## 3 Discussion
### Lc-Esi-Qtof-Ms/Ms Analysis
#### 3.5.1 Putative Identification of Flavonoids  
Rutin is formed by the flavonoid quercetin aglycone along with the disaccharide rutinose at position 3 of the carbon ring [55]. C\({}_{27}\)H\({}_{30}\)O\({}_{16}\) was identified from the protonated peak [M + H]\({}^{+}\) with \(m/z\) 611.1612 and the two main fragments \(m/z\) 465.1032, corresponding to the loss of the rhamn [56], and \(m/z\) 303.0501, corresponding to quercetin aglycone [57]. Rutin is present in studies involving methanolic extract of _B. anisandra_ and ethanolic extracts of roots and leaves of some _Heteroptersy_ species, and in extracts of ripe and unripe fruits of Malpighia species, among others [58]. This substance is associated with excellent antioxidant activity and pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory, hepatocytes, antidiabetic, and neuroprotective effects [55]. The molecule isoquerctrin (quercetin-3-O-glucose) C\({}_{21}\)H\({}_{20}\)O\({}_{12}\), identified with the protonated peak [M + H]\({}^{+}\)\(m/z\) 465.1032, had as main fragments \(m/z\) 303.0509 [M + H-Glu]\({}^{+}\), \(m/z\) 153.0188 [M + H-Glu-H\({}_{2}\)O-C\({}_{8}\)H\({}_{6}\)O\({}_{2}\)]\({}^{+}\) produced from Retro Diels-Alder (RDA) rearrangement, and \(m/z\) 137.0238 [M + H-Glu-O-H\({}_{2}\)O-C\({}_{8}\)H\({}_{6}\)O-O]\({}^{+}\) in accordance with [59]. Isoquerctrin isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of _Byrsonima coccolobifolia_ Kunth was evaluated in studies for its inhibition of NS2B-NS3 proteases essential in the Dengue virus (DENV) replication cycle, being considered a promising substance for developing strategies against this infection [60]. These two flavonoids (rutin and isoquerctrin) present in the _Byrsonima sericea_ leaf extract were attributed with gastroprotective effects [61] and protection against ethanol-induced gastric lesions. Isoorientin and orientin were also noted, with the formula C\({}_{21}\)H\({}_{20}\)O\({}_{11}\) and the molecular ion [M + H]\({}^{+}\)\(m/z\) 449.1084, showing losses of 120 \(m/z\) and 150 \(m/z\), characteristic of mono-C-hexosyl portions in MS/MS, resulting in fragmented ions \(m/z\) 329.0667 and 299.0559, respectively, as described in the literature [62]. The presence of these substances has been reported in investigations related to Malpighiaceae, in extracts of _Bunchosia glandulifera_ leaves and _Malpighia emarginata_ DC fruits, associated with antioxidant effects [58]. The presence of vitexin and isovitexin (apigenin-C-hexoside) is related to the molecular ion [M + H]\({}^{+}\)\(m/z\) 433.1141, corresponding to the formula C\({}_{21}\)H\({}_{20}\)O\({}_{10}\), with observed lossesof 120 \(m/z\) and 150 \(m/z\); the resulting fragmented ions were \(m/z\) 313.0711 and \(m/z\) 283.0605, respectively, indicating the presence of these substances [62]. These substances orientin, isoorientin, vitexin, and isovitexin are present in extracts of _Bunchosia glandulifera_ and _M. emarginata_ DC leaves and are associated with antioxidant activity [58]. For _M. glabra_ L., it was found that the extract, rich in such flavonoids, possesses properties that protect the liver against damage induced by toxic substances [63]. In this study, the presence of miricetin-3-O-galactosidase or miricetin-3-O-glucose was noted with \(m/z\) 481.0982 and formula C\({}_{21}\)H\({}_{20}\)O\({}_{13}\). The fragments were 319.0447 \(m/z\), suggesting cleavage at position 3 where glycosylation is characteristic, and 273.0399 \(m/z\) referring to the aglycone, both typical of 3-O-monoglycosides [6]. In some Malpighiaceae, such as _M. glabra_ and _Byrsonina crassifolia_ ([PERSON], antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects related to substances like miricetin aglycone have been observed [58]. When comparing the antioxidant activity of miricetin-3-O-galactosidase and miricetin aglycone [64], the EC\({}_{50}\) is lower for miricetin aglycone, indicating greater oxidative power, implying that galactosylation negatively impacts the antioxidant process.