The aim of this work was to extract and characterize pectin from lyophilized noni pulp (Morinda citrifolia Linn.) at three different pHs using different extractor agents and to evaluate anti-viral activity. The extraction of high yield (acid extraction) was subjected to sulfation procedure. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and proton nuclear magneticresonance analysis were used to calculate the degree of methylation of pectin from acid extraction and its sulfated derivative. The data obtained for the degree of methylation of noni pectin and sulfated pectin were 30.3 and 30.7, respectively. Pectin was subjected to acute oral toxicity testing in mice. The results showed that pectin had a pro-inflammatory effect, and sulfated pectin had an anti-inflammatory effect. Both pectins were also evaluated for herpes simplex virus activity in vitro, and although they successfully inhibited virus replication, the sulfated pectins were cytotoxic. Morinda Linn. Linn antiviral anti viral procedure derivative 303 30 3 30. 307 7 30.7 respectively mice proinflammatory pro inflammatory effect antiinflammatory vitro replication cytotoxic

Resumen En este trabajo se determina la entomofauna benéfica asociada a especies arbóreas en escenarios de la agricultura urbana de Pinar del Río, Cuba. Entre septiembre de 2019 y marzo de 2020, se realizó un inventario florístico de la biodiversidad arbórea y se recolectaron muestras de los biorreguladores. Se inventariaron 23 especies arbóreas y 65% de ellas estuvo representado por frutales. La mayor riqueza de especies se detectó en los órdenes Diptera, Mesostigmata, Hymenoptera y Araneae. Los biorreguladores con mayor frecuencia fueron Condylostylus sp., Ocyptamus costatus y Phytoseiulus sp.; mientras que, las especies arbóreas con mayor proporción de artrópodos asociados fueron Persea americana, Citrus limon, Morinda citrifolia y Psidium guajava. Los resultados corroboran la necesidad de fomentar estratos arbóreos como reservorio de biorreguladores y profundizar en la actividad de estos organismos benéficos como alternativa para el manejo de plagas.

Abstract This work determines the beneficial entomofauna associated with tree species in urban agriculture scenarios of Pinar del Río, Cuba. Between September 2019 and March 2020, a floristic inventory of tree biodiversity was conducted and samples of bioregulators were collected. Twenty-three tree species were inventoried and 65% of them were represented by fruit trees. The greatest species richness was detected in the orders Diptera, Mesostigmata, Hymenoptera and Araneae. The most frequent bioregulators were Condylostylus sp., Ocyptamus costatus and Phytoseiulus sp.; while the tree species with the highest proportion of associated arthropods were Persea americana, Citrus limon, Morinda citrifolia and Psidium guajava. The results corroborate the need to promote tree strata as a reservoir of bioregulators and deepen the activity of these beneficial organisms as an alternative for pest management.

Abstract Morinda citrifolia, commonly known as noni, is a plant belonging to the Rubiaceae family. This plant has a high biological potential, which has different biological properties, including antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antitumor and anti-inflammatory. In this work, the immunomodulatory, antitumor and antimicrobial activities of lignin isolated from Morinda citrifolia leaves were investigated. The results showed that this lignin was not cytotoxic and that it was able to promote activation and differentiation of immune cells in addition to inducing the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, it was able to inhibit the growth of different tumor and microbial cells in vitro. This pioneering study on these different activities shows that the lignin isolated in this study can be used as a raw material to obtain biomedical and pharmaceutical products. noni family potential properties antioxidant antibacterial antiviral antifungal antiinflammatory. antiinflammatory anti inflammatory. inflammatory work immunomodulatory investigated cytokines Furthermore vitro products

