Isolation and identification of antioxidants from Cuban plant species

Phytochemicals showing antioxidant properties are largely recognized as beneficial for human health and disease prevention. Cuba is well-known for having a rich flora with a high percentage of endemic species; it is considered as an interesting reservoir of plant species for searching bioactive metabolites. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant potential of three endemic varieties of Erythroxylum alaternifolium A. Rich, var. alaternifolium, var. parvifolium, var. suborbiculare and three native Cuban species of the genus Pluchea: P. carolinensis (Jacq.) G. Don, P. odorata (L.) Cass. and P. rosea Godfrey. Additionally, the major antioxidant compounds were identified and quantified from the most promising species.