Abstract
The main aim of this study was to establish the chemical composition, and phenolic compounds, as well as to investigate in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of carob grown in Tunisia. Carob pulp meal contained high levels of carbohydrates (44.18%) primarily consisting of 37.05% sucrose, 7.45% fructose, and 2.67% glucose along with appreciable amounts of protein (6.48%), fiber (3.11%), and low-fat content (1.32%). Carob pulp is considered a rich source of Ca (2646.4 mg/kg DW), Mg (504.3 mg/kg), and also incorporates minor amounts of Fe (10.1 mg/kg), and Cu (< 2.5 mg/kg). Carob pulp ethanolic extract contained a mean value of 30.84 mg GAE/g DE of total polyphenols, 1.47 mg QE/g DE of flavonoids, and 1.12 mg CE/g DE of condensed tannins. Moreover, it had an important antioxidant activity: ABTS (70.3ug/mL), DPPH (114.4ug/mL), FRAP (217.23 µmol FeSO4/g DE). The analysis of HPLC of ethanolic extract of carob pulp identified six organic compounds. Isorhamnetin (5.67 mg/g DE) and quercetin (3.21 mg/g DE) recorded the highest values. The antimicrobial activity was revealed on five microorganisms. Ethanolic extract showed moderate antibacterial and antifungal activities with diameters inhibition zones ranging from 6 to 25 mm.
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The authors are grateful to Mm. Fatan KACHOURI and Mr. Majdi HAMMAMI for their help in carraying out this work.
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Khelouf, I., Jabri Karoui, I. & Abderrabba, M. Chemical composition, in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of carob pulp (Ceratonia siliqua L.) from Tunisia. Chem. Pap. 77, 6125–6134 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11696-023-02926-w
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11696-023-02926-w