Find in Library

<i>Hyptis colombiana</i> (Lamiaceae family), a species also treated as <i>Cantinoa colombiana</i> in a recently segregated genus from <i>Hyptis</i>, is a perennial herb or subshrub native to the Andes of northern South America. <i>H. colombiana</i> leaves are commonly used in traditional medicine to treat respiratory and digestive illnesses. In this study, <i>H. colombiana</i> plants at different phenological stages (vegetative, flowering, and post-flowering) were harvested to obtain essential oils (EOs) and extracts (from fresh plant materials or post-distillation waste) whose chemical compositions and antioxidant activities were determined. <i>H. colombiana</i> EOs distilled by microwave-assisted hydrodistillation were analyzed by GC/MS/FID, and hydroalcoholic extracts obtained from fresh plant materials or post-distillation waste were analyzed by UHPLC-ESI^+/−-Orbitrap-MS. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by the ABTS^+• and ORAC assays. The principal compounds found in EOs were sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (65%); specifically, (<i>E</i>)-β-caryophyllene and germacrene D. Pyranone, rosmarinic acid, rutin, and <i>p</i>-hydroxybenzoic acid were the main constituents in <i>H. colombiana</i> extracts. After analyzing the chemical composition and antioxidant activity (ORAC) of EOs and hydroethanolic extracts from flowering <i>H. colombiana</i> plants, minimal variations were found. It is advisable to harvest <i>H. colombiana</i> plants during their flowering stage to acquire EOs and extracts that can be utilized in the agro-industry of EOs and their natural derivatives.