Investigating Seasonal Variation in The Phytochemical and Antioxidant Capacities of Different Sphagnum Taxa

OpenAlex · İngilizce

This study investigated the phytochemical content and antioxidant activities of four Sphagnum taxa (S. centrale, S. palustre, S. teres and, S. auriculatum) collected from the Black Sea region of Turkey during two different seasons. The phytochemical groups in the methanol extracts of Sphagnum taxa were identified using qualitative screening methods. The total phenol content of these taxa was quantitatively determined using Folin-ciocalteu reagent with gallic acid equivalents as the standard their antioxidant activities were evaluated by 1,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging ability (DPPH), the CUPRAC test, and phosphomolybdenum assay. Qualitative phytochemical screening of the methanol extracts showed that phenols, tannins, and saponins were present in the extracts, whereas alkaloids and flavonoids were absent. The highest DPPH free radical scavenging activity was observed in 100 µgmL-1 S. teres methanol extract (74.47±0.001% in the first season, September 2021 and 75.37±0.002% in the second season, May 2022). The highest total antioxidant capacity was found in 100 µgmL-1 S. palustre extract (81.00±0.027% in the first season and 84.87±0.002% in the second season). The results of our experiment showed that Sphagnum taxa collected in spring had higher antioxidant activity than those collected in autumn.