A total of twenty different extracts from six Brazilian Bromeliaceae species was screened for antioxidant activity by assessment of their capacity to scavenge the DPPH radical. In a general way, the polar rhizome extracts from Bromeliaceae representatives showed better antioxidant results than the extracts from leaves and fruits of the same species. The best results were found for the rhizome extracts of Vriesea procera (Mart. ex Schult.f.) Wittm. and Neoregelia cruenta (Graham) L.B. Sm. Crude methanol extract of Ananas bracteatus (Lindl.) Schult. & Schult. f. leaf had a significant antiradical activity among the leaves extracts assessed its purification afforded four metabolites: 2-O-feruloyl glyceride, 2-O-p-coumaroyl glyceride, 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3,3',5'-trimethoxyflavone and 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl sitosterol.
Bromeliaceae; antioxidant; 2-O-feruloyl glyceride; 2-O-p-coumaroyl glyceride; 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3,3',5'-trimethoxyflavone
