Qualitative and Quantitative Study of the Bioactive Compounds in Arbutus Unedo L. from the Ait Ammart Area in Northern Morocco

Abstract

The qualitative and quantitative analysis aims to identify secondary metabolites, including phenolic compounds, alkaloids, terpenes, and other substances commonly referred to as phytochemicals. Qualitative phytochemical screening relies on color and precipitation tests that indicate the presence or absence of a metabolite, while quantitative analysis accounts for the quantity or concentration of the bioactive compounds contained within the extracts. During the quantitative determination of the total content of phenolics and flavonoids present in the extracts, we used the conventional soxhlet extraction (SE) method with solvents of different polarities. The purpose of this study is to ascertain the impact of solvents with varying polarity on both the extraction yield and phytochemical composition of A. unedo leaves. The findings indicate that yield and polyphenol content vary from one extract to another. Thus, the ethanol extract (EEAU) showed the highest percentage extraction yield (15.23%) and the highest total phenolic content (TPC) with 122.82 ± 5.42 mg GAE/gext. In contrast, the dichloromethane extract (EDAU) had the lowest extraction yield (1.76%), while the methanol extract (EMAU) showed the highest total flavonoid content (TFC) with 45.8 ± 1.3 mg QE/gext. Generally, these data provide information into the phytochemical content of various extracts of the plant growing in the Ait Ammart region. These extracts contain several bioactive substances that will be useful in the formulation of pharmaceutical products for a variety of diseases and may have applications in the food industry.