Characterization studies of Genipa americana extract and its granules: phytochemical, physicochemical and thermal properties

Abstract

Genipa americana L. is popularly known as jenipapo and has a potential herbal medicine with various pharmacological activities. Granules is a simple and useful pharmaceutical form to obtain herbal medicines in solid-state and has advantage due to protection of the bioactive compounds herbal extract. The aim of this study was to conduct studies of characterization of Genipa americana extract and its granules to evaluate their phytochemical, physicochemical and thermal properties. The crude extract of Genipa americana leaves was obtained by maceration using ethanol. A total of four Genipa americana granules were obtained using wet granulation process. Phytochemical characterization was performed: total phenol and total flavonoid contents and DPPH, FRAP and MDA assays. Physicochemical characterization was performed using SEM, FTIR, UV–Vis, dissolution profile and UFLC-DAD/UV analysis. Thermal characterization was performed using TG technique. The crude extract of Genipa americana and its granules showed the presence of iridoids (genipin and geniposides), flavonoids and phenolic compounds and genipin derivatives after hydrolysis experiment using the UFLC-DAD/UV. The DPPH assay showed antioxidant activity with an IC50 of 207.07 µg cm⁻³ for the Genipa americana extract and 198.34 to 298.71 µg cm⁻³ for the Genipa americana granules. The FRAP assay showed a good ability to reduce the iron III–TPTZ complex to iron II–TPTZ with values between 1092 and 1532 µM ferrous sulfate. g⁻¹ also explained by the presence of phenolic compounds and flavonoids. The maloaldehyde (MDA) assay showed acceptable levels and similar to the scientific literature. SEM analysis showed granules with morphology and particle size that characterize them as microparticles. FTIR analysis showed similarity between the identification bands of the crude Genipa americana granules with pharmaceutical excipients. The dissolution profiles of the Genipa americana granules showed characteristics of highly water-soluble pharmaceutical compositions with total release of the genipin marker between 30 and 60 min. The Genipa americana granules showed moisture content between 4.27 and 11.6% by the thermogravimetric analysis. The granules indicated greater protection and stability for the Genipa americana extract in these pharmaceutical formulations. The wet granulation process proved to be suitable and low-cost for Genipa americana extract. The moisture content of the granules can cause variability in genipin content to be stored in appropriate environment and packaging.