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Pharmacognosis and phytochemical study of leaves, flowers, fruit shells, and seeds of two varieties of nephelium lappaceum L. cultivated in Ecuador

Abstract:

Nephelium lappaceum L., commonly known as achotillo, rambutan, or Chinese sucker is a fruit native to Asia whose cultivation has spread in many countries. In addition to its use as food due to the chemical components it possesses, various therapeutic properties are attributed to it. Among these are its use to combat obesity and diabetes is, which is why it is also considered a source of nutraceutical products. The objective of this work was to study two varieties of rambutan grown in Ecuador and to evaluate their pharmacognostic and phytochemical characteristics and their use as a source of anti-obesity nutraceutical products. The aerial parts of two varieties of adult plants in the flowering-fruiting state from the province of Los Rios were used. The organoleptic characteristics and dimensions of the organs; histological analysis of leaves, and fruit bark, physicochemical parameters, phytochemical screening and content of phenols and flavonoids were evaluated. Macroscopically the varieties presented slight differences in the dimensions and coloration; however, histologically there were no differences. The physicochemical parameters showed a discrepancy between the varieties and different plant organs. The content of phenols and flavonoids established the difference between the two varieties. Differences among the organs of the two varieties that underwent qualitive and quantitive analysis were found and thus it was established that the bitter type had the highest concentrations of the active ingredients responsible for battling obesity.