Abstract The aim of this study was to prepare the freeze dried powder of noni (Morinda citrifolia) pulp and determine the contents of bioactive and antioxidant capacity. Seed, peel, pulp and lyophilized powder were characterized in terms of physico-chemical, carotenoids, chlorophyll, sugars, ascorbic acid, phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidants contents. Phenolic compounds were determined by LC-MS. The lyophilized pulp powder showed high levels of phenolics and flavonoids (7486.38 µg GAE/g and 385.57 µg QE/g, respectively) and higher antioxidant activity for FRAP (10360.39 to 467970.40 mmol/100 g). Ascorbic acid has a higher concentration in the lyophilized powder (336.62 mg/100 g). Rutin, caffeic, artepillin C, quercetin-3-glucoside, kaempferol, vanillin and vanillic were the major compounds. The antioxidant effect present in the various components of the fruit was predominant, and the greater conservation of this potential was through the application of lyophilization. Thus, the noni may be considered as a good source of phenolics compounds having a high potential as natural antioxidants.

To evaluate the phytobiotic effect of the mixed powder of medicinal plants on the productivity and egg quality of laying hens, 120 White Leghorn birds (Hybrid L-33), 27 weeks old, were used. For 10 weeks, the animals were placed according to a completely randomized design with three treatments, 10 repetitions per treatment and four birds per repetition. The experimental treatments consisted of a basal diet (T1) and the addition of 0.5 (T2) and 1.0 % (T3) of the mixed powder of leaves of medicinal plants (40 % of Anacardium occidentale, 20 % of Psidium guajava, 20 % of Moringa oleifera and 20 % of Morinda citrifolia). T3 improved (P<0.05) laying intensity (80.18 to 85.53 %) and mass conversion (2.73 to 2.52) and reduced (P<0.05) the percentage of cracked eggs (0.22 to 0.08 %) in relation to the other experimental groups. However, diets did not change (P>0.05) the body weight of hens, egg weight, feed intake and broken, shell-less and dirty eggs, as well as external (shape index, weight, thickness, and surface area of the shell) and internal (albumen and yolk height, Haugh units and yolk color) quality of the egg of laying hens. Dietary addition of 1.0 % of mixed powder of medicinal plants (40 % A. occidentale, 20 % P. guajava, 20 % M. oleifera and 20 % M. citrifolia) is recommended to improve productive efficiency and reduce cracked eggs from laying hens.

Para evaluar el efecto fitobiótico del polvo mixto de plantas medicinales en la productividad y calidad de huevo de gallinas ponedoras, se utilizaron 120 aves White Leghorn (Híbrido L-33), de 27 semanas de edad. Durante 10 semanas, las aves se ubicaron según diseño totalmente aleatorizado con tres tratamientos, 10 repeticiones por tratamiento y cuatro aves por repetición. Los tratamientos experimentales consistieron en una dieta basal (T1) y la adición de 0.5 (T2) y 1.0 % (T3) del polvo mixto de hojas de plantas medicinales (40 % de Anacardium occidentale, 20 % de Psidium guajava, 20 % de Moringa oleifera y 20 % de Morinda citrifolia). El T3 mejoró (P<0.05) la intensidad de puesta (80.18 a 85.53 %) y la conversión masal (2.73 a 2.52) y redujo (P<0.05) el porcentaje de huevos cascados (0.22 a 0.08 %) con relación a los otros grupos experimentales. Sin embargo, las dietas no cambiaron (P > 0.05) el peso vivo de las gallinas, peso del huevo, consumo de alimento y los huevos rotos, fárfara y sucios, así como la calidad externa (índice de forma, peso, grosor y superficie de la cáscara) e interna (altura de la yema y albumen, unidades Haugh y color de la yema) del huevo de gallinas ponedoras. Se recomienda la adición dietética de 1.0 % del polvo mixto de plantas medicinales (40 % de A. occidentale, 20 % de P. guajava, 20 % de M. oleifera y 20 % de M. citrifolia) para mejorar la eficiencia productiva y reducir los huevos cascados de gallinas ponedoras.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of leaves and aqueous extracts from four medicinal plants (Anacardium occidentale, Psidium guajava, Morinda citrifolia, and Moringa oleifera). Six bacterial strains were used in the study, and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was determined for leaves, while the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and MBC were evaluated for aqueous extracts. Additionally, the in vitro antioxidant activity was measured using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl, and secondary metabolites were identified and quantified by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography. Results showed that A. occidentale and P. guajava had the highest antimicrobial activity against all bacterial strains, with A. occidentale and P. guajava also demonstrating the highest antioxidant activity. A. occidentale had a high concentration of quercetin 3-O-glucoside-7-O-rhamnoside, kaempeferol-7-O-glucoside, quercetin, caffeic acid, and cinnamic acid in its leaves. In conclusion, A. occidentale and P. guajava are the most effective plants in terms of in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activity in their leaves and aqueous extracts, while Moringa oleifera has good antioxidant activity but no bactericidal effect, and Morinda citrifolia has no antimicrobial or antioxidant effect.

