Quantitative study of root the plant (Anethum graveolens) and evaluation of their antioxidant activity

Abstract

The present work had two objectives: firstly, to determine the dosage of total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, condensed tannins and antioxidant activity content in the plant extracted successively by solvents of increasing polarity (hexane, dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate and methanol using a Soxhlet extractor and by maceration. Secondly, determine whether the polarity of the solvents and the extraction method have an impact on these properties. Our results revealed that hexane extracts of roots of Anethum graveolens are rich in total phenols (107 Gallic acid equivalent / 1g dry weight), ethyl acetate extracts rich in total flavonoids 52,269in mg of quercetin equivalent / g of dry weight). Also the highest content of condensed tannins observed in methanol extracts (3,4 in mg of catechin equivalent / 1 g dry weight). The extracts showed a slight antioxidant activity with the two methods. In turn, the results indicated that the antioxidant activity of the polar solvents were important for the methanol extract. The extracts tested in this study were found to be moderate in antioxidant capacity.