Anatomical Characteristics, Active Chemical Constituents and Oxidative Activity of Rubus ulmifolius L. (Rosaceae) Fruits and Seeds

Abstract

This study described the structure of the fruits and seeds of Rubus ulmifolius. Sectional studies of the seed coat and pericarp revealed differences in the thickness of their constituent layers. The thickness of the layers of the exocarp, mesocarp and endocarp in this species was found to be 17.4 μm, 20.5 μm and 26.7μm, respectively. Some tissues are characterized by the presence of thin, loose parenchymal tissue containing numerous secretory ducts. The active chemical compounds were also analyzed and the species showed differences in their compound content. The results showed that R. ulmifolius contains tannins, saponins, glycosides and phenols, while flavonoids could not be detected. The oxidative activity of the fruits also proved to be high, exceeding that of vitamin C at high concentrations of 81%. The plant extract of R. ulmifolius showed DPPH inhibition values of approximately 71% and 83% for the two samples tested, compared to ascorbic acid, which showed DPPH inhibition values of approximately 75% and 80%.