Lucas Vitor Pereira da Costa Silva, Carolina da Fonseca Carreiro, Moniquy Farias Alves, Leonor Alves de Oliveira da Silva
Objective – The objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant potential, the phytochemical qualitative profile and quantify total phenols and flavonoids in the crude ethanolic extract (CEE) of Z. elegans (Jacq) flowers. Methods – Z. elegans flowers were collected at the location 7°08’11.0’’S 34°50’44.1’’W at a suitable time and under appropriate weather conditions, then sanitized, dehydrated in a microwave oven, and ground. The extract was obtained by maceration and extraction of dehydrated flowers in 95% ethanol for 72 hours, followed by filtration and solvent evaporation using a rotary evaporator. The quantification of total phenols and flavonoids was performed using the Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride methods, respectively, with results expressed as equivalents of gallic acid (total phenols) and quercetin (flavonoids) per gram. The antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging methods. After data analysis, IC50 values (the extract concentration required to scavenge 50% of the stable free radical) were expressed in mg/mL for each radical. Results – The levels of total phenols and flavonoids were found to be 155.407 ± 0.28 mg Eq gallic acid/g of extract and 101.224 ± 1.949 mg Eq quercetin/g of extract, respectively. Regarding antioxidant potential, the IC50 values were 0.52 mg/mL (DPPH) and 1.31 mg/mL (ABTS), respectively. Conclusion – Thus, it is concluded that the CEE of Zinnia elegans (Jacq) is a potