region of Peru where plants with high TPC and antioxidant properties grow. Thus, these plants can be considered as promising sources of antioxidant phytochemicals.

► Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity from 27 Peruvian plants were evaluated.
► High variability in the content of the evaluated characteristics was found.
► Leaves highlighted in TPC and antioxidant activities (DPPH, ABTS and ORAC).
► Good correlations between TPC and antioxidant activities were established.
► Results from this study highlight the biodiversity of the Andean Region of Peru.