Unveiling the Phytochemical Richness of Guatemalan Spondias: Comparative Analysis of Phenolics, Flavonoids and Antioxidant Potential

Jocote fruits, derived from Spondias purpurea and Spondias mombin, are widely consumed in Guatemala and are traditionally valued for their nutritional and medicinal properties. Previous studies conducted in other regions highlight their richness in vitamins and phenolic constituents with potential health benefits. This study evaluated the flavonoid composition, total phenolic content, and antioxidant capacity of nine varieties of the two Spondias species collected from distinct regions of Guatemala to assess their potential as nutraceutical resources. Antioxidant activity was determined using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assay, while total phenolics were quantified by the Folin–Ciocalteu method. Flavonoids and related phenolic compounds were profiled using HPLC-DAD, with compound identification based on retention time comparison with analytical standards. Extracts from the Corona, Tronador, and Rax Ux varieties of S. purpurea and the Jobo and Quinin varieties of S. mombin exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 6.19 to 7.96 mg/L. Across the samples, p-coumaric acid and rutin were the most frequently detected phytochemicals (present in 14 samples), followed by quercetin (detected in 13 of the 15 samples). These findings demonstrate that Guatemalan jocote fruits possess a variety of bioactive flavonoids and phenolic compounds, supporting their classification as nutraceutical candidates due to their strong antioxidant potential. Further pharmacological and cytotoxicity studies are recommended to elucidate additional health-related benefits and broaden their potential applications in nutraceutical development.