Phytochemical Composition and Antioxydant Capacity of Abelmoschus esculentus l. Fresh Immature Fruits

Abstract

This work aims to study the intervariation of chemical composition and antioxidant capacity of fresh immature fruits of 12 varieties of Abelmoschus esculentus. The phytochemical screening of fresh immature fruits powder of A. esculentus was realised using the experimental methodology of Houghton. Total phenolic content was determined by using the Folin-Ciocalteu method while total flavonoids and condensed tannins content were estimated using the AlCl3 method and vanillin method respectively. The antioxidant capacities in the forms of DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) was evaluated by spectrophotometric method. The phytochemical screening made upon the powder of fresh immature fruits of A. esculentus revealed the presence of catechin tannins, mucilages, flavonoids, leuco-anthocyanins, reducing compounds, sterols and terpens. The results showed also that total phenolic compounds content, flavonoids and condensed tannins values were higher in V16 extract: 25.514 ± 0.005 mg GAE/100mg of dry matter, 63.786 ± 0.013 mg QE/g of dry matter and 12.242 ± 0.036 mg CE/g of dry matter. At 1 mg/mL, the inhibition percentage of DPPH radical scavenging activity ranged from 60.40 to 92.71%. The variety V16 had the highest DPPH scavenging capacity. Hence, the variety V16 represents a potential source of phenolic compounds and antioxidants and could be used in pharmaceutical and food preparations