Total polyphenol, tannin and flavonoid contents of <i>Combretum micranthum</i> leaves harvested in three regions of Senegal: Diass, Sandiara and Essyl.

Abstract

Combretum micranthum G. Don is a highly consumed plant in Senegal. Leaves collected at three sites in Senegal (Sandiara, Essyl and Diass) were compared for total polyphenols, tannins and flavonoids. The harvest periods selected are the rainy season period and the after rainy season. The contents of total polyphenols and tannins were determined by the reagent of Folin and Denis. Flavonoids are evaluated by a method using AlCl3 . The results show that flavonoid contents, expressed as vitexine equivalent per 100 g of dry matter, during the rainy season and post-rainy season are respectively: Sandiara 0.63 ± 0.45 and 0.43 ± 0.006; Essyl 0.31 ± 0.021 and 0.31 ± 0.06; Diass 0.69 ± 0.07 and 0.63 ± 0.005. The total polyphenol content expressed as tannic acid equivalent per 100 g of solids: Sandiara 8.5 ± 1.31 and 10.44 ± 2.19; Essyl 10.53 ± 4.6 and 17.17 ± 0.73; Diass 13.57 ± 1.7 and 16.37 ± 0.69; those of the tannins respectively: Sandiara 3.4 ± 1.23 and 5.1 ± 2.08; Essyl 4.63 ± 1.6 and 9.52 ± 0.02; Diass 8.51 ± 1.25 and 9.1 ± 0.47. These results show that leaves harvested in the post-rain season are richer in total polyphenols and tannins than those harvested during the rainy season; as far as flavonoids are concerned the differences are less noticeable.

Keywords: Combretum micranthum, tannins, flavonoids, total polyphenols