Volume 77, 23 December 2015, Pages 499–507
Highlights
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- The present study reports the bioactive compounds from four Lamiaceae family plants: Agastache foeniculum, Lavandula angustifolia, Melissa officinalis and Nepeta cataria in two different stages of development and harvested in two distinctive periods of the day.
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- Methanol extracts were analyzed for total polyphenolic and flavone/flavonol content using UV–vis spectrometry.
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- Chromatographic profile of phenolic acids and flavonoids were determined using high performance liquid chromatography PDA detection.
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- Antioxidant activity was evaluated using two different spectrophotometric methods.
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- Optimum period of harvesting for maximum amount of bioactive compounds was determined.
Abstract
The
continuous interest in medicinal plants has brought about todays modern
processing and usage of different plants. Extracts obtained from the
aerial parts of Agastache foeniculum, Lavandula angustifolia, Melissa officinalis and Nepeta cataria
were investigated for their antioxidant activity and polyphenolic
content. The extracts were prepared from plants harvested in two
phenological phases of development (beginning of blooming and full
bloom) and in two distinctive time points (11 a.m. and 4 p.m.).
Different amounts of total phenolic content were measured
(12.44–76.43 mgGAE/g dry plant) and correlated with botanical origin,
phenophase and harvesting hour. Flavone/flavonol content presented
higher amounts than total polyphenol content in A. foeniculum
extracts (36.87 mgQE/g compared to 27.19 mgGAE/g). All plants exhibit
high antioxidant activity (73.14–81.74% inhibition and 0.265–0.554 mM
Trolox equivalents), measured with DPPH and FRAP method. Fingerprint of
biologically active compounds highlights the potential of using these
plants as value-added products, because of their content in phenolic
acids and flavonoids with antioxidant activity. The quantity and profile
of polyphenols was influenced by harvesting period and hour. The best
moment for harvesting these plants in order to have maximum amount of
bioactive compounds, was established to be in the first decade of June
(beginning of blooming) and in the afternoon.
Graphical abstract
Keywords
- Agastache foeniculum;
- Lavandula angustifolia;
- Melissa officinalis;
- Nepeta cataria;
- Bioactive compounds;
- Antioxidant activity;
- Harvest period
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
