Identification of Polyphenols and Anti-Oxidant Capacity of Piper aduncum L

Ethanol extracts of Piper aduncum L. leaves from five sub-regions in the tropical Peruvian rainforest were as- sessed for polyphenol content utilizing liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry with electrospray ioniza- tion (LC-MS-ESI). The anti-oxidant capacity was estimated using a DPPH radical scavenging assay. Additionally, the re- ducing power (capacity to reduce Fe 3+ to Fe 2+ ), the capacity to scavenge hydrogen peroxide and the total polyphenol con- tent, were assessed. Analysis led to the identification of gallic acid, catechin, chlorogenic acid, epicatechin, rutin, querci- trin, phloridzin, quercetin, and phloretin, as well as determination of potent anti-oxidant capacities by P. aduncum L.