Antioxidants in Plants: A Valorization Potential Emphasizing the Need for the Conservation of Plant Biodiversity in Cuba
Gabriel Llauradó Maury,
Daniel Méndez Rodríguez,
Sophie Hendrix,
Julio César Escalona Arranz,
Yilan Fung Boix,
Ania Ochoa Pacheco,
Jesús García Díaz,
Humberto J. Morris-Quevedo,
Albys Ferrer Dubois,
Elizabeth Isaac Aleman,
Natalie Beenaerts,
Isidro E. Méndez-Santos,
Teresa Orberá Ratón,
Paul Cos,
Ann Cuypers
Affiliations
Gabriel Llauradó Maury
Centre of Studies for Industrial Biotechnology (CEBI), University of Oriente, Avenida Patricio Lumumba s/n, Reparto Jiménez, Santiago de Cuba CP 90500, Cuba
Daniel Méndez Rodríguez
Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Camagüey, Carretera Circunvalación Norte, km 5 ½, Camagüey CP 70100, Cuba
Sophie Hendrix
Centre for Environmental Sciences, Campus Diepenbeek, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, BE-3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
Julio César Escalona Arranz
Pharmacy Department, University of Oriente, Avenida Patricio Lumumba s/n, Reparto Jiménez, Santiago de Cuba CP 90500, Cuba
Yilan Fung Boix
National Center of Applied Electromagnetism, University of Oriente, Avenida Las Américas s/n, P.O. Box 4078, Santiago de Cuba CP 90400, Cuba
Ania Ochoa Pacheco
Pharmacy Department, University of Oriente, Avenida Patricio Lumumba s/n, Reparto Jiménez, Santiago de Cuba CP 90500, Cuba
Jesús García Díaz
Pharmacy Department, University of Oriente, Avenida Patricio Lumumba s/n, Reparto Jiménez, Santiago de Cuba CP 90500, Cuba
Humberto J. Morris-Quevedo
Centre of Studies for Industrial Biotechnology (CEBI), University of Oriente, Avenida Patricio Lumumba s/n, Reparto Jiménez, Santiago de Cuba CP 90500, Cuba
Albys Ferrer Dubois
National Center of Applied Electromagnetism, University of Oriente, Avenida Las Américas s/n, P.O. Box 4078, Santiago de Cuba CP 90400, Cuba
Elizabeth Isaac Aleman
National Center of Applied Electromagnetism, University of Oriente, Avenida Las Américas s/n, P.O. Box 4078, Santiago de Cuba CP 90400, Cuba
Natalie Beenaerts
Centre for Environmental Sciences, Campus Diepenbeek, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, BE-3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
Isidro E. Méndez-Santos
Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Camagüey, Carretera Circunvalación Norte, km 5 ½, Camagüey CP 70100, Cuba
Teresa Orberá Ratón
Centre of Studies for Industrial Biotechnology (CEBI), University of Oriente, Avenida Patricio Lumumba s/n, Reparto Jiménez, Santiago de Cuba CP 90500, Cuba
Paul Cos
Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, BE-2610 Antwerp, Belgium
Ann Cuypers
Centre for Environmental Sciences, Campus Diepenbeek, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, BE-3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
Plants are phytochemical hubs containing antioxidants, essential for normal plant functioning and adaptation to environmental cues and delivering beneficial properties for human health. Therefore, knowledge on the antioxidant potential of different plant species and their nutraceutical and pharmaceutical properties is of utmost importance. Exploring this scientific research field provides fundamental clues on (1) plant stress responses and their adaptive evolution to harsh environmental conditions and (2) (new) natural antioxidants with a functional versatility to prevent and treat human pathologies. These natural antioxidants can be valorized via plant-derived foods and products. Cuba contains an enormously rich plant biodiversity harboring a great antioxidant potential. Besides opening new avenues for the implementation of sustainable agroecological practices in crop production, it will also contribute to new strategies to preserve plant biodiversity and simultaneously improve nature management policies in Cuba. This review provides an overview on the beneficial properties of antioxidants for plant protection and human health and is directed to the valorization of these plant antioxidants, emphasizing the need for biodiversity conservation.
