The Phenolic Content, Antioxidative Properties and Extractable Substances in Silver Fir (Abies alba Mill.) Branches...

Area of Science:

• Botany
• Phytochemistry
• Natural Product Chemistry

Background:

• Silver fir (Abies alba) is a valuable Central European conifer.
• Its branch extract, rich in antioxidative phenols, is used as a food supplement.
• Industrial production of this extract aims for therapeutic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To optimize silver fir branch extract production.
• To investigate the impact of branch part (distance from trunk) on extract properties.
• To analyze antioxidant activity, phenol, and lignan content.

Main Methods:

• Antioxidant activity assessed using ABTS and DPPH assays.
• Total phenol content determined by Folin-Ciocalteu assay.
• Lignan content analyzed via High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).

Main Results:

• Antioxidative activity, phenol, and extractable content decreased distally along the branch.
• ABTS and DPPH activities decreased by 51% and 52%, respectively.
• Total phenol content decreased by 35-40%, lignan content by 91%, and extractable matter by 40%.

Conclusions:

• Proximal (short) parts of silver fir branches yield extracts with higher lignan and phenol content.
• Optimizing extract production by selecting specific branch sections can improve final product quality.
• This research supports the development of enhanced plant-based supplements and pharmaceuticals.