Antioxidant activity, carotenoids, chlorophylls and mineral composition from leaves of Pallenis spinosa: an Algerian medicinal plant.

Background Plant and medicinal herbs are important sources of bioactive compounds and minerals that can play a role in preventing various diseases and they are considered a factor indispensable for the proper functioning of the human body. Methods We investigated the content of carotenoids and chlorophylls of leaves from Pallenis spinosa (P. spinosa), as well as their antioxidant activity and mineral composition then, we optimized the solvent extraction for the recovery of total carotenoids and chlorophylls using spectrophotometric method. Finally, we tested the antioxidant activity of the optimized extract by three assays (DPPH, ABTS and FRAP) and we determined the mineral composition by Emission Spectrometer Induced Couple Plasma (ICP). Results Carotenoid (CART), chlorophylls (CHLa + b), chlorophyll a (CHLA), chlorophyll b (CHLB) contents were about 36.337 ± 0.312; 347.769 ± 6.326; 224.286 ± 5.601; 123.483 ± 1.339 mg/100 g dw, respectively. We revealed an interesting antioxidant capacity by the tested extract (DPPH: 127.522 ± 1.406 mmol ET/Kgdw, ABTS: 104.827 ± 1.222 mmol ET/Kgdw and FRAP 71.89 ± 0.495 ± 0.994 mmol ET/Kgdw). Carotenoids and chlorophylls content correlate positively with the antioxidant activity of P. spinosa leaves extract (r=0.646-0.986). Eight minerals have been detected (Mg, Ca, P, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and Cr), Mg and Ca being the predominant ones (6479.32 ± 48.33 and 3851.88 ± 130.63 mg/Kg, respectively). Conclusions These results have shown that P. spinosa leaves are a good source of carotenoids and chlorophylls with a potent antioxidant potential with high amount of minerals.

Extraction of carotenoids from cantaloupe waste and determination of its mineral composition.

The carotenoid and mineral levels as well as the in vitro antioxidant capacity, using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, of waste from cantaloupe was assessed. Then the matrix was subjected to ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and response surface methodology (RSM) was used for the optimization of the extraction of carotenoids. The effect of the extraction procedure on the microstructure of the powder was assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. The major carotenoids identified were lutein (63.24 ±â€¯0.73 µg ßCE/g dw) and ß-carotene (56.43 ±â€¯0.11 µg ßCE/g dw). Several mineral elements (K, Na, P, Mg, Ca, Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn) were identified, potassium being the major one.The extract exhibited in vitro antioxidant activity (IC50 = 7.33 ±â€¯0.22 µg/mL). The RSM results showed that an amplitude of 100%, extraction time of 10 min, hexane percentage of 80% in hexane/acetone solvent, and solvent-to-solid ratio of 55 mL/g were the optimal conditions for the extraction of carotenoids. Under these conditions, the carotenoid content of the extract was 124.61 ±â€¯3.82 µg/g.The microscopic analysis revealed the effectiveness of the ultrasound treatment that results in noticeable physical changes, like microscopic perforations and breakages.