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, 1- diphenyl-2- picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH) assay, 2, 2ʹ-azino- bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic 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 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.