Extraction of Valuable Compounds from Ginja Cherry By-Products: Effect of the Solvent and Antioxidant Properties

Purpose To study the composition of extracts of Ginja cherries stems and leaves obtained after extraction using different solvents and to evaluate their antioxidant activities. Stems and leaves are by-products of the Ginjinha cherry liquor production; extracting valuable compounds with the most appropriate solvent would valorise these wastes. Method The extraction was performed using different solvents (acetone, ethanol, methanol, ethyl acetate, water, 2-propanol); liquid chromatography-electro spray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI/MS) was utilized to identify the predominant phenolic acids and flavonoids present in the resulting extracts. The Total Phenolic Content was determined with the Folin-Ciocolteau method. The antioxidant activity was also tested using the ABTS(+) essay. Results Stems extracts showed a higher concentration in polyphenols than those from leaves. The solvent affected remarkably the extracts compositions: considering the polyphenols content ethanol and water gave the best results for stems and leaves, respectively. A good correlation was established between the antioxidant activity of the extracts and their polyphenolic composition.