Antioxidant Activity, Total Phenolic and Flavonoid Contents of Petroselinum crispum Mill.

Background: Petroselinum crispum is a common vegetable or spice in Egypt and worldwide. It possess many pharmacological and medicinal properties. Aims: In the current research, the total phenolic and flavonoid contents as well as the antioxidant activities of P. crispum methanolic extract and its fractions were evaluated. Methodology: The total phenolic content was estimated by Folin-Ciocalteu method and total flavonoid content was tested by aluminum chloride assay. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by 1, 1diphenyl-2picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH) assay, 2, 2ʹ-azinobis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6sulphonic acid) assay (ABTS), and total antioxidant capacity assay. Results: The ethyl acetate fraction derived from the methanolic extract exhibited the highest total phenolic content (121.95±2.15, mg GAE/ g extract) and total flavonoids content (106.45±2.18 mg rutin equivalent / g extract). Furthermore, the ethyl acetate fraction demonstrated the more potent Original Research Article El-Sayed et al.; JALSI, 19(2): 1-7, 2018; Article no.JALSI.45113 2 DPPH activity (Sc50= 44.51±2.06 μg/ml), ABTS activity (69.82±3.07 mmTrolox ® eq. / 10 g extract) and total antioxidant capacity (166.83±1.96 mg of ascorbic acid eq. / g extract). Conclusion: The results of the current study showed that P. crispum contains an important amount of phenolic compounds and higher antioxidant activities, which serve as a good source of food ingredients and dietary supplements.