Seasonal Chemical Variability of Aloysia polystachya Leaves

RETTA, D.S.; DI LEO LIRA, P.; BALSAMO, M.; DELPUPO, M.; MOSCATELLI ,V.; DOBRECKY, C.; FLOR, S.; GUARINIELLO, J.; BANDONI, A.L.; VAN BAREN, C.M.

REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE FARMACOGNOSIA

JOHN BENJAMINS PUBLISHING COMPANY

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2022

0102-695X

The use of natural products as food ingredients requires adequate regulation and safetyassessment for its legal commercialization. Aloysia polystachya (Griseb.) Molenke,Verbenaceae, is a native plant from Argentina with aromatic and medicinal properties. Aselected Argentinean genotype of this species was harvested and evaluated monthly for oneyear involving the different stages of a whole crop cycle to determine its chemical variability.The volatile and non-volatile fractions of its air-dried leaves were characterized. The content oftotal polyphenols, spectrophotometrically estimated by the Folin Ciocalteu method varied from4.2 to 6.2% gallic acid equivalents. Verbascoside identification was confirmed by HPLC-MS/MS and its content was evaluated by HPLC with a multiple wavelength detector rangingfrom 2.2 to 5.4%. Volatile oil yield obtained by hydrodistillation was calculated in each sampleand their chemical compositions were determined by GC-FID-MS. The yield values rangedfrom 1.5 to 6.6% being rich in carvone (62.3-81.9%) and limonene (12.0-32.7%). The contentsof verbascoside, polyphenols, and volatile oil fluctuated throughout the year. The most suitableprofile was found from September to December. This work is a contribution to thestandardization and quality control of A. polystachya to be used for food or medicinal purposes.