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar las propiedades antimicrobianas y antioxidantes in vitro de hojas y extractos acuosos de cuatro plantas medicinales (Anacardium occidentale, Psidium guajava, Morinda citrifolia y Moringa oleifera). En el estudio se utilizaron seis cepas bacterianas y se determinó la concentración mínima bactericida (CMB) para las hojas, mientras que para los extractos acuosos se evaluó la concentración mínima inhibidora (CMI) y la CMB. Además, la actividad antioxidante in vitro se midió utilizando 1,1-difenil-2-picril-hidrazilo y los metabolitos secundarios se identificaron y cuantificaron mediante cromatografía líquida de ultra alta resolución. Los resultados mostraron que A. occidentale y P. guajava tuvieron la mayor actividad antimicrobiana contra todas las cepas bacterianas, y A. occidentale y P. guajava también demostraron la mayor actividad antioxidante. A. occidentale tenía una alta concentración de quercetina 3-O-glucósido-7-O-ramnósido, kaempeferol-7-O-glucósido, quercetina, ácido cafeico y ácido cinámico en sus hojas. En conclusión, A. occidentale y P. guajava son las plantas más efectivas en términos de actividad antimicrobiana y antioxidante in vitro en sus hojas y extractos acuosos, mientras que Moringa oleifera tiene buena actividad antioxidante pero ningún efecto bactericida, y Morinda citrifolia no tiene efecto antimicrobiano o efecto antioxidante.

RESUMO Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a influência da matéria orgânica no acúmulo de sais em três camadas de solo cultivado com plantas de noni irrigadas com água salobra, em condições de campo aberto e sombreamento parcial. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, disposto no esquema de parcelas subsubdivididas com cinco repetições. As parcelas foram constituídas pelos ambientes de cultivo (campo aberto e telado), as subparcelas pelas condutividades elétricas da água de irrigação (0,3; 1,5; 3,0; 4,5 e 6,0 dS m-1) e as subsubparcelas pela ausência e presença de matéria orgânica. Aos 110 dias após aplicação dos tratamentos, foram determinados a condutividade elétrica do extrato de saturação do solo e as concentrações de potássio, sódio, cálcio e magnésio em três camadas do solo (0-10, 10-20 e 20-30 cm). O sombreamento parcial reduziu o acúmulo total de sais e sódio no solo em relação ao campo aberto. O aumento da condutividade elétrica da água de irrigação reduziu as concentrações de potássio no solo, mas esse efeito foi compensado pela adição de matéria orgânica, que libera potássio, cálcio e magnésio para a nutrição das plantas. No entanto, o esterco bovino provoca acúmulo de sódio no solo nos tratamentos com maior salinidade da água.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the influence of organic matter on the salt accumulation in three layers of soil cultivated with noni plants irrigated with brackish water, in open field and under partial shading conditions. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, arranged in a split-split-plot scheme with five replicates. The plots were constituted by the cultivation environments (open and shaded field), the subplots by the electrical conductivity of the irrigation water (0.3, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, and 6.0 dS m-1), and the sub-subplots by the absence and presence of organic matter. At 110 days after application of the treatments, the electrical conductivity of the saturation extract and the potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium concentrations were determined in three soil layers (0-10, 10-20, and 20-30 cm). Partial shading reduced the total accumulation of salts and sodium in the soil compared to the open field. Increasing the electrical conductivity of irrigation water reduced potassium concentrations in the soil, but this effect is offset by the addition of organic matter, which releases potassium, calcium, and magnesium for plant nutrition. However, cattle manure increases sodium accumulation in the soil in treatments with the highest water salinity.

