Novel biologically active principles from spinach, goji and quinoa

Spinach leaves, goji berries and quinoa seeds are claimed to have a great nutraceutical potential due to their high content of compounds providing benefits for human health, such as amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, betaine, vitamins, fibre, minerals and polyphenols. Samples of these plants were extracted with different solvent mixtures (e.g. EtOH, H2O/EtOH 3:7 and H2O/EtOH 7:3) and extractions were accomplished using a microwave apparatus. Subsequent UHPLC analysis and photodiode array detection were employed for the quantification of biologically active compounds like 7-isopentenyloxycoumarin, auraptene, umbelliprenin, boropinic acid and 4'-geranyloxyferulic acid. EtOH was found to be the best solvent in terms of extractive yields and the above-mentioned phytochemicals were recorded in the concentration range 2.01-49.22 mu g/g dry extract. The findings depicted herein revealed that spinach, goji and quinoa are good sources of oxyprenylated umbelliferone and ferulic acid derivatives.