Aromatic plants as a source of important phytochemicals: Vitamins, sugars and fatty acids in Cistus ladanifer, Cupressus lusitanica and Eucalyptus gunnii leaves

The phytochemical composition of three aromatic plants (Cistus ladanifer L., Cupressus lusitanica Mill. and Eucalyptus gunnii Hook. f) was evaluated, in order to valorize them as sources of nutraceuticals. Samples were analysed for ascorbic acid by spectrophotometric assay, tocopherols by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to a fluorescence detector, sugars by HPLC coupled to a refraction index detector (RID), and fatty acids by gas-chromatography (GC) coupled to a flame ionization detector (FID). The analysed plants contain very useful compounds such as vitamins (ascorbic acid and tocopherols), reducing sugars (glucose and fructose) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic, α-linoleic and eicosadienoic acids). Their vitamins and sugars could be useful in diseases related to oxidative stress, in dermatological applications or in cosmetics. The polyunsaturated fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6 families, detected in the plants constitute another important class of phytochemicals due to their generalized beneficial health effects.