POLYPHENOLIC COMPOUNDS OF NUTRACEUTICAL TREES AND THE VARIABILITY OF THEIR BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY MEASURED BY TWO METHODS

Abstract

The aim was to determine the differences and variability in the quantity of polyphenolic compounds (PCom) and their biological activity (BA) amongst and within three tannin-rich tree species namely, Acacia pennatula, Lysiloma latisiliquum and Piscidia piscipula. Acacia pennatula had the highest levels of total phenols (TP) (P<0.001) and BA measured with two techniques (P<0.01). Total phenols showed strong association with BA measurements. There was significant variability in PCom and BA amongst trees of the same species as well as between species. Future studies are required to understand the origin of these variations better before implementing the use of these browse trees as nutraceuticals under farm conditions.