JBCS

INTRODUTION

Presently in Brazil the fruit production is based on the demand for fresh fruits because of its nutritional value and commercial values, especially for export. Besides, it is increasing the demand for tropical fruits due their unique and exotic flavor. The industrial processing of tropical and subtropical fruits generates relatively high amounts of waste such as bagasse, bark and seeds, which are often dropped and that could be used to reduce food waste. Brazilian fruit industries produce waste that could have a much more beneficial purpose to man and the environment.¹

Fruit seeds are considered important sources of oil presenting nutritional, industrial and pharmaceutical relevance. The use of the oil of the fruit seeds could be an alternative in the use of agro-industrial waste. These residues of fruit seeds are also considerable besides others, source of energy in the biodiesel production from the extracted vegetable oils.²

The genus Spondias (Anacardiaceae) comprehends tropical trees mostly of them producing edible fruits that present economic potential to the local Brazilian farmers. The exploitation of fruits of species of this genus basically involves family labor and, the fruits are sold in local markets and used to prepare juices, sweets, ice cream, coolers and liquors, as well gum extraction. Spondias mombin L. is popularly known as "cajá", it is a native tree mainly found in the north and northeast brazilian regions.³ In these regions are also common finding other Spondias spp. such as "siriguela" (S. purpurea), "umbu" (Spondias tuberosa), "cajarana" (S. cytherea) and "umbu-caja" (S. bahiensis).⁴

Native S. mombin fruits present potential use for food processing to produce jelly, juice, jams and ice cream mainly in northeastern Brazil. Besides, the leaves are used in folk medicine in the treatment of several topic and systemic diseases such as mouth and throat's inflammations, in cases of prostatitis and herpes labialis. A survey of the relevant literature revealed S. mombin exhibit antimicrobial, leishmanicide, antiviral, hypoglycemic and antioxidant activities.⁵

To date, there are few studies dealing with chemical composition and biological activities of S. mombin extracts. Antiviral ellagitannins and caffeoyl esters besides alkenyl salicylic acids were isolated from the leaves and stems of this plant.⁶ However, the chemical composition of these fruits is almost unknown, Hamano and Mercadante⁷ determined by HPLC the carotenoid composition and vitamin A values of Brazilian commercial products of "cajá" fruits, frozen pulps and pasteurized juices. The ripe fruit of S. mombin is an approximately 3.8 cm long oval yellow plum with a thin, smooth and yellow skin, edible pulp with a very exotic taste. Very rich in vitamins B₁ and C, the fruit mostly exists as a single and oval seed measuring 2.5 x 1.5 cm.⁸

Currently, pulp industries of tropical fruit existing in Bahia State (Brazil) very often discard the peels and seeds after the process of cutting and fruit juice extractions. As this disposal represents many tons by year; so, a way for adding value to these by-products presents economic, scientific and technological interest. The S. mombin oil seeds must have its chemical composition determined for use in feed or even for biodiesel. In addition, the oil should not be toxic. In this work, we carried out a study to characterize the chemical composition and toxicity of hog plum seeds' oil, aiming at an employment for the local industrial waste seeds.

 

EXPERIMENTAL

General procedures

All solvents employed were analytical-grade from Qhemis^® and Baker^®, dimethyl disulfide and F.A.M.E. (fatty acid methyl esters) mixture used were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich, sodium methoxide from Fluka and resublimed iodine and sodium thiosulfate were obtained from Merck. Silica gel 60 (63-200 and 40-63 µm) from Acros were employed in the column chromatographic separations and, precoated Silica gel 60 F₂₅₄ TLC plates (Merck) were used to monitoring the chromatographic fractions revealed by iodine fumes and/or UV light (254/365 nm).

The NMR spectra (mono and bidimensional) were obtained on a Varian equipment mod. Gemini 2000 operating at 300 MHz (¹H) and 75 MHz (¹³C) and on a Bruker mod. AC250 operating at 250 MHz (¹H), employing CDCl₃ (Aldrich^®) as solvent and TMS as the internal standard. FTIR spectra were recorded in a Shimiadzu spectrophotomer mod. IRAfinnity.

The fatty acid methyl esters were analyzed on a Shimadzu GC-MS equipment (mod. QP2010) using a 30.0 m x 0.25 mm Rtx-1MS column (Crossbond 100% dimethyl polysiloxane) with 0.25 µm film. The operating conditions of the chromatographic analysis were as follows: temperature of the column started at 100 °C with heating rate 5 °C min^-1 to 200 °C and then it was increased to 280 °C at 10 °C min^-1; injector was set at 250 °C; interface temperature of 280 °C; ion-source temperature of 250 °C and helium was used as carrier gas (flow rate 18 mL min^-1). Mass spectra were recorded in mass spectrometer operating in scan form; the filament voltage of 70 eV; detector voltage 1.3 KV and quadrupole analyzer. The methyl esters were identified by comparison to the mass spectra in NIST 147 e WILEY 8 libraries and F.A.M.E (fatty acid methyl esters) mixture as standard.

