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Phenolic Content, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Two Fruit Varieties of A lgerian F icus carica L
Author(s) -
Debib A.,
TirTouil A.,
Mothana R.A.,
Meddah B.,
Sonnet P.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of food biochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.507
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1745-4514
pISSN - 0145-8884
DOI - 10.1111/jfbc.12039
Subject(s) - carica , antimicrobial , ficus , food science , traditional medicine , tannin , antioxidant , chemistry , polyphenol , biology , botany , biochemistry , medicine , organic chemistry
The present study deals with the evaluation of the in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of four different extracts of two varieties ( A zendjar and T aamriout) of dried figs ( F icus carica L .) by using the 2,2‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl radical and agar diffusion methods and minimum inhibitory concentration ( MIC )‐determination. Moreover, the extracts were investigated for their polyphenolic, flavonoidal and tannin content by using the F olin– C iocalteu assay, the aluminium trichloride method and precipitation with casein, respectively. The results showed that the highest antioxidant capacity was exhibited by the methanol extract of A zendjar variety with IC 50 of 0.080 mg/mL. All extracts possessed more or less antimicrobial activity against the tested G ram‐positive and G ram‐negative bacteria. C andida albicans was the most susceptible microorganism to all extracts. Pronounced antimicrobial activity was observed by the methanolic extract of Taamriout variety ( MIC values 32–128 μg/mL). Moreover, the results showed that the phenolic compounds and flavonoids were abundant in acetone and aqueous extracts. Practical Applications Dried Fig ( F icus carica L .) fruit is an important part of traditional M editerranean A lgerian diet since antiquity. Obtained results revealed great antioxidant and antimicrobial activities as well as high content of phenolic compounds of two varieties growing in A lgeria namely A zendjar and T aamriout varieties. This study highlights the importance of A lgerian dried figs as a source of antioxidants and antimicrobial agents to be used in traditional medicine to treat or protect humans against infections as well as other chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and different inflammations. Therefore, the F . carica extracts have the potential to be developed into dietary supplements and nutraceuticals.