Antioxidant activity and total phenolic compounds of myrtle extracts

The total phenolic content, flavonoid content and antioxidant activity of methanol, ethanol, water and ethyl acetate extracts of the leaves and berries of myrtle (Myrtus communis) were measured. Total phenolic content was assessed by the Folin-Ciocalteau assay, total flavonoid content was assessed by a colorimetric method using rutin as standard flavonoid, whereas antioxidant activity was assessed by measuring the ability of the extracts to scavenge the 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS(+)) radical. The results pointed to the significant antioxidant activities of the methanol and water extracts, the overall strength being in the order of methanol>water>ethanol>ethyl acetate in both, leaf and berry extracts. In all cases, the extracts obtained from leaves showed higher antioxidant activity and higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents than the corresponding extracts obtained from berries. The phenolic content exhibited a strong association (r(2)=0.9452) with antioxidant activity.