The effect of maturity and extraction solvents on bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of mulberry (morus alba) fruits and leaves

• Main Authors: Centhyea, Ruzaidi Azli Mohd Mokhtar, Muhamad Shirwan Abdullah Sani, Nor Qhairul Izzreen Mohd Noor
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English; English
• Published: 2022
• Subjects: TX1-1110 Home economics; TX341-641 Nutrition. Foods and food supply
• Online Access: https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/35134/2/FULL%20TEXT.pdf; https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/35134/5/ABSTRACT.pdf; https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/35134/; https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/27/8/2406
• Institution: Universiti Malaysia Sabah

Cultivation location, maturity levels, and extraction solvents could affect the bioactive compounds and biological activities of mulberry (Morus alba Linnaeus). The lack of study on Malaysia-grown mulberry causes its underutilization. This study investigated the total bioactive compounds content and the antioxidant activity of Sabah-grown mulberry fruits and leaves. Samples were analyzed at two different maturity stages (fruits: red mature and black fully ripe; leaves: mature and young) and extracted using 70% (v/v) methanol, 60% (v/v) ethanol and 65% (v/v) acetone. The analyses included the total content of phenolic, flavonoid, and anthocyanin, UHPLC-DAD quantification of chlorogenic acid and rutin, Free Radical Scavenging 2.2-Dyphenyl-1-Pikrilhidrazil (DPPH), Radical Cation 2,2’-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and Ferric Reduction Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assays. Results showed that mulberry fruits demonstrated maturity-dependent increment (except UHPLC-DAD quantification), while the leaves revealed maturity-dependent reduction. Principal component analysis (PCA) displayed 65% (v/v) acetone black fully ripe fruits in 65% (v/v) acetone as the best phenolics and antioxidant sources. However, the 60% (v/v) ethanol black fully ripe fruits contained 20.08%–68.43% higher total anthocyanins. Meanwhile, the 65% (v/v) acetone and 70% (v/v) methanol red mature fruits were higher in chlorogenic acid (27.53%–47.12%) and rutin (31.42%–35.92%) than other fruit extracts, respectively. For leaves, young leaves in 65% (v/v) acetone young leaves were the best phenolics and antioxidant sources. However, the 60% (v/v) ethanol young leaves possessed greater chlorogenic acid (19.56%–74.11%) than other leaf extracts. Overall, Malaysia-grown mulberry is rich in phenolics and antioxidants, suggesting its potential application in food and pharmaceutical products.