2025/10/06 by Minxing Zhang, Lidia Montero, J. A. Mendiola +1 · 1 voice · 1 citation
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Chemistry · #Heavy Metals in Plants #Seed and Plant Biochemistry #Sensory Analysis and Statistical Methods
paper · doi:10.1016/j.supflu.2025.106801
openalex publication_date 2025/10/06 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/02
Ilex guayusa , a traditional Amazonian plant rich in caffeine and polyphenols, has attracted interest for its antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. This study evaluates the potential of green compressed fluid extraction techniques to recover bioactive compounds from I. guayusa leaves using environmentally friendly solvents: pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), gas-expanded liquids (GXL), and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). A mixture design approach combining CO2, ethanol, water, and 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MTHF) in different proportions as solvents was applied to optimize extraction conditions. Among the tested methods, GXL extraction yielded the highest phenolic content and demonstrated superior antioxidant (ABTS and DPPH) and anti-inflammatory (inhibition of lipoxigenase, LOX) activities. Conventional water maceration showed stronger cholinesterase inhibition, suggesting complementary neuroprotective potential. Chemical profiling (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS) of the optimized extract confirmed the presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids associated with the observed bioactivities. These findings highlight the effectiveness of compressed fluid-based green extraction for obtaining multifunctional phytochemicals from I. guayusa , with promising applications in functional foods and nutraceuticals.