A sustainable approach to obtain polyphenols from Chilean wild murta, Ugni candollei B., and Ugni molinae T., using eutectic solvents and advanced extraction techniques

Natalia Fuentes-Jorquera, Marisol Villalva, Jara Pérez-Jiménez, María González-Miquel, Emilio J. González, María Salomé Mariotti-Celis, José Ricardo Pérez-Correa, Roberto I. Canales

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Murta, native to southern Chile, comprises red murta (Ugni molinae Turcz) and white murta (Ugni candollei Barm), traditionally utilized in ethnobotanical medicine for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties attributed to high flavonoid and phenolic acid content. Despite murta's potential, the combined effects of sustainable extraction techniques—eutectic solvents (ES), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE)—on its polyphenol profile remain unexplored. A comprehensive analysis should quantify extractable polyphenols (EPP) and non-extractable polyphenols (NEPP). This study evaluated eight ES mixtures for polyphenol extraction from red and white murta leaves and fruits, optimizing water percentage and feed:solvent ratio. Choline chloride:1,3-butanediol (ChCl:1,3BD) with 30 % water and a 1:10 ratio yielded the highest EPP content, as determined by HPLC-DAD. Among various MAE and UAE conditions tested, MAE at 353 K for 3 min achieved optimal phenolic compound yields, with catechin predominating in leaf extracts and gallic acid in fruit extracts. NEPP fractions, consisting primarily of non-extractable proanthocyanidins, represented 8–19 % of total polyphenols in fruits and leaves. These findings establish a sustainable methodology for obtaining polyphenol-rich extracts from murta and highlight the importance of both EPP and NEPP fractions in enhancing the potential of these antioxidant-enriched food extracts obtained through eco-friendly technologies.

Original languageEnglish
Article number104017
JournalInnovative Food Science and Emerging Technologies
Volume102
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jun 2025

Keywords

  • Catechin
  • Eutectic solvents
  • Gallic acid
  • Microwave-assisted extraction
  • Non-extractable polyphenols
  • Ugni candollei Barm
  • Ugni molinae Turcz

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