Abstract The objective of this work was to associate the use of biofilms to Lippia sidoides (Lippia) and Morinda citrifolia (Noni) essential oils and their respective major constituents in post-harvest quality components. The evaluations in this study were chromatographic analysis the essential oils, fruit mass reduction effect, total soluble solids, peel color and fruit firmness. Regarding the adjustment and viability of the essential oil concentrations to be used in the treatments, a phytotoxicity test was performed. The main constituent found in Noni essential oil was octanoic acid, while for Lippia essential oil was thymol. The concentration of 3% of Noni and Lippia essential oils was the maximum to reach an acceptable level of phytotoxicity on papaya fruit peel. The paraffin + L. sidoides and paraffin + M. citrifolia treatments achieved the lowest reduction in pulp mass. In relation to total soluble solids, treatments did not show a significant difference. The best result for firmness was found in sunflower oil + noni coating. Sunflower oil + noni and sunflower oil + octanoic acid were the treatments that maintained normal yellow color in fruits for longer time.

Abstract: Metallic nanoparticles (NPs) are being used mainly because they have excellent physical, chemical and biological properties, intrinsic to their size, therefore there is a boom in the use of these nanoparticles in various fields and recently, due to the pandemic about coronavirus. Copper NPs began to be used for use in medical supplies such as face masks. NPs are normally obtained through inorganic synthesis, however, the methodologies used to obtain them are in general terms expensive and involve the use of hazardous chemicals, which has increased the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives, as one of the main objectives of nanotechnology. Considering that nanoparticle biosynthesis is of greatest importance since it allowed obtaining organic NPs through an environmentally friendly; quick and inexpensive. In this work, the synthesis and characterization of AuNPs of six different plant extracts that in traditional medicine are used for respiratory diseases care, were performed. These NPs can be used in different fields; even they represent a good option to be added to medical supplies. As the AuNPs obtained from chamomile extract that turned out to be spherical, 20 nm in diameter, and well dispersed, these could be applied orally, as nanocapsules that are easily eliminated from the human body, or by aerosol, as a possible treatment for the pneumonia and SARS-CoV-2, in addition later for other nosocomial diseases. And to answer the question of what or which reducing agents are involved in the process? We proposed that, for biological synthesis, malic acid may be acting as a reducing agent and the amino group as a stabilizing agent, so we performed a synthesis with malic acid and obtained stable NPs. However, we do not dismiss other metabolites enzymes and/or proteins that could be involved in the process.