Extraction and isolation of chemical constituents

Spondias mombin hog plum were purchased in street markets of the city of Salvador, they were pulped, and the obtained seeds dried and crushed obtaining 172.38 g. The voucher was deposited in the Herbarium of the Universidade Federal da Bahia with number of identification JMD-51. The dried and pulverized material was subjected to three consecutive extractions with ethanol (300 mL) for 48 hours, followed by concentration under reduced pressure. The ethanol extract obtained was dissolved in MeOH:H₂O (7:3) and then partitioned between CH₂Cl₂:MeOH/H₂O and after removal of solvent yielding 4.49 g of CH₂Cl₂ soluble fraction. The CH₂Cl₂ extract was submitted to a CC over silica gel 60 and eluted with a gradient of hexane:EtOAc mixtures, the similar fractions were grouped by TLC analysis employing UV light as the revelator (254/366 nm).

The fractions from the main CC eluted with a hexane:EtOAc (9:1 and 8:2) allowed to obtain 2 g of triglyceride. The fractions eluted with 30% EtOAc (83.0 mg) from the main CC was submitted to CC using hexane:EtOAc (9:1) furnishing a mixture of n-alkyl phenols (12.3 mg). The fractions eluted with 50% EtOAc (232 mg) afforded the mixture of β-sitosterol and stigmasterol (79.6 mg).

1-Hydroxyl-3-[(Z)-10'-octadecenyl]-benzene (2) and 1-hydroxyl- 3-[(Z)-10'-docosenyl] benzene (3). Oil. Negative HRMS [M-H]^- m/z 343.3012 (2) and 399.3632 (3) [C₂₄H₄₀O and C₂₈H₄₈O requires 343.3000 and 399.3627]. IR (film) ν_max 3420-3200 (OH), 2930 (C-H), 2849 (C-H), 1610 (C=C), 1272 (C-O); ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR data, see Table 2.

 

 

 

 

Transesterification reaction

The methyl esters were obtained from the reflux of 25 mg of triglyceride with sodium methoxide solution (0.5 mol L^-1) in methanol (2.0 mL). The isolation of the methyl esters was performed after adding distilled water to the reaction mixture, followed by extraction with hexane and DCM.

Thioalkylation reaction

The alkenyl phenols (3.0 mg) were subjected to an addition reaction employing 1 mL dimethyl disulfide and iodine as catalyst (6 mg mL^-1). The system was purged with nitrogen and kept closed under magnetic stirring for 24-48 h at room temperature, followed by treating in the system with 1 mL of an aqueous sodium thiosulfate (5%) solution. Subsequently the mixture was separated into binary separatory funnel, and the solvent was eliminated at reduced pressure in a rotary evaporator.⁹

Brine Shrimp test

The brine shrimp lethality assay was performed using methodology previously described with minor modifications.¹⁰ Brine shrimp (Artemia salina) eggs were hatched in artificial seawater and the extracts, fractions and isolated compounds were tested at concentrations of 50, 75, 100, 150, 300, 600 and 1000 µg mL^-1. After 24 hours of incubation with the tested samples at 25 °C, the number of nauplii that remained alive were evaluated. Artificial seawater was employed as a negative control (blank) and podophyllotoxin as a positive control. The data analyzed and LC₅₀ values were determined by Probit analysis with a 95% confidence interval.

 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

From the DCM soluble fraction obtained from the seeds of S. mombin were isolated by chromatographic techniques the triglyceride 1, the mixture of new alkenyl phenols 2 and 3, as well as a 3:1 mixture of β-sitosterol (4) and stigmasterol (5) determinated by NMR analysis (Figure 1).

 

 

The fraction eluted with from the main silica gel CC was enriched with one specific triglyceride. This finding was based on the mass spectra and NMR spectroscopy such as ¹H and detailed ¹³C NMR data analysis (including DEPT experiment). Detailed analysis of the ¹H NMR spectrum revealed that this triglyceride was a mixture of fatty acids due to the presence of the triplet at δ 0.89 attributed to methyl hydrogens; a peak at δ 1.23 due to methylene group hydrogens (β-olefinic and/or γ-carbonyl); peak at δ 1.62 attributed to methylene β-carbonyl hydrogens; peak at δ 2.05 of allylic hydrogens; α-carbonyl hydrogens at δ 2.32; bis-allylic hydrogens at δ 2.77; multiplet of olefin (δ 5.35); oxymethylene hydrogens triplets at δ 4.23 due the peaks of C-1 and C-3 hydrogens the glycerol moiety and the C-2 hydrogen at δ 5.26.¹¹ Comparison of the spectra of ¹H NMR of the main triglyceride present in the seed oil of S. mombin and sunflower, olive and corn oil spectra profile, it appears that have similarity with the main triglycerides from sunflower and corn oils.¹²

