Determination of the health-protective effect of different Sempervivum and Jovibarba species

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the micro- and macroelements, as well as the total antioxidant, and polyphenol content of 22 different types of dried houseleek, and fresh plant decoctions. The measurement of antioxidant and polyphenol content was carried out with two drying methods- a drying cabinet and lyophilization. The plants, without exception, were provided by Berger Trio Kft. from Jánossomorja (Hungary), thus, the influencing effect of the environment is negligible in the case of the tested species. Based on the results, the type of houseleek has a clear influencing effect on the amount of the tested constituents. The investigated microelements were B, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn, while Ca, K, Mg, Na, P, and S were examined among the macroelements. In terms of microelement content, Mn was present in outstanding amounts (20.67–148.00 mg/kg DW), while among macroelements Ca (44.43–95.27 g/kg DW) and Na (24.07–128.50 g/kg DW) was present in larger quantities in the samples. It can be said that in the case of samples with a high amount of antioxidants and polyphenols, the element content is low and the reverse is also true. During the examination of the dried houseleeks, outstanding values were obtained for the tested compounds. The antioxidant values of the dried leaves were between 2.22 and 317.74 mg AAE/g DW, while their polyphenol contents ranged from 5.52 to 144.16 mg GAE/g DW, however, the drying methods had some influencing effect. Regarding fresh plant decoctions, the polyphenol contents (0,02–1,11 mg GAE/g FW) were negligible, while the amount of antioxidants (2,38–4,61 mg AAe/g FW) were low. With other solvents (e.g. alcoholic extraction - tinctures), better results are likely to be achieved. Houseleek species (especially in dried form) are an excellent source of trace elements, antioxidants, and phenolic components so they can even be used as additives to functional foods or consumed on their own in the form of encapsulated dietary supplements.