Phytochemical Screening and Betaxanthines of Pilosocereus catingicola (Gürke) Byles & Rowley Subsp. salvadorensis (Werderm.) Zappi (Cactaceae)

Abstract

In the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil, we find several cacti that are very important for the regional fauna and flora, including the “facheiro” (Pilosocereus catingicola (Gürke) Byles & Rowley subsp. salvadorensis (Werderm.) Zappi, a species that belongs to this botanical family and is widespread in the Paraiba semiarid region. The objective of this study was quantify and characterize the chemical constituents of the fruits and cladodes of Pilosocereus catingicola subsp. salvadorensis. The fruits were lyophilized and the samples were subsequently ground. A 2 gram aliquot of the lyophilized material was solubilized in 5 mL of 50% MeOH and 50 mmol L-1 of sodium ascorbate and distilled water. The extractive content was monitored by absorbance in a UV-VIS Meter® SP2000 (600 nm) spectrophotometer. Analyzes were performed using the SAS® Program (North Carolina, USA), version 9.2. The constituent groups identified on the stem were the phenolic and tannin groups: steroids, tannins, flavonoids, and saponins. Betalains are the group of alkaloids of greater expression in the fruits of this species, from which the betaxanthines are its main constituents, such as vulgaxanthin III, muscarine and dopaxanthin. Pilosocereus catingicola is a potential source of these metabolites in different parts of the plant, which, therefore, justifies encouraging the best employment of the species.