Morpho-Anatomical and Physical-Chemical Characterization of Guabiroba Leaves: Campomanesia Reitziana D. Legrand

Abstract

Campomanesia reitziana, popularly known as guabiroba in South and Southern Brazil, belongs to the Myrtaceae family. Among other species, Campomanesia xanthocarpa has been used to reduce hunger by chewing the leaves. Our study aimed to characterize Campomanesia reitziana as a pharmaceutical raw material. Fresh leaves were described by botanical analysis. After drying, the leaves were powdered and characterized by loss on drying (LD), particle size, water extractable matter (EM), total and acid insoluble ash (TA and AIA), total flavonoids (TFC) and total phenolic (TPC) contents, and thin layer chromatographic (TLC) profile. Powdered leaves were classified as coarse powder, 5.43 (%, w/w) of TA and 0.55 (%, w/w) of AIA, 23.88% (w/w) of EM, 16.30 mg/g of TFC and 2.95 mg/g of TPC. TLC revealed the presence of a major flavonoid, probably a glycosylated phenolic compound, as pointed by NMR analysis, and which need further studies for identification.