QTOF-ESI MS Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of <i>Physalis peruviana</i> L. (Cape Gooseberry) Husks and Fruits from Costa Rica

Abstract

There is increasing interest in research of secondary metabolites from Physalis peruviana (Cape gooseberry) because of their potential bioactivities. In this study, the profile of compounds found in fruits and husks from Costa Rica was determined through ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry using a quadrupole time-of-flight analyzer (UPLC-ESI-QTOF MS) on extracts (n = 10) obtained through pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) conditions. In total, 66 different compounds were identified, comprising 34 withanolides, 23 sucrose ester derivatives and 9 flavonoids. UPLC-DAD analysis was performed to determine the β-carotene in fruits and to quantify the flavonoids in all 10 samples, with the results showing higher contents in samples from the Dota region (58.6–60.1 μg/g of dry material versus 1.6–2.8 mg/g of dry material). The Folin–Ciocalteau total polyphenolic content (FC) and antioxidant activity using the DPPH method showed better results for the husk extracts, with the ones from the Dota region holding the best values (4.3–5.1 mg GAE/g of dry material versus IC50 = 1.6–2.3 mg of dry material/mL). In addition, a significant negative correlation was found between the RU, FC and DPPH values (r = −0.902, p P. peruviana husks and fruits from Costa Rica constitute a substrate of interest for further studies on their potential health benefits.

Keywords

• <i>Physalis peruviana</i>
• withanolides
• flavonoids
• sucroses
• UPLC-DAD
• QTOF-ESI MS