Until now, the Mauritian endemic fruit Tambourissa ficus of the Monimiaceae family has remained unexplored. The study’s goal was to look into the phytochemical composition and antioxidant properties of different solvent extracts of the fruit. The presence of phenolics, flavonoids, terpenes, coumarins, alkaloids, and tannins was discovered through qualitative screening. The highest total polyphenol content (TPC = 9.78 ± 0.18 mg GAE/g dw) and the highest total flavonoid content (TFC = 8.84 ± 0.07 mg QE/g dw) was observed in ethanolic extract, while the highest total terpenoid content (TTC = 587.9 ± 0.72 mg linalool/g dw) was found in the acetone extract. The antioxidant activity vs. ABTS was the highest (4.71 ± 0.18 mg TE/g dw) in the ethanol extract. All three groups—TPC, TFC, and TTC revealed a moderate correlation with ABTS antioxidant activity, being 0.754, 0.778, and 0.774 on average, respectively. Ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy spectrophotometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed the presence of polyphenolic compounds. Individual noteworthy phytochemicals, including the alkaloids chelidonine, protopine, and brevicarine, which are potential antioxidant compounds, were also discovered in the fruit through liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) screening. The overall antioxidant activity of the fruit can, therefore, be attributed to the synergistic effects of the multiple chemical components in the extracts.

Sideroxylon cinereum, an endemic Mauritian fruit, was investigated through comprehensive chemical analyses of solvent extracts from its pulp and seed. Dried fruit materials were subjected to maceration using water and organic solvents including methanol, ethanol, propanol, and acetone to obtain extracts of varying polarity. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of several bioactive compounds, with pulp extracts generally richer in phytochemicals than seed extracts. UV-Vis and FTIR analyses confirmed key organic constituents, including sulfoxides in seeds. HPLC quantification showed notable citric acid content in the pulp (15.63 mg/g dry weight). Antioxidant assays indicated that organic solvent extracts of the pulp had superior free radical scavenging activity, while the seed’s aqueous extract exhibited the highest ferric reducing power. GC–MS profiling identified a diverse bioactive profile rich in terpenes, notably lanosterol acetate (>45% in both pulp and seeds). It is important to note that these findings are based on solvent extracts, which may differ from the phytochemical composition of the whole fruit as typically consumed. Among the extracts, aqueous fractions are likely the most relevant to dietary intake. Overall, the extracts of Sideroxylon cinereum pulp and seed show potential as sources of bioactive compounds for functional product development.

Psidium guajava leaf paste and decoction have long been used in Mauritius for their efficacy in dandruff management. The study aimed to test P. guajava leaf extracts against fungi collected from dandruff patients' scalps, as previous research has shown a strong link between dandruff and dermatophytes. Fungi were isolated and cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA), which contained 2% olive oil, 1% Tween 80, and chloramphenicol. The isolates were identified using physiological, macroscopic, microscopic, biochemical, and molecular techniques. Hydrodistillation and Soxhlet extraction of Mauritian P. guajava leaves were used to obtain essential oil and different solvent fractions, which were then screened for the presence of phytochemicals. The microdilution assay was used to test the antifungal activity of harvested extracts against isolates. Neurospora intermedia, Trichoderma atroviride, and Trichosporon asahii were identified as fungi. The solvents chloroform, methanol, and hexane produced higher extract yields (16.2%, 15.2% and 14.7%). The phytochemicals were most abundant in the chloroform-methanol (4:1 v/v) fraction. The methanol fraction had the highest total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total tannin content (TTC), with concentrations of 298.27 19.66 g GAE/g, 132.1 6.15 g QUE/g, and 118.53 1.60 g GAE/g, respectively. Isolates were most sensitive to chloroform-methanol (4:1 v/v) and methanol fractions, with a MIC of 1.56 mg/mL. From the study, it can be deduced that P. guajava leaf extracts are effective antifungal agents and potential ingredients for natural antidandruff hair products, which are in high demand in the cosmetic industry.

The high prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Mauritius during the last decade has been an alarming situation that needs scrutiny for a healthier future Mauritian population