Algerian Bunium incrassatum Seeds: Effects of Extraction Solvent Polarity on Phenolic Profile and Antioxidant Activity

Abstract

Bunium incrassatum, commonly called ‘Talghouda’, is one of the most important plant species in the traditional Algerian pharmacopoeia, used for medicinal and culinary purposes. Despite its benefits, it still remains a scientifically neglected species, particularly in terms of its phenolic profile. The current study sought to evaluate the influence of the variation in solvents’ polarities on the phenolic profile of B.incrassatum seeds by conventional spectrophotometric techniques and also by high-performance liquid chromatography, as well as their effects on the antioxidant activity of extracts using DPPH and β-carotene bleaching assays. Methanol extract showed the highest DPPH scavenging ability and also the highest inhibitory potential against the bleaching of β-carotene (IC 50=0.15±0.02 and 0.41±0.03 mg/mL, respectively). Thirteen phenolic compounds were identified, a flavanol (catechin), two flavonols (kaempferol, quercetin), two flavanones (hesperetin, naringenin) and eight phenolic acids: caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, ellagic acid, ferulic acid, gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, sinapic acid, and syringic acid. These results support the few previous studies showing that Bunium incrassatum, as an endemic species, is a valuable source of bioactive compounds that requires further investigations.