In the present work we carried out a comparative study of total phenolic contents and antioxidant capacity of aqueous leaf extracts of Ugni molinae Turcz., Myrtaceae (infusion and Soxhlet extracted) prepared from continent and Juan Fernández Island samples. The results revealed that total phenol content (TPC), tannins (TTC) and flavonoids (TFC) for U. molinae extracts (infusion and Soxhlet extracts) from island leaves were 38.5, 56.7 and 37.5% higher than those obtained with leaves from the continent, respectively. Also, HPLC profiles showed important differences between U. molinae populations. In vitro antioxidant capacity (scavenging of DPPH radical) for 1% infusion and aqueous extract (Soxhlet method) of U. molinae from island samples, was 15% greater than from continent samples. Further, in vivo impact of U. molinae intake (1% infusion) was studied in plasma samples obtained from healthy volunteers. Participants that consumed tea prepared with leaves from island population showed higher TBARS reduction and plasma antioxidant capacity (TEAC-CUPRAC) than those who consumed tea prepared with leaves from continental population. The conditions of the territory in which U. molinae populations growth could explain the differences in their composition and activity. According to results, island U. molinae populations could be an important source of study for the development of an antioxidant supplement, and thereby contribute to the use of this species that has becoming an ecological problem in the island.

Essential oils obtained from Gomortega keule, Laurelia sempervirens, Origanum vulgare, Eucalyptus globulus, and Thymus vulgaris were analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and evaluated for their toxicity against adults of Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulky) and Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say) (Coleóptera). Contact toxicity was assayed by impregnating filter paper discs with the oils. The amount of essential oils applied in each desiccator (4 1 capacity) was 4, 8, 16, or 32 ul, corresponding to 1, 2, 4, or 8 fj.1/1 air. The results showed significant differences between the tested dosages and exposure periods of the essential oils. Although desirable insecticidal activities against A obtectus were achieved with the essential oils of all five plants, the oils from G. keule and L. sempervirens were the most effective at 96 h. On the other hand, the essential oils of E. globulus and T. vulgaris were most effective against S. zeamais. In all plant species, higher doses or longer exposure periods were more effective against both insects. No mortality was observed in the control group (acetone only) of each species. Therefore, these results suggest that essential oils from the studied plants may be used against insect pests in grain storage