Chemical Characterization of Cichorium Intybus and Portulaca Oleracea Variety Grown in Egypt

Abstract

The present study was designed to determine the phytochemical constituents of Cichorium intybus and Portulaca oleracea and evaluate the antioxidant activity of their methanolic extract. It was found that Cichorium intybus and Portulaca oleracea contained total ash 6.08 and 7.12%, crude lipid 0.63 and 0.54%, crude protein 3.94 and 4.09%, crude fiber 9.0 and 8.34%, and total carbohydrates 80.33 and 79.91%, respectively. Total phenolics in the Cichorium intybus were 172.9 mg/g while total flavonoids were 139.4 mg/g. On the other hand, total phenolics and total flavonoids were 163.12 and 125.71 mg/g for Portulaca oleracea. HPLC analysis of Cichorium intybus and Portulaca oleracea showed the presence of 17 and 20 phenolic compounds, respectively. catechin, caffeic acid, and rutin acid were found in high levels in the Cichorium intybus and their amounts were 2926.598, 1268.448, and 509.948 mg/100g dw respectively. On the other hand, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid and catechin were found to be in high levels in Portulaca oleracea and their amounts, which were 300.628, 203.678, 55.685 and 38.424 mg/100g dry weight, respectively. The obtained results also showed that the methanolic extract of Egyptian Cichorium intybus has the highest antioxidant activity, this may be due to their high amount of total phenolics and flavonoids.