Evaluation of secondary metabolites followed by antioxidant dosage of Flacourtia jangomas fruits from Congo

Abstract

The study carried out on the fruits of Flacourtia jangomas (Lour.) Räuschel enabled us to chemically evaluate the major families of secondary metabolites, followed by an assay of their antioxidant potential. The methodology adopted in this study consisted of chemical screening and TLC to identify the major families of secondary metabolites, followed by determination of total polyphenols and flavonoids, and evaluation of free radical scavenging activity. Results showed that F. jangomas fruits contain tannins, leucoanthocyanins, free flavonoids and reducing compounds. Thin-layer chromatography revealed the presence of polyphenols and flavonoids, where quantitative analyses yielded on the one hand: 1111.164; 327.338 and 704.477 mg EAG/g DM of total polyphenols on aqueous, hydroalcoholic and alcoholic extracts respectively; and on the other hand, 32.57; 26.32 and 52.79 mg ECt/g DM of total flavonoids on aqueous, hydroalcoholic and alcoholic extracts respectively. Evaluation of antioxidant potential revealed strong antiradical activity, with inhibitory concentrations of 13.66 and 19.69 mg/mL in alcoholic and hydroalcoholic extracts.