Phytochemical profile and antioxidant properties of leaves extracts from Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile and their allelopathic potential on terrestrial plant species

Abstract

Dichloromethane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts obtained from Posidonia oceanica (L.) leaves, were examined in order to determine their total phenolic, flavonoid, flavonol, anthocyanin and condensed tannins contents as well as their antioxidant and allelopathic activities. The qualitative phytochemical analysis of crude extracts confirmed the presence of coumarins in dichloromethane, chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts. The antioxidant activity estimated using the DPPH assay was significantly more pronounced for the ethyl acetate extract (IC₅₀ = 1.19±0.018 mg/mL) than that of the other extracts. The allelopathic effect against the seeds of Carum carvi (L.) and Foeniculum vulgare (Mill.) indicated that, depending on concentration, the extracts from the leaves of P. oceanic (L.) inhibited or stimulated at different concentrations the germination, shoot and root elongation of seedlings growth. The results of this study suggest that P. oceanica (L.) extracts could be useful as a natural source of health-promoting effects and herbicides.

KEY WORDS: Posidonia oceanic (L.), Phytochemical profile, Phenolic compounds, Antioxidant activity, Carum carvi (L.), Foeniculum vulgare (Mill)

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2020, 34(3), 437-447.

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v34i3.1