Evaluation of phenolic and flavonoid content and antioxidant activity in Alternathera sissoo extracts

Alternanthera sissoo or Amazonian spinach is a UFP (Unconventional Food Plant) found in regional markets, and is part of the food of the Amazonian population. To gain more knowledge about the species, this study aims to analyze the phenolic and total flavonoid content and to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of plant extracts under different processing forms. The sample was collected, sanitized and the extracts obtained from fresh (F), dried (D), boiled water (BW) and steam-bleached (BV) leaves, using 50% hydroethanolic solution at 75º C for two hours under agitation. The results showed that the IN and BA samples had better results for phenolics and total flavonoids, and for antioxidant capacity, the BA sample had higher activity. Thus, it was possible to observe the existence of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity in the samples and to determine the influence of processing on the results.