Potential of species of the flora of the Nipe-Sagua-Baracoa mountain massif, as a source of bioactive substances of economic interest

Abstract

The research was carried out at the Mountain Development Center, with objective of identifying the secondary metabolic groups, qualitative phytochemical screening was carried out in 21 species of flora, in ecosystems to the Nipe-Sagua-Baracoa mountain massif. The species were selected on the basis of an exhaustive bibliographical review, on the botanical families most frequently associated with biological activities of agrobiological and pharmaceutical interest. The collections of plant material were carried out in the morning, in 13 sites corresponding to localities of the El Salvador municipality, Guantánamo province. Qualitative phytochemical screening was carried out, evidencing the presence in all species of triterpenes/steroids and phenols/tannins, appearing as the most frequent groups of metabolites, followed by flavonoids. The results obtained demonstrate the potential of the flora in the natural ecosystems ofthe massif, as a source of substances with biological activity of interest for agriculture and the pharmaceutical industry.