Genotypes of Sechium spp. as a Source of Natural Products with Biological Activity

The genus <i>Sechium</i> P. Br. (Cucurbitaceae) includes ten species, two of which are edible. The inedible genotypes are in a fragile ecological niche, since they are not used by rural inhabitants. A rescue and genetic crossing program was designed to identify uses that favor their conservation due to their content of bioactive secondary metabolites (Sm) for health. Fruits of <i>S. compositum</i> (wild type), hybrid H-D Victor (inedible), and <i>S. edule</i> var<i>. nigrum spinosum</i> (edible) were evaluated by extraction methods such as juice and oven drying to determine the yields of Sm, with in vivo evaluations of liver damage. The dried biomass (40 °C) extracted with ethanolic and methanolic procedures showed lower Sm content than the juice (fresh biomass). More than 90% of phenolic acids and cucurbitacins in the extracts were degraded, possibly due to the drying time (oven). Biological activity showed that <i>nigrum spinosum</i> and HD-Victor have fewer toxic metabolites than <i>S. compositum</i>. The hybrid H-D Victor is of reduced cytotoxicity, showing the advantages of hybridization with wild types. Phytochemical and biological activity characterization may contribute to the conservation of genotypes and become a source of bioactive natural products.