Antioxidant activity and phenolic profiles of wild currant Ribes magellanicum from Chilean and Argentinian Patagonia

Abstract

The Patagonian currant Ribes magellanicum is highly valued due to its pleasantflavor and sweet taste. The aim of this study was to characterize its constituentsand to assess their antioxidant and cytoprotective properties. For the fruitphenolic-enrichedextract (PEE), total phenolics (TP), total flavonoids (TF), andantioxidant activity (DPPH, Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), andTrolox equivalent antioxidant activity (TEAC)) were determined. Argentineansamples presented better activity in the DPPH and FRAP assays. Best cytoprotectionagainst oxidative stress induced by H2O2 in AGS cells was found in oneArgentinean sample at 500 μg mL−1 (65.7%). HPLC MS/MS analysis allowedthe tentative identification of 59 constituents, including eight anthocyanins, 11conjugates of caffeic-,ferulic-,and coumaric acid, and 38 flavonoids, most ofthem quercetin and kaempferol derivatives. Argentinean samples showed a morecomplex pattern of anthocyanins, hydroxycinnamic acids (HCA), and flavonoids.Cyanidin rhamnoside hexoside and cyanidin hexoside were the main anthocyanins,accounting for 35 and 55% for the Argentinean and 60 and 27% for theripe Chilean fruits. HCA content was about three times higher in Argentineansamples. The phenolic profiles of Chilean and Argentinean Ribes magellanicumshow remarkable differences in chemical composition with higher HCA andflavonoid content in Argentinean samples.