Extraction, Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Phenolic Compounds from Moroccan Satureja nepeta L.

Satureja nepeta is an aromatic medicinal plant, widely used by the Moroccan population. The objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of extraction methods on total phenolic compounds (TPC) and total flavonoid compounds (TFC). The phytochemical characteristics are subsequently analyzed to determine the components constitution as well as the evaluation of antioxidant activity. The extraction optimization and the extraction of total polyphenols was carried out using three methods (decoction, infusion and hydroethanolic). The antioxidant capacity was evaluated using the DPPH free radical trapping method, reducing power assay and the ABTS radical reduction test. Polyphenols were identified by the HPLCUV method. The optimal hydro-ethanol extraction conditions defined from the experimental design are: ethanol/water, 60/40 (v/v), 15 hours, 42.5 °C TPC and TFC of the infused extract were the highest. The evaluation of the antioxidant capacity showed that the infused extract had a good antioxidant efficacy. HPLC-UV and GC-MS has been used to identify some phenolic compounds in various extracts. In conclusion, optimizing the extraction of S. nepeta seems to be an efficient and quick method to establish the best extraction conditions. Also, Satureja.

Key words: Moroccan Satureja nepeta, Antioxidant activity, Total polyphenol, Total flavonoids, Total tannins.