Neuroprotective Potential of Tamarillo (Cyphomandra betacea) Epicarp Extracts Obtained by Sustainable Extraction Process

Tamarillo (Cyphomandra betacea (Cav.) Sendt.), or tree tomato, is a tropical fruit from the Andean region of South America; it is highly rich in vitamins, minerals, and polyphenolic compounds. In this study, extracts from tamarillo epicarp (TE) were obtained by pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), and their in-vitro neuroprotective potential was assessed. A central composite design with response surface methodology was performed to optimize PLE as a function of solvent composition and temperature. Selected response variables were extraction yield, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total carotenoid content (TCC), antioxidant (ABTS), and anti-inflammatory (LOX) activities, and anti-acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory capacity. According to the desirability function, the optimal conditions were 100% ethanol and 180°C with a 0.87 desirability value. Next, the anti-butyrylcholinesterase enzyme (BChE), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) inhibition as well as cytotoxicity in HK-2, THP-1 monocytes, and SH-5YSY neuroblastoma cell lines were studied for the TE extract obtained under optimized conditions. The optimum TE extract provided the following results: extraction yield (36.25%), TPC (92.09 mg GAE/g extract), TFC (4.4 mg QE/g extract), TCC (107.15 mg CE/g extract), antioxidant capacity (ABTS, IC50 = 6.33 mg/ml extract), LOX (IC50 = 48.3 mg/ml extract), and AChE (IC50 = 97.46 mg/ml extract), and showed no toxicity at concentration up to 120 μg/ml extract for all the tested cell lines. Finally, chemical characterization by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-q-TOF-MS/MS) of the optimum TE extract exhibited an important presence of hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives and other phenolic acids as well as quercetin hexoside and rutin, as main metabolites responsible for the observed biological properties. All these results suggested that TE, which represents between 8 and 15% of the total fruit, could become a promising natural by-product with a potential “multitarget” activity against Alzheimer's disease.

Efecto del porcentaje de ácido cítrico sobre los cambios fisicoquímicos de Cyphomandra betacea s. en poscosecha

<p>Se estudió el efecto que produjo el porcentaje del ácido cítrico sobre los cambios fisicoquímicos del tomate de árbol en el periodo poscosecha, para alargar el tiempo de vida útil. Para ello se destinaron tratamiento I, tratamiento control (agua destilada), y los tratamientos II, III y IV con una solución de 0.5, 1 y 2% de ácido cítrico respectivamente, donde se colocó los frutos de tomate de árbol en inmersión por un tiempo 120 minutos, posterior mente se hizo un secado y almacenado a temperatura ambiente. Se evaluaron parámetros físicos químicos (pH, acidez total titulable, °Brix, índice de madurez, vitamina C, pérdida de peso, índice de respiración, color y textura), en función del tiempo con la finalidad de determinar el mejor tratamiento. Los tratamientos evaluados presentaron diferencias significativas (P&lt;0,05). El mejor resultado se obtuvo mediante el uso de ácido cítrico al 2%, pues se logró mantener °Brix de 10.77; un índice de madurez de 7.9; una pérdida de peso de 80.95; una vitamina C de 0.643 mg y una intensidad respiratoria de 0,027 mg CO2/Kg, H., una acidez titulable de 1.28; un pH de 3.96, aumentando así el tiempo de vida útil del fruto en 8 días con respecto a los frutos considerados como controles.</p>