Resumen: Las nanopartículas metálicas (NPs) se utilizan debido a sus excelentes propiedades físicas, químicas y biológicas, intrínsecas a su tamaño, por lo que existe un auge en el uso de estas en diversos campos y, recientemente, debido a la pandemia por el coronavirus. Las NP de cobre comenzaron a incorporarse en suministros médicos, como máscaras faciales o cubrebocas. Las NP normalmente se obtienen mediante síntesis inorgánica, no obstante, las metodologías que se utilizan para su obtención son en términos generales costosas e implican el uso de químicos peligrosos, lo cual ha incrementado el desarrollo de alternativas sostenibles y amigables con el medio ambiente, como uno de los principales objetivos de la nanotecnología. En este trabajo, se realizó la síntesis y caracterización de AuNPs de seis extractos de plantas que en la medicina tradicional se utilizan para el cuidado de enfermedades respiratorias, considerando que la biosíntesis de nanopartículas es de gran importancia al permitir obtener NP estables a través de un método amigable con el ambiente, rápido y económico. Las NP obtenidas se pueden utilizar en diferentes campos, representan incluso una buena opción para agregarse a los suministros médicos, como las AuNPs obtenidas a partir del extracto de manzanilla que resultaron ser esféricas, de 20 nm, y bien dispersas, estas podrían ser aplicadas por vía oral, como nanocápsulas que se eliminen fácilmente del cuerpo humano, o mediante aerosol, como posible tratamiento primero para la neumonía y el SARS-CoV-2, y, posteriormente, para otras enfermedades nosocomiales. Y para responder a la pregunta sobre ¿qué agentes reductores intervienen en el proceso de biosíntesis de AuNPs?, proponemos que el ácido málico puede estar actuando como agente reductor, y el grupo amino como agente estabilizador; de este modo, realizamos una síntesis con ácido málico y obtuvimos NP estables. Sin embargo, no descartamos otros metabolitos, enzimas y/o proteínas que podrían estar involucradas.

RESUMO: Objetivou-se avaliar as características físicas e químicas do noni (Morinda citrifolia) cultivado no estado de Mato Grosso. Frutos maduros provenientes de um plantio localizado na cidade de Cuiabá, MT, tiveram a casca, polpa e as sementes separadas e submetidas a diferentes avaliações. As partes das frutas foram caracterizadas física e quimicamente. Foram feitas determinações de vitamina C, de carotenoides, de fenólicos e da atividade antioxidante total do mesocarpo (polpa) do fruto. O noni cultivado no Mato Grosso apresenta altos níveis de potássio, cálcio e sódio, com predominância de potássio. O teor de proteína foi maior na semente e, de cinzas, na casca, respectivamente. A polpa de noni apresentou altos níveis de vitamina C, carotenoides e fenólicos e pode ser considerado um potencial antioxidante.

ABSTRACT: The objective was to evaluate the physical and chemical characteristics of noni (Morinda citrifolia) grown in the Mato Grosso State. Ripe fruits from a field located in Cuiabá-MT, had the peel, pulp and seeds separated and subjected to different evaluations. The fruit parts were characterized physically and chemically. Determinations of vitamin C, carotenoids, phenolics and the total antioxidant activity of the fruit mesocarp (pulp) were made. Noni cultivated in the Mato Grosso State presents high levels of potassium, calcium and sodium, with predominance of potassium. The protein content was higher in the seed, and the ash, in the peel, respectively. Noni pulp showed high levels of vitamin C, carotenoids and phenolics and can be considered a potential antioxidant.

Abstract Morinda citrifolia L., generally known as noni, is commonly used in Thai medicines and cuisine. Several bioactive phytochemicals have been isolated and identified from the noni plant, and their compositions differ based on the cultivars and harvesting period. Different types of fermented noni fruit juices (FNJ) were used as health supplement in several southeastern countries. The formation of a large amount of alcohol, especially methanol, in FNJ is one of the major hindrances to FNJ production. The current study explains the impact of starter culture (Lactobacillus plantarum SK15), pasteurization and addition of EGCG on alcohol content, bioactivity, and the physiochemical property of FNJ. The pH and sugar content of the samples were reduced during fermentation, while the organic acid content increased. The samples with EGCG obviously exhibited high total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. The level of pectin was high, and pectin methylesterase (PME) activity was low in EGCG-added samples compared with other samples. The alcohol content of the samples was under the permissible level of Thai standard; specifically, the methanol level was low in EGCG-added samples. Pasteurization and addition of starter culture did not influence any of the studied parameters. About 70% of acceptability index was observed for FNJ samples in the sensory evaluation. The study concluded that the addition of EGCG effectively reduced the alcohol content and improved the quality of FNJ. Also, further studies are required to reveal the role of starter culture in noni fruit fermentation.

