Flavonoids in Selected Mediterranean Fruits: Extraction, Electrochemical Detection and Total Antioxidant Capacity Evaluation

Abstract

AbstractFlavonoids are natural phenolic derivatives that, in low concentration, can provide health benefits by preventing biomolecules (proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, sugars) oxidative damage through free radical mediated reactions. The flavonoids, in selected Mediterranean seasonal fruits: apricot, sour cherry, plum, pomegranate, date, prickly pear (cactus fruit), and nectarine, by RP‐HPLC, coupled with photodiode array and electrochemical detectors, after microwave‐ultrasound assisted extraction, using flavonoid standards, were detected. The total antioxidant capacity in the lyophilized fruit extracts, by differential pulse voltammetry, (electrochemical index‐EI), integrated peak area, and chronoamperometry, was evaluated. In the lyophilized fruit extracts, and the catechin standard, the free radical scavenger efficient concentration (EC50), using DPPH. assay, was determined.