Title: Chemical and Ecological Aspects of Male and Female Specimens of<i>Cecropia</i>Loefl. (Urticaceae)
Abstract:Cecropia Loefl.(Urticaceae) species are popularly known in Brazil as embaúbas.This genus consists of dioecious, pioneer and medicinal trees.The leaves and inflorescences of Cecropia are part of the di...Cecropia Loefl.(Urticaceae) species are popularly known in Brazil as embaúbas.This genus consists of dioecious, pioneer and medicinal trees.The leaves and inflorescences of Cecropia are part of the diet of various animals, mainly frugivorous mammals.Little is known about the chemical profile of the reproductive parts of embaúbas, the benefits of their consumption or even how the sex of the specimen influences this profile.Samples of female inflorescences of Cecropia glaziovii Snethl.and C. pachystachya Trécul and male inflorescences of C. glaziovii and C. hololeuca Miq. were collected in Rio de Janeiro city and the phenolic profiles of these samples were investigated by HPLC-DAD.Also their antioxidant potential was evaluated for free radical DPPH scavenging activity by TLC.The chemical profiles of inflorescences showed intersexual differences in terms of phenolic classes.While phenolic acids, like 5-O-caffeoylquinic (chlorogenic acid) and protocatechuic acids are present in all specimens, flavonoids, such as isoorientin and isovitexin, were identified only in male inflorescences.The DPPH scavenging activity of Cecropia crude extracts is related to the presence of caffeoylquinic acid.The consumption of antioxidants contributes to defense against diseases associated with oxidative stress, thus, the Cecropia inflorescences may be beneficial to the animals that consume them.Read More