RESUMO A salinidade é um dos principais problemas agrícolas enfrentados, podendo influenciar negativamente o desenvolvimento vegetal. Porém, estudos têm demonstrado que em ambientes protegidos e sob aplicação de adubos orgânicos, os efeitos deletérios são amenizados. Nesse contexto, objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos da salinidade da água de irrigação sobre a nutrição mineral em plantas de noni, cultivadas em dois ambientes sob adubação com esterco bovino. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, disposto no esquema de parcelas subsubdivididas com cinco repetições. As parcelas foram constituídas pelos ambientes de cultivo (céu aberto e telado), as subparcelas pelas salinidades da água de irrigação (0,3; 1,5; 3,0; 4,5 e 6,0 dS m-1) e as subsubparcelas pela ausência e presença de matéria orgânica, com a unidade experimental consistindo de três vasos, totalizando 300 vasos. Foram determinados as concentrações foliares de nitrogênio, potássio, cálcio, magnésio, sódio e cloreto. Verificou-se que os teores foliares de Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ e Cl- e a razão Na/K aumentaram com o aumento da salinidade da água de irrigação, sendo os maiores incrementos observados no ambiente a céu aberto. A matéria orgânica não é relevante o suficiente para atenuar os efeitos deletérios da água de irrigação na concentração de nutrientes foliares em plantas de noni. A manutenção de menores valores da razão Na/K no tratamento com matéria orgânica é um fator positivo que pode atenuar os efeitos do estresse salino no metabolismo celular.

ABSTRACT Salinity is one of the main agricultural problems faced, and may negatively influence plant development. However, studies have shown that in protected environments and under the application of organic fertilizers, deleterious effects are mitigated. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of irrigation water salinity on mineral nutrition in noni plants grown in two environments and bovine manure application. The statistical design was a randomized block design arranged in split-split plot scheme, with five repetitions. The plots consisted of the cultivation environments (greenhouse and open field), the subplots formed by salinity levels of irrigation water (ECw: 0.3, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0 dS m-1), and the subsubplots were represented by the absence and presence of organic matter, with experimental unit consisting of three pots totaling 300 pots. The nitrogen, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium and chloride concentrations were determined in plant leaves. It was verified that the foliar concentrations of Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and Cl- and the ratio Na/K was increased with increasing salinity of the irrigation water, being the largest increments observed in the open field. Organic matter is not much relevant in attenuating the deleterious effects of irrigation water on the concentration of leaf nutrient in noni plants. The maintenance of lower values of Na/K ratio in the treatment with organic matter is a positive factor that can attenuate the effects of salt stress on cell metabolism.

RESUMO A irrigação é um fator limitante para o desenvolvimento das culturas, e todas as fontes de água contem sais, podendo acumular-se no solo e na planta, comprometendo seu desenvolvimento. Dentre algumas alternativas para atenuar os efeitos negativos dos sais nos vegetais está a utilização de vermicomposto, sendo este um adubo orgânico condicionador do solo e fonte de nutrientes para as plantas. Dessa forma, o estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o crescimento e o índice de clorofila do noni à salinidade da água de irrigação em substrato sem e com proporções de vermicomposto. Foi utilizado o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições utilizando o esquema fatorial 4 × 3, correspondente a quatro níveis de condutividade elétrica da água de irrigação (0,5; 1,5; 3,0; 4,5 dS m-1), em substratos sem húmus e com 33,33 e 66,66% de húmus com o solo. Três meses após a germinação foram avaliados: altura de planta; diâmetro caulinar; número de folhas; índices de clorofila (a, b e total) das folhas; e matéria fresca e seca da parte aérea e radicular das plantas. O aumento da salinidade na água de irrigação influência negativamente no crescimento em altura, diâmetro caulinar, produção de biomassa e índices de clorofila a e total, mas com menor intensidade nos substratos com húmus, que melhora a fertilidade do substrato e favorece o crescimento das plantas de noni, independentemente da salinidade da água de irrigação; no entanto, seu efeito benéfico diminui com o aumento da condutividade elétrica da água de irrigação.

