Evaluation of Pigments, Phenolic and Volatile Compounds, and Antioxidant Activity of a Spontaneous Population of Portulaca oleracea L. Grown in Tunisia

Abstract

Portulaca oleracea L., commonly known as purslane, is a weed with worldwide distribution and considerable medicinal uses due to its high levels of phytochemical compounds. However, until now, few studies have been conducted on the biochemical characterization of P. oleracea grown in Tunisia, a possible area of its origin as other North African countries. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the phytochemical composition and antioxidant potential of leaves and stems from a Tunisian spontaneous population of purslane. Particularly, samples were analyzed for their proximate composition, pigments, and volatiles, whereas ethanolic and aqueous extracts were evaluated for their composition in phenolic compounds and in vitro antioxidant activities. Stems showed higher content of moisture (89.9%) and anthocyanins (4.61 µg g−1 dry matter, DM), whereas leaves revealed higher chlorophyll concentrations (7.42 mg g−1 DM). Significantly higher levels of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacities (p < 0.05) were obtained in ethanolic extracts, compared with water extracts, irrespective of the analyzed plant part. A high antioxidant activity of stems was obtained, especially when extracted with ethanol. Headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses revealed six volatile classes with monoterpene hydrocarbons, oxygenated monoterpenes, and non-terpene derivatives as the highly represented compounds. Limonene (17.3–32.2%), carvone (38–46%), 2,6-dimethylcyclohexanol (2.2–6.4%), and nonanal (3.4–3.8%) were the most abundant volatiles. Based on the results of the present study, Tunisian purslane should deserve major consideration as an edible vegetable due to its richness in phytochemical compounds and, hence, for its potential health effects.

Agro-Morphological, Biochemical and Antioxidant Characterization of a Tunisian Chili Pepper Germplasm Collection

“…As expected, considering the phytochemical traits, a high correlation of TPC was detected with antioxidant activity, measured using both the DPPH and FRAP assays. This is in agreement with previous results for other crops [50,51].…”

Phytochemical screening, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity of different Portulaca oleracea L. extracts growing in Kashmir Valley

“…The plant P. oleracea L. (purslane) has been reported to have a rich chemical composition mainly flavonoid, terpenoids, alkaloid, and organic acid (Dabbou et al, 2020). Additionally, fatty acids, terpenoids, vitamins, polysaccharides, proteins, sterols, and vitamins have also been found in purslane (Petropoulos et al, 2016).…”

Decreasing the SGPT level of male wistar rats induced by gentamicin with purslane ethanol extract

“…Some studies have shown the utilization of purslane extract as antioxidant, anti-inflammation, antitumor and anti-bacteria. 23,24,25,26,27 The chemical content of common purslane ethanol extract includes alkaloid, flavonoid, terpenoid, vitamin, and mineral. The antioxidant content in purslane ethanol extract against free radical formed by reacting with the free radicals stabilizes free radicals and changes free radicals into non-reactive compounds.…”