Antioxidant Activity, Phenolic and Flavonoid Contents of Ephedra Alata in Southeast Algeria

Abstract

     This study reported on the plant Ephedra alata known for its use in traditional medicine in Algeria, The work aimed to determine the antioxidant activity, phenol, and flavonoid contents of their Ethyl acetate extract and butanol extract. 

  Antioxidant activity was determined by the DPPH method, The essay of total phenols and flavonoid content were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, and the Aluminum chloride colorimetric method respectively.

Obtained results show that the highest flavonoids and phenol contents were noted in Ethyl acetate extract.

    the Ethyl acetate extract ( 46.66 ± 3.064 mg GAE/g extract) contains more phenolic compound compared to the Butanol extract (19.62 ± 0.244 mg GAE/g extract ).

Additionally, concerning total flavonoid content Ethyl acetate extract (23.3 ± 00.504 mg QE/g extract). Meanwhile, Butanol extract (10.39 ± 0.193 mg QE/g extract). 

    The antioxidant activities are expressed as IC50 values. the Ethyl acetate extract showed an antioxidant activity capacity of 0.228 mg/ml. the Butanol extract had the lowest antioxidant capacity 0.581 mg/ml.

        In this study, In general; the high content of antioxidant capacity indicated that they may impart health and nutritional benefit when involved in the food industry as a natural antioxidant.