Análise do teor de espilantol presente na espécie Acmella oleracea (L.) R. K. Jansen (Jambu)

Abstract

The species Acmella oleracea (L.) R.K. Jansen, popularly known as jambu in Northern Brazil, is widely used as flavoring in typical dishes of the region and popular medicine. In addition, nowadays, it has become of economic interest by national and international cosmetic companies due to its alkylamide, the spilanthol. In this context, considering the importance of the active principle of Jambu, this study aimed at performing the qualitative analysis of the concentration of spilanthol present in the species (root, shoot, and inflorescence) during its growth. Initially, the spilanthol standard was isolated for use in chromatographic analysis as standard. To obtain the extract from the matrices, soxhlet extraction was performed using ethanol/water as the solvent mixture (7:3v/v), under reflux for 4 hours. Concentrations of 5mg /mL of each matrix were measured and analyzed by HPLC, performed in the isocratic mode, with ACN/H2O (70:30), stationary phase C18 column and UV absorbance of 230 nm. As results of the analyzes, it was possible to observe that the highest yield of the spilanthol was in the aerial part, in the species with 30 days of planting, and throughout the species growth, the spilanthol had a higher yield in the roots at 60 days. At 90 days, the compound moves to the aerial part up to the inflorescences, where was observed the highest yield of the spilanthol.