Effect of solvents on variation of Polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity of Tunisian Myrtus communis L leaves and berries extracts

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the influence of solvent type (water, ethanol, and methanol) on the total polyphenolic content (TPC), flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity of Myrtus communis L. leaves and mature berries collected from Tunisia. The highest extract yield was obtained from ethanolic leaf extracts (15.83 g DE/100 g DW). Berry extracts were found to be richer in polyphenols and flavonoids. The highest TPC (34.82 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram dry extract, mg GAE/g DE) and TFC (19.07 mg quercetin equivalent per gram dry extract, mg QE/g DE) were recorded in the ethanolic and methanolic berry extracts, respectively. All the extracts demonstrated strong antioxidant activity, with the ethanolic berry extracts showing the highest activity, reflected by an IC50 value of 3.51 μg/mL. Overall, the results emphasize that myrtle berries, followed by leaves, are a rich and valuable source of polyphenols and antioxidants, highlighting their potential as natural additives and functional ingredients in food and beverage production, as well as in the cosmetics industry and the development of therapeutic products.