Carotenoids, flavonoids, total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of two creeping Cotoneaster species fruits extracts

Abstract

Cotoneaster horizontalis Decne. and Cotoneaster microphyllus Wall. ex Lindl. species are two creeping bushes, commonly used as ornamental plants in gardens and parks. The aim of this paper was to assess the concentrations of some classes of bioactive compounds classes, carotenoids, flavonoids and total phenolic compounds, in fresh fruits of these species. Carotenoids and flavonoids were determined through acetone and methanol extraction followed by spectrophotometry. For total phenolics, methanol extraction and a spectrophotometric Folin-Ciocâlteu method was used. The total antioxidant capacity was quantified through photochemiluminescence method by comparison with the standard substance used for calibration, Trolox® as tocopherol analogue (ACL procedure) using Photochem apparatus, Analytik Jena AG, Germany. Average values found in Cotoneaster horizontalis and Cotoneaster microphyllus fruit tissue were 380.63 mg/kg, respectively 179.63 mg/kg, carotenoids; 8036.07 mg/kg, respectively 6888.06 mg/kg flavonoids; and 16342.06 mg/kg GAE, respectively 18631.35 mg/kg GAE total phenolic compounds. These values are comparable to those found in other wild and cultivated related Rosaceae, including domestic rowans. Cotoneaster microphyllus fruits emphasized an increased antioxidant activity (up to 39.69 μmol Trolox equivalent/g dry weight).