Identification of Polyphenols and Anti-Oxidant Capacity of Piper aduncum L.

Ethanol extracts of Piper aduncum L. leaves from five sub-regions in the tropical Peruvian rainforest were assessed for polyphenol content utilizing liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization (LC-MS-ESI). The anti-oxidant capacity was estimated using a DPPH radical scavenging assay. Additionally, the reducing power (capacity to reduce Fe3+ to Fe2+), the capacity to scavenge hydrogen peroxide and the total polyphenol content, were assessed. Analysis led to the identification of gallic acid, catechin, chlorogenic acid, epicatechin, rutin, quercitrin, phloridzin, quercetin, and phloretin, as well as determination of potent anti-oxidant capacities by P. aduncum L.