Effect of extraction method in the content of phytoestrogens and main phenolics in mesquite pod extracts (Prosopis sp.).

Different methodologies were tested to extract phytoestrogens and the main phenolic compounds from mesquite pods (Prosopis sp.) collected at Tequisquiapan, Queretaro, Mexico. This fruit is used for human consumption as well as feedstuff for ovines, caprines, and other farm animals. Other researchers previously observed changes in hormonal profiles on rats fed with mesquite pod extracts, affecting their reproductive cycle and behavior; those changes were attributed to phytoestrogens such as genistein and daidzein reported in soybeans, possibly present in mesquite due that this plant is also a legume. Given the agronomic and commercial importance of mesquite in this region and other semiarid zones of Mexico, this work was focused on optimization of the extraction conditions for these compounds. The results shown the presence of vanillic acid, vanillin, and that other phenols such as ferulic and caffeic acids which were the most abundant compounds extracted with the studied extraction methods. In addition, the results showed that only genistein was present in mesquite extracts at very low concentrations compared to soy extracts.

Keywords: Prosopis, mesquite pods, phytoestrogens, phenols, isoflavones.