Decoction, Infusion and Ethanolic Extract of Juncus acutus Rhizome: Phytochemical Content and Antioxidant Properties

Khaoula Adouni, Tarak Mekhelfi

Abstract

In order to find out new sources of safe and inexpensive antioxidants, infusion, decoction and ethanolic extract of Juncus acutus rhizome were analysed for their antioxidant activities (AA) using ABTS, DPPH radicals cation, and ferric reducing /antioxidant power (FRAP) methods. The total phenolic (TPC), total flavonoid (TFC) and condensed tannins (CTC) contents were measured. The results indicated that the total phenolic contents ranged from 52.12 ± 0.90 to 133.72 ± 0.09 mg gallic acid equivalent/g of extract. Results showed that the ethanol extract has the highest TPC, TFC and CTC compared to other extracts. The most active extract towards the 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), the highest radical scavenging activity and reducing power was obtained in the ethanol extract. This study suggests that Juncus acutus may serve as a good source of natural antioxidants.