The ¹³C NMR spectrum data together with the experiment DEPT 135° experiment showed signals for acyl carbons at δ 173.2 and 172.8; olefinic carbons at δ 130.2, 129.9, 129.7 and 128.1, 127.9, indicating the presence of two unsaturated fatty acids besides the resonances of C1 and C2 carbon of the glycerol (δ 68.9 and 62.1) moiety. Chemical shifts displayed at δ 34.2 and 34.0 correspond to α-methylene groups in relation to the carboxyl; saturated CH₂ groups are at δ 31.9 to 22.5; CH₂ external allylic to the olefinic double bond, presented a peak at δ 27.2; CH₂ internal olefin was observed at δ 25.6; the β-carbonyl carbons were observed at δ 24.9 and methyl groups were observed at δ 14.0 and 14.1.¹³ Thus, through the analysis of these findings and employing the methodology for triglyceride identification¹⁴ was possible to proposed the main triglyceride present in the seed's oil was a mixed ABA triacylglycerol named glycerol 1,3-dioleoyl-2-linoleoyl (OLO). To corroborate with this proposal, after derivatization of triglycerides from the seed oil by transesterification reaction and obtaining the corresponding methyl esters, they were identified by GC/MS and by F.A.M.E. standard. In the chromatogram was recorded five majority peaks with different retention times, and each gave a mass spectrum whose respective molecular ions at m/z 270, m/z 294, m/z 296, m/z 298 and m/z 466 are fragments corresponding to methyl esters of palmitic (hexadecanoic), linoleic (9,12-octadecadienoic), oleic (9-octadecenoic), stearic (octadecanoic) and melissic (triacontanoic) acids (Table 1). The analyzes corroborate the oil is composed majority by unsaturated fatty acids.

The structural determination of the inseparable mixture of new alkenyl phenols 2 and 3 was established through analysis of data obtained from NMR and MS data. The negative HRESIMS showed pseudo-molecular ions [M-H] at m/z 343.3012 and 399.3632. These data combined with data ¹H NMR and ¹³C (including DEPT) allowed to propose the molecular formula C₂₄H₄₀O and C₂₈H₄₈O for compounds 2 and 3, respectively. The ¹H NMR spectrum showed signals in the aromatic region whose integration corresponded to four hydrogens, suggesting the presence of disubstituted aromatic ring. However, the observed peak multiplicities cannot clarify the pattern of ring substitution. The peak at δ 5.35 (t, J = 4.7 Hz), integrating for two hydrogens, was attributed of similar olefinic hydrogens and the C-12' and C-9' methylene resonances (δ 27.2 and 26.9) in the ¹³C NMR spectra are indicative of Z disubstituted double bond.¹⁵ These data together with the signals from δ 0.90 to 2.50 hydrogens suggested the presence of alkenylic chain bonded a disubstituted aromatic ring. The bidimensional experiments (HMQC and HMBC) contributed to assign the phenyl groups present in the structure but they did not help in the unequivocal structural elucidation. The corrected phenyl pattern substitution was suggested by ¹³C NMR data comparison with those described in the literature and prediction chemical shift calculations,¹⁵ considering the substituent effects of the aromatic ring permitted to identify the compound as being a 3-alkenyl phenol derivative (Table 2).

The correct location of the double bond in each compound was established through the mass spectral analyses of the α, β-bis(thiomethyl) derivatives (DMDS). The mass spectra of the DMDS derivatives showed the ion peak fragment at m/z 279 (C₁₇H₂₇OS) due to the cleavage of the bond between the carbon bearing the methylthio groups between C-10' and C-11' (Figure 2). So, the mass spectrum allowed to determinate the unsaturation position in the same carbon in both compounds.

 

 

The brine shrimp test (BST) was employed as a cytotoxic screening for the extracts and alkenylphenols 2 and 3. The CL₅₀ 6259.8 µg mL^-1 determinated for the hexane extract against A. salina could be considered as non-toxic,¹⁰ similar result found with oils without presence of alkyl/alkenyl phenols in their composition. However, the isolated inseparable alkenylphenol mixture present some toxicity (CL₅₀ 215.4 µg mL^-1) in the same test.

 

CONCLUSION

The composition of the seeds oil from Spondias mombin is rich of unsaturated fatty acid, phytosteroids and the main triglyceride present was identified as glycerol 1,3-dioleoyl-2-linoleoyl. These findings indicate it is similar palm oil once the saturated fatty acids comprise 45%.¹⁶ Anacardiaceae family has been the main source of alkyl phenols, which are considered a chemical marker.¹⁷ From S. mobim oil were isolated two alkenyl phenols identified as 1-hydroxy-3-[(Z)-10'-octadecenyl]-benzene and 1-hydroxy-3-[(Z)-10'-docosenil]-benzene. Some of these compounds are considerated toxic. Although the extracts showed no cytotoxicity in the BST test, compounds 2 and 3 presented low toxicity and this result indicated these vegetable oils should be better studied in order the can be used as edible.

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors are grateful to the CNPq, CAPES and PRONEM/FAPESB for grants and fellowships.

 

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