Investigation of essential oil and water-soluble extract obtained by steam distillation from Acacia mearnsii flowers

This work aimed to obtain and investigate the properties and composition of extracts from flowers of Acacia mearnsii; this tree is widely cultivated because the bark is used as a raw material for various industry segments, but the flowers are not yet explored. The essential oil was evaluated by GC/FID, GC/MS, and GC/O. The antioxidant activity (DPPH and phosphomolybdenum methods) and chemical composition were investigated for a water-soluble extract, a by-product of the extraction process. 85.8% of the compounds present in the essential oil were identified, 8-heptadecene being the major compound. The main scents detected by the olfactory analysis were roast nutty, coffee, sweet, and floral. The water-soluble extract showed antioxidant activity that may be related to phenolic compounds. Results obtained from the LC-qTOF/MS analysis have shown that 25 likely flavonoids, such as naringenin, myricetin, quercetin, and rutin are present in the extract.

Automated summary

This study aimed to obtain and investigate the properties and composition of extracts from Acacia mearnsii flowers. The major compounds and scents in the essential oil were identified, and potential antioxidant activity and flavonoid composition were detected in the water-soluble extract.