Comparison and correlation of phytochemical content with antioxidant potential of different parts of Argan tree, Argania spinosa L.

Abstract

The Argan tree or Argania spinosa L. is a plant in the Sapotaceae family. It is an endemic tree from Morocco. This study aims to evaluate the phytochemical and antiradical potential of different parts of Argan for the further valorization of this organic material. Seeds, kernels, pulps, leaves, and branches were targeted for this purpose and were soxhlet extracted with methanol. Amongst the different parts, leaves displayed the greatest DPPH radical scavenging ability with an IC50 value (4.37 µg mL-1) close to that of ascorbic acid (1.97 µg mL-1). This observation was true for the ABTS assay as well. Accordingly, leaf extract was also the highest in polyphenols content (TPC) content, while seeds recorded the lowest value. The results were not so different for the flavonoid content, where leaf extract recorded the highest content. The leaves and branch of Agran seem to be the richest in antioxidant agents, as shown by the gathered data and results. Hence, it could be used as an important source of natural antioxidants.