ABSTRACT Irrigation is a limiting factor for the development of crops, and all water sources contain salts, which can accumulate in the soil and in the plant, compromising its development. The use of vermicompost is one of the alternatives to mitigate the negative effects of salts on plants. This organic compost is a soil conditioner and a nutrient source for plants. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the growth and chorophyll of noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) in response to the salinity of irrigation water in substrates with and without vermicompost. A completely randomized design in a 4 × 3 factorial scheme was used, corresponding to four levels of electrical conductivity of the irrigation water (0.5, 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 dS m-1), in three soil substrates (without humus, with 33.33 and 66.66% of humus). Three months after germination, the following variables were evaluated: plant height; stem diameter; number of leaves; chlorophyll index (a, b and total) in the leaves; and fresh and dry matter of shoots and roots. The increase of salinity in irrigation water negatively influences growth in height, stem diameter, biomass production and chlorophyll a and total indexes, but with lower intensity in substrates with humus, that improves the fertility of the substrate and favors the growth of noni plants, regardless of the salinity of the irrigation water; however, its beneficial effect decreases with the intensification of electrical conductivity of irrigation water.

Morinda citrifolia (noni) is found in the Atlantic and Amazonian Forest in Brazil and with recognized uses in folk medicine. However, few studies exist in its chemical characterization. The present work aims to investigate the efficiency of the sonication for extracting bioactive compounds from fruits and leaves of noni, using an experimental design of 23, whose variables were time, temperature and mass of the plant. Parallel extractions were performed using two extraction solvents (hexane and ethanol) and the same experimental design. The compounds were identified by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The independent variable was the mass yield and all the variables studied in the sonication process were significant (p < 0.05%) for the process. Ethanol was more effective than hexane and the leaves produced higher yield and diversity of compounds than fruits. Vitamin E (tocopherol), octanoic acid, hydroxymethylfurfural, phytol and squalene were the main compounds identified.

ABSTRACT The prevention of chronic and degenerative diseases, is a health concern deeply associated with oxidative stress. Such progressive phenomena can be avoided through exogenous antioxidant intake, which set up a reductant cascade, mopping up damaging free radicals. Medicinal herbs are commonly associated with high antioxidant potential, and hence their health benefits. The commerce of dried herbal extracts movements a big portion of developing countries economy. The determination of medicinal herbs the antioxidant activity capacity is of utmost importance. The assessment of antioxidant activity in phytotherapics is mostly achieved by spectrophotometric assays, however colored substances can produce interferences that do not occur in electroanalytical methods. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to compare spectrophotometric and voltammetric techniques to evaluate antioxidant activity in herbal drugs such as: Ginkgo biloba L., Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze, Theaceae; Hypericum perforatum L., Hypericaceae; Aesculus hippocastanum L., Sapindaceae; Rosmarinus officinalis L., Lamiaceae; Morinda citrifolia L., Rubiaceae; Centella asiatica (L.) Urb., Apiaceae; Trifolium pratense L., Fabaceae; Crataegus oxyacantha L., Rosaceae; and Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton, Ericaceae. The spectrophotometric methods employed were DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and the Folin-Ciocalteu assays. The electroanalytical method used was voltammetry and it was developed a phenoloxidase based biosensor. The redox behavior observed for each herbal sample resulted in distinguishable voltammetric profiles. The highest electrochemical indexes were found to G. biloba and H. perforatum, corroborating to traditional spectrophotometric methods. Thus, the electroanalysis of herbal drugs, may be a promising tool for antioxidant potential assessment.