Abstract
SUMMARYResearch backgroundMastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus L.) of the Anacardiaceae family is an evergreen shrub from Mediterranean countries where it is used in traditional medicine. Analysis of P. lentiscus leaf, stem, fruit and root extracts showed high concentrations of principal groups of secondary metabolites (flavonoids, phenolic acids and tannins), suggesting the plant possesses great biological potential. Therefore, the aim of this research is to evaluate the impact of environmental parameters and the extraction solvent type on the concentration of phenols in mastic tree leaf extracts grown at four different locations along the Adriatic coast (Barbariga, Lun, Hvar and Vela Luka) during three phenological stages (early flowering, early fruiting and late fruiting).Experimental approachSince mastic tree plant has phenolic compounds with different structures and chemical properties, ethanolic and methanolic leaf extracts were analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with UV/Vis PDA detector. Phenolic compounds were identified by comparing the retention times and spectral data with those of standards at 280 and 340 nm.Results and conclusionsIn all samples, phenolic acids and flavonol glycosides were quantified, while catechin was quantified only in methanolic extracts. The 5-O-galloylquinic acid was determined as a predominant phenolic compound in all samples followed by monogalloyl glucose, 3,5-di-O-galloylquinic acid, 3,4,5-tri-O-galloylquinic acid and gallic acid, respectively. Myricetin-3-O-rhamnoside was found to be the predominant flavonol glycoside followed by myricetin-3-O-glucoside, myricetin-3-O-glucuronide, quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside and derivative of flavonol glycoside. The mass concentration of these compounds significantly varied during different phenological stages, at different growing locations and used extraction solvents. The highest phenolic mass concentration was determined in the samples harvested at Hvar growing location and extracted in 80% methanol. The highest total phenolic acid mass concentration was obtained in the samples harvested during the flowering phenological stage and the highest total flavonoid mass concentration in the samples harvested during the early fruiting stage.Novelty and scientific contributionThe obtained data provide a better understanding of the P. lentiscus species phenolic concentration, which can lead to further investigations regarding the valorisation of mastic tree leaves as pharmaceutical products or as food products with added value.
Highlights
Mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus L.) is an evergreen shrub from Anacardiaceae family [1] widely spread throughout the Mediterranean countries, including Republic of Croatia, where it grows along the Adriatic coast and on the islands
The highest total phenolic acid mass concentration was obtained in the samples harvested during the flowering phenological stage and the highest total flavonoid mass concentration in the samples harvested during the early fruiting stage
Phenolic compounds are present in many plant species including Pistacia lentiscus leaves, which are an abundant source of flavonoids, phenolic acids and their derivatives [7]
Summary
Mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus L.) is an evergreen shrub from Anacardiaceae family [1] widely spread throughout the Mediterranean countries, including Republic of Croatia, where it grows along the Adriatic coast and on the islands. The mastic tree plant (roots, leaves, branches and berries) is often applied in traditional medicine for treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, eczema and throat infections [2,3,4] due to strong antioxidant [5], anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects [6,7]. The phytochemical analysis of leaf, stem, fruit and root extracts of P. lentiscus showed the presence of principal groups of secondary metabolites (flavonoids, phenolic acids and tannins) [10]. Mastic tree leaves had the highest phenolic content, with the most abundant compounds being flavonoids, myricetin glycoside, catechin, β-glucogallin, quercitrin-O-gallate and gallic and 5-O-galloylquinic acids [7]
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