Extraction, Characterization, and In Vitro Biological Activity of Polyphenols from Discarded Young Fig Fruits Based...

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Waste Valorization
• Phytochemistry
• Green Chemistry

Background:

• Discarded young fig fruits (DYFFs) represent an underutilized resource with potential phytochemical value.
• No prior research has investigated the phenolic compounds and biological activities within DYFFs.
• Understanding these components can lead to novel applications and waste reduction strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the polyphenol content and bioactivities of DYFFs.
• To compare the efficacy of different deep eutectic solvents (DESs) and 80% ethanol for polyphenol extraction.
• To identify key phenolic compounds and their correlation with antioxidant properties.

Main Methods:

• Extraction of polyphenols from DYFFs using various DESs and 80% ethanol.
• Phytochemical profiling to identify and quantify phenolic compounds.
• In vitro assays to evaluate antioxidant activities of the extracts.
• Comparative analysis of extraction efficiency and bioactivity.

Main Results:

• Over 1700 phytochemicals identified in DYFFs, with chlorogenic acid, rutin, luteolin 8-C-glucoside, and epicatechin as major polyphenols.
• Chlorogenic acid content ranged from 2720-7980 mg/kg.
• Significant correlations found between specific phenolic acids and antioxidant activity.
• Choline chloride-based DESs, particularly Choline chloride:Ethylene glycol (1:2), yielded the highest total phenol content (8.88 mg GAE/g DW).
• 80% ethanol and Choline chloride (ChCl) solvent systems exhibited the strongest antioxidant properties.
• Choline chloride-Urea (1:2) extract showed the highest inhibitory activity.

Conclusions:

• DESs, especially Choline chloride (ChCl) systems, are effective and green solvents for extracting polyphenols from DYFFs.
• DYFFs are a rich source of bioactive polyphenols with notable antioxidant potential.
• This study highlights the feasibility of valorizing agricultural waste like DYFFs into valuable compounds using sustainable extraction methods.