Chemical prospection and antioxidant activity of Humiria balsamifera (Aubl.) A. St. Hil. AND Hymenaea courbaril L

Abstract

The objective of this study was to conduct chemical analyses of bioactive compounds found in the bark and leaves of Humiria balsamifera (Aubl.) A. St. Hil. and Hymenaea courbaril L. Chemical screening was performed to detect the presence of secondary metabolites. Quantification of the concentrations of phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, flavonoids, and antioxidants was performed by ultraviolet spectrophotometry through recommended methodologies. Extracts of the leaves of Humiria balsamifera (Aubl.) A. St. Hil. were found to have high concentrations of flobabénic tannins. Tannins, flavonoids, flavonols, flavonones, flavanonols, xanthones, steroids, and saponins were also found in bark extracts of the same species. The plant species Humiria balsamifera (Aubl.) A. St. Hil. and Hymenaea courbaril L. showed potential for antioxidant activity and for use in the pharmacological and food industries.

Keywords: Bioactivity; natural pharmacology; traditional knowledge.