Fatty acid composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Adonis wolgensis L. extract

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to analyze the fatty acid content, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities of hydro-methanolic extract of <em>Adonis wolgensis</em> L. (<em>A. wolgensis</em> L.) growing wild in north of Iran. <br/>Materials and Methods: Oils of <em>A. wolgensis</em> L. was obtained by means of Soxhlet apparatus from leaves and stems. Methyl esters were derived from the oily mixtures by <em>trans</em>-esterification process and were analyzed by GC/FID and GC/MS systems. Phenolic compounds extraction was done with aqueous methanol (90%). This extract was investigated for antioxidant activity using DPPH radical scavenging and reducing power methods and was also tested against a panel of microorganisms. <br/>Results: Linolenic acid (45.83%) and oleic acid (47.54%) were the most abundant fatty acids in leaves and stems, respectively. Hydro-methanolic extract with the high amount of total phenolics (9.20 ±0.011 mg GAE per dry matter) was the potent antioxidant in the assays. Results obtained from measurements of MIC for extract, indicated that <em>E. coli</em>, <em>S. aureus</em>, and <em>S. enteritidis</em> were the most sensitive microorganisms tested, but no activity was observed against Gram-positive microorganism (<em>B. subtilis</em>). <br/>Conclusion: The results obtained from the present study indicated that the oil of <em>A. wolgensis</em> leaves and stems contained a high source of poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). These results also showed that hydro-methanolic extract of this plant contained significant antioxidant and antibacterial activities. <br/>