Ethanol extracts of powdered genipap (Genipa americana L.), umbu (Spondia tuberosa A.) and siriguela
(Spondia purpurea L.) prepared from separate pulp, seeds and peel were investigated for their (i) antioxidant
capacity, which was evaluated by various known methods; (ii) acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity;
and (iii) cytotoxic effect on corneal epithelial cells of sheep. The highest values of total phenolic content
were obtained with peel and seed extracts. Siriguela and umbu (seeds and peel) extracts displayed the
highest antioxidant activities. Lipid peroxidation assays using mimetic biomembranes and mouse liver homogenates
indicated that genipap pulp is a promising antioxidant. The investigation of phenols and organic
acid contents revealed the presence of quercetin, citric and quinic acids, chlorogenic acid derivatives, among
others, in several extracts, with the highest amount found in siriguela seeds. Genipap pulp and siriguela seed
ethanol extracts presented an AChE inhibition zone similar to that of the positive control, carbachol. AChE inhibition
assay with chlorogenic acid, one of the main constituents of siriguela seeds, revealed that this acid
showed activity similar to that of the control physostigmine. These data suggest that these extracts are potentially
important antioxidant supplements for the everyday human diet, pharmaceutical and cosmetic
industries.