Aromatic plants as a source of important phytochemicals: Vitamins, sugars and fatty acids in Cistus ladanifer, Cupressus lusitanica and Eucalyptus gunnii leaves
The phytochemical composition of three aromatic plants (Cistus ladanifer L., Cupressus lusitanica Mill.
and Eucalyptus gunnii Hook. f) was evaluated, in order to valorize them as sources of nutraceuticals.
Samples were analysed for ascorbic acid by spectrophotometric assay, tocopherols by high performance
liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to a fluorescence detector, sugars by HPLC coupled to a refraction
index detector (RID), and fatty acids by gas-chromatography (GC) coupled to a flame ionization
detector (FID). The analysed plants contain very useful compounds such as vitamins (ascorbic acid and
tocopherols), reducing sugars (glucose and fructose) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic, -linoleic
and eicosadienoic acids). Their vitamins and sugars could be useful in diseases related to oxidative stress,
in dermatological applications or in cosmetics. The polyunsaturated fatty acids, including omega-3 and
omega-6 families, detected in the plants constitute another important class of phytochemicals due to
their generalized beneficial health effects.
