Phytochemical screening and Antioxidant activity of Opuntia ficus-indica seeds from Algeria

Abstract

Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. is the Cactaceae plant with the greatest economic relevance in the world. The biologically active compounds isolated from plants are known to be efficient as antibacterial and antioxidants. The aim of this study was to determine the polyphenolic, profile and characterize the antioxidant capacity of seeds of Algerian prickly pear cultivar. The determination of total phenolic, flavonoid and tannin contents of Opuntia ficus-indica seeds were carried out by the Folin-Ciocalteu, the aluminum trichloride and the polyvinyl polypyrrolidine spectrometric methods. Antioxidant activities of seeds extract were assessed using free radical scavenging assay DPPH, Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Potential FRAP and β -Carotene bleaching assay. The present study shows that seeds are rich in total phenolic and flavonoids contents 38.99±0.10 mg EAG/g DW and 31.58±2.00 mg CE/g DW, respectively. The content of total tannins was estimated at 2.8±0.01 mg CE/g DW. The tannins extract showed the most important inhibition of DPPH radical activity (IC 50 = 10±0.008 µg/mL) higher even compared with standard antioxidants ascorbic acid and Trolox. Also a stronger β -Carotene bleaching inhibition capacity (IC 50 = 0.46±0.04 mg/mL) is observed. In this context, the results presented deduce that these seeds are a promising source of phenolic compounds. Biological studies are needed to elucidate and conclude the effectiveness of these plants, which can be a challenge for new food and cosmetic products.