Abstract

BELTRAN SINCHIGUANO, Elena; MATUTE DELEG, Edison; ANDRADE CUVI, María José  and  RUBIO MONTERO, Daniela. Effect of UV - C Radiation on the Native Flora and Antioxidant Capacity of the Tea Mixture Made up of Lemon Balm, Nettle, Parsley and Paico from Cotacachi -Ecuador. Rev Politéc. (Quito) [online]. 2017, vol.39, n.1, pp.19-26. ISSN 2477-8990.

It was studied the effect of UV-C radiation on the native flora and antioxidant capacity of the mixture for tea made up lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), nettle (Urtica dioica), parsley (Petroselinum sativum) and paico (Chenopodium ambrosioides) of the Andean zone of Cotacachi. The mixture was analyzed in two batches: one at an initial stage and another after 5 months storage at room temperature, these were treated with doses of UV-C of 2,3; 4,1 and 6,5 kJ / m2. Microbiological analysis of total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, total coliforms, molds and yeasts were performed. Antioxidant capacity with the ABTS method was analyzed, and the total polyphenol content with the Folin-Ciocalteu. The treated samples exhibited a decrease in total aerobes, molds and yeasts; however, there was an increase of total coliforms. The UV-C radiation showed a beneficial effect on the polyphenol content for both the mixture of dried herbs and the brewed tea. As the antioxidant capacity, there was a negative effect on the mixture of dried herbs, and drink tea showed no statistical difference. The storage time provoked a reduction in the antioxidant capacity and the polyphenol content of the mixture of dried herbs and brewed tea.

Keywords : ultraviolet radiation; antioxidants; antimicrobial; medicinal plants.

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