Characterising Phenolic Compounds and Determining Antioxidant Properties of Andricus Curtisii Gall Extracts

Abstract

Galls from Quercus L. have been used in traditional medicine for various ailments in both Western and Eastern cultures. Secondary metabolites are synthesized by an organism for specific purposes and fulfill various crucial functions within the organism. Secondary metabolites serve multiple roles, including shielding against environmental stressors such as drought, salinity, and ultraviolet radiation, as well as providing defense against predators such as insects, reptiles, and microorganisms. In this study, extracts of Andricus curtisii galls were obtained using various solvents. The potential antioxidant effects of these extracts were evaluated by seven various assays: β-carotene-linoleic acid assay, phosphomolybdenum assay, DPPH and ABTS, CUPRAC and FRAP assays, and metal chelating activity, with the aim of complementing each other. The overall phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin levels within the extracts were assessed through the utilization of standard curves for quantification. In addition, the phenolic components were characterised by HPLC. The findings indicate that the gall extracts derived from A. curtisii demonstrate significant promise as a reservoir of pharmaceutical agents owing to their exceptional antioxidant capabilities and rich array of bioactive compounds. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024.