Digital image: an innovative tool for determining phenolic compounds in Markhamia tomentosa and Bunchosia glandulifera

This work use pixels of digital image as an innovative method for the determination phenolic compounds in Markhamia tomentosa and Bunchosia glandulifera with the PhotoMetrix® program application, using linear correlation techniques for univariate analysis, using systems of RGB colors (red, green and blue). To determine the total phenolics, the reaction with ferric chloride was used, using quercetin as the standard. For the acquisition of data or smartphone, the support made with low-cost materials was used, showing the possibility of using this analytical tool, the costs related to analytical instrumentation. The total phenolic content was also determined using a spectrophotometry technique in the visible ultraviolet (UV-Vis). The quantification of total phenolic compounds in all samples can be performed. However, the pulp of Bunchosia glandulifera showed the highest content of phenolic compounds. The content of phenolic compounds found in the seed of Bunchosia glandulifera was 259.54 mg 100 g-1 in relation to the results found in the analysis of total phenolics of Markhamia tomentosa can be observed in the flower in natura has a higher content of phenolic compounds. The dried flower had a 317 mg 100 g-1, the leaf having a concentration of 287.79 mg 100 g-1 and the peel with a concentration of 107.03 mg 100 g-1. Showing that drying may have degraded the bioactive compounds. With this easily accessible method it was possible to determine phenolic compounds in two plants from different families, totaling six concentration results using Photometrix and six results using the spectrophotometer to compare these results. Thus, we can have viable method for performing other tests with several samples. The method is reproducible and can be an efficient and economical alternative for determining these parameters in diversified foods.