Comparative Cross-Species Evaluation of the Phytochemical Composition and Functional Properties of the Main Fruit and Berry Crops Leaves of the Rosaceae Family
Objective: The main objective of this work was to determine the phytochemical composition and potential of aqueous extracts of leaves of the main fruit and berry crops of the Rosaceae family.
Materials and Methods: The phytochemical compositions and antioxidant properties of the extracts were evaluated using the spectrophotometric method. The phytochemical profiles of the extracts and their capacity to protect human skin from solar radiation were estimated using UV-Vis spectroscopy.
Results: The highest total flavonoid content was observed in the leaves of Rosaceae canina (75.97 ± 3.51 mg GAE/g), and the highest total phenolic content was observed in the leaves of Aronia melanocarpa (74.86 ± 3.73 mg QE/g). The extract from the leaves of Prunus armeniaca was found to have the best sun protection properties (22.55 ± 0.43 at 1.0 g/L). The highest total antioxidant capacity, total reducing power, and hyroxyl radical-scavenging activity values were determined for extracts obtained from the leaves of R. canina (3.45 ± 0.08 mmolAA/g, 3.71 ± 0.11 mmolAA/g, and 64.86 ± 1.66 %, respectively). The highest DPPH and nitric oxide-radical scavenging activity values were determined for the extracts of P. armeniaca (88.11 ± 1.26 and 85.19 ± 1.24 %, respectively), and the highest hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity values were determined for Prunus domestica (87.73 ± 1.38 %). The correlations highlighted the crucial role of phenolic compounds in exhibiting antioxidant properties and the similarity of their action mechanisms.
Conclusion: The main fruit and berry crops of the Rosaceae family offer significant potential for the development of pharmaceuticals with antioxidant and sun protection properties to protect human health.