Abstract

We assessed the total phenols content (TPC) by Folin-Ciocalteux method, total flavonoids content (TFC), and antioxidant activity (AOA) using ABTS radical cation of Borassus aethiopum Mart ripe fruits; uniquely its pulp was considered. Fresh and dried at 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80^oC pulps were analyzed, through maceration and decoction, and distilled water (DW), aqueous acetone (DW+Aceto, DW/acetone, 30/70, v/v) and aqueous methanol (DW+Meth) prepared in the same way were used. Though 80^oC product extracted through decoction delivered the highest extracts of TPC with DW, DW+Aceto and DW+Meth, 654.434, 780.066 and 729.934 mg GAE/g respectively; we could not retain it as the best. Very likely, the sugars were caramelizing and the derived product had an intense brown color. Whereas, at 70^oC, TPCs were 447.866, 337.334 and 327.066 mg GAE/g, respectively, by decoction and in the same above solvents order. The best extract obtained with DW was statistically different from that of DW + Aceto and DW + Meth, which were not significantly different from each other, with Duncan least squares means comparison test in a confidence interval of 99%. The corresponding TFCs and AOAs were (59.34, 68.34, and 51.66 mg QE/g) and (0.4404, 0.52088, and 0.6524 µmol TE/g). The flour has a nice chocolate color. Except 60^oC, an increase of the drying temperature leaded to a rising amount of TPC. Taking each factor, the extraction mode and drying temperature were main effects for extracts (p< 0.0001). The overall regression analysis showed significant correlation coefficient between TPC and AOA, with R²=0.8394.

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