Abstract:Eucalyptus leaf extract is a natural food additive which is included as one of the antioxidant in the list of existing food additives. Taking this into consideration, we compared the phytochemistry of fruits of Eucalyptus globulus to that of its leaves, by measuring the phenolic contents and the antioxidant effect of their crude acetonic extracts and their chromatographic fractions. Fraction extracts (Fa, Fb and Fc) were obtained by Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography using ethanol, methanol and acetone as elution solvents. Compared to extract of the leaves, crude extract of fruits contain the highest level of total phenolics and tannins, and exhibited the highest antioxidant effect. Crude extract of fruits has showed the best antioxidant activity compared to its fractions, but fractions (Fb and Fc) of leaves were most active than their crude extract. A positive and moderate correlation was found between phenolic contents and the antioxidant activity of both organs. This study demonstrates that the antioxidant power of crude extract of E. globulus fruits is higher than that of its leaves which are considered as a natural food additive. So, their use as preservative in food industry is of immense significance in view of the toxicological implications of the indiscriminate use of synthetic antioxidant.Key words: Eucalyptus globulus; natural food additive, phenolic compounds; chromatographic fractions; antioxidant activity.
1.IntroductionNowadays there is a significant consumer demand for minimally processed foods and free from synthetic chemical preservatives with the perception of being ''natural". As a result the food industry is facing great challenges to produce naturally occurring food antimicrobials and antioxidants to reduce the use of synthetic chemical preservatives and still produce safe foods that are also regarded as healthy. Also, there are increasing trends to use herbal life style and dietary choices for human welfare and to improve the productivity and health of farm animals these natural products can help the whole body and improve the immunological status (Mahmoodi et al., 2011). In the other hand, Western society appears to be experiencing a trend of 'green' consumerism, desiring fewer synthetic food additives
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SDRP Journal of Chemical Engineering & Bioanalytical ChemistryLila Boulekbache-Makhlouf Eucalyptus globulus is native to Australia, it is represented by around 700 species is a genus of tall, evergreen and magnificent trees cultivated world over for its oil, gum, pulp, timber, medicine and aesthetic value (Batish et al., 2008). E. globulus is widely cultivated in subtropical and Mediterranean regions and was introduced in Algeria in 1854 by Ramel (BoulekbacheMakhlouf et al., 2010). There are 30000 ha plantations in 1990 and 39000 ha in 1995 (Mahmoudi, 1988). Its secondary metabolites are now being recognised as potential renewable natural resources for human health care The objective of the present work is to compare the phenolic composition and the antioxidant activ...