Antioxidant activity and total phenolic, flavonoid and flavonol contents of the bark extracts of Acacia ataxacantha

Abstract

Acacia ataxacantha is a medicinal plant used in south Benin for various diseases. The current investigation was conducted to estimate the Total Polyphenols Compounds (TPC), flavonoids and flavonols contents and to evaluate antioxidant capacities in different extracts from A. ataxacantha barks. Total phenolic content was determined by using the Folin-Ciocalteu method while total flavonoid and flavonol were estimated using standard procedures. The antioxidant capacities in the forms of DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) were evaluated by spectrophotometric methods. The results showed that TPC, flavonoids and flavonol values were higher in ethyl acetate extract: 74.18 mg GAE/100mg of Dry Plant, 26.65 mg QE/100mg DP and 23.14 mg QE/100mg DP. The inhibition percentage of DPPH radical scavenging activity ranged from 0.66 to 92.62%. Ethyl acetate extract had the highest FRAP capacity (1273.63 μmol AAE g-1). Hence, A. ataxacantha represents a source of potential antioxidants that could be used in pharmaceutical and food preparations.