Abstract

Was studied extraction with supercritical fluids using Leptocarpha rivularis leaves as substrate, a species native to southern Chile. Supercritical fluid technology, is an ideal technology for the extraction of natural compounds with therapeutic properties, an alternative to conventional technology with organic liquid solvents. The extracts were obtained by extraction with supercritical CO 2 , using a factorial design that combined different levels of pressure (20, 30 and 40 MPa) and temperature (40 and 60C). The inhibitory capacity of α-amylase, an enzyme associated to type 2 diabetes was measured. Also the total flavonoids content (spectrophotometry), kaempferol (HPLC-DAD) and caryophyllene oxide (GC-FID) were measured. Pressure was the main factor (p<0.05) that had a positive effect on all responses. The pressure increased the density of CO 2 , thereby increasing its solvent power. Extracts with the higher inhibition capacity for α- amylase and higher flavonoid content were obtained at 40 MPa and at 60C. A correlation analysis (p<0.01) showed that the ability to inhibit α-amylase was explained by its content of kaempferol (flavonoid) and caryophylene oxide (sesquiterpene). Extracts from L. rivularis leaves can serve as an alternative for the treatment of diabetes due to its ability to inhibit α-amylase.