Aesculus hippocastanum L.: a simple ornamental plant or a source of compelling molecules for industry?

Aesculus hippocastanum L., also known as horse chestnut, is an ornamental tree whose seeds are mostly discarded in landfills in the regions where they are grown. However, recent studies have shown that these seeds can be a source of interesting compounds for several industries. This work aimed to ch...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Separations 2023-03, Vol.10 (3), p.160
Main Authors: Dridi, Asma, Reis, Filipa S., Pires, Tânia, Calhelha, Ricardo C., Pereira, Carla, Zaghdoudi, Khalil, Ferreira, Isabel, Barros, Lillian, Barreira, João
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acids
Analytical techniques
Antioxidants
Bioactive compounds
Bioactivity
Biocompatibility
Biological activity
Calibration
Catechin
Chestnut
Chromatographic methodologies
Chromatography
Functional foods & nutraceuticals
Horse chestnut
Horses
In vitro methods and tests
Industrial applications
Lipids
Organic acids
Phenols
Seeds
Skin
Toxicity
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Summary:Aesculus hippocastanum L., also known as horse chestnut, is an ornamental tree whose seeds are mostly discarded in landfills in the regions where they are grown. However, recent studies have shown that these seeds can be a source of interesting compounds for several industries. This work aimed to chemically characterize horse chestnut seeds at the level of compounds recognized for their wide bioactivity, i.e., organic acids, including phenolic compounds, using chromatographic methodologies (UFLC-DAD and LC-DAD-ESI/MSn). In addition, the bioactivity of these seeds was evaluated by in vitro methodologies, seeking to relate the respective (bio)activity to the compounds present in the endocarp (husk), seed coat (skin), and peeled seed (pulp). The antioxidant activity (lipid peroxidation inhibition and oxidative haemolysis inhibition), antibacterial potential (against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria) and cytotoxicity (in human tumour cell lines and porcine liver primary cells) were evaluated. Kaempferol-O-pentoside-O-hexoside-O-hexoside was the main phenolic identified in the pulp. At the same time, (-)-epicatechin and beta-type (epi)catechin dimer were the major phenolics present in husk and skin, respectively. In general, A. hippocastanum extracts presented antioxidant and antibacterial potential, without toxicity up to the maximal tested dose. Overall, these findings anticipate potential applications of A. hippocastanum seeds in food- or pharmaceutical-related uses.
ISSN:2297-8739
2297-8739
DOI:10.3390/separations10030160