This research was designed to evaluate the influence of the irradiation process of the leaf extracts of Libidibia ferrea (Leguminosae) on the production of secondary chemical compounds, including their biological activity. Leaves were collected and prepared to obtain the crude extract, which was then aliquoted and separately exposed to a Co-60 source with different doses, namely: 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, and 30 kGy. From irradiated and control samples, tests of toxicity were carried out with the microcrustacea Artemia salina Leach at three moments: 24 h, 60 and 180 days after the irradiation of the samples. Bioassays showed an increase in the toxicity of the irradiated extracts, correlated with the dose. The toxicity level did not change with the storage time, indicating the excellent stability of the samples. To assess the phytochemical profile of the crude and irradiated extracts, three techniques were employed: thin-layer chromatography (TLC), liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The phytochemical results emphasized the presence of phenols, tannins, and triterpenes. The analytical tests confirmed the role of ionizing radiation in breaking down macromolecules into simpler chemical species responsible for increasing chemical activity of the extract. This report presents and discusses ionizing radiation as an outstanding tool for enhancing active chemical compounds in leaf extracts of Libidibia ferrea, which reflects on their biochemical properties.

本研究旨在评估Libidibia ferrea（豆科）叶提取物的辐照过程对次级化合物产生的影响，包括其生物活性。收集并制备叶子以获得粗提取物，然后将其等分并分别暴露于不同剂量的 Co-60 源，即：5、7、10、12、15、20、25 和 30 kGy。从辐照样品和对照样品中，对微甲壳类卤虫进行了毒性测试在三个时刻浸出：样品辐照后 24 小时、60 天和 180 天。生物测定显示受辐照提取物的毒性增加，与剂量相关。毒性水平不随储存时间变化，表明样品具有优异的稳定性。为了评估粗提取物和辐照提取物的植物化学特征，采用了三种技术：薄层色谱 (TLC)、液相色谱与质谱联用 (LC-MS) 和气相色谱与质谱联用 (GC-MS)。植物化学结果强调了酚类、单宁和三萜的存在。分析测试证实了电离辐射在将大分子分解成更简单的化学物质方面的作用，这些化学物质负责增加提取物的化学活性。Libidibia ferrea，反映了它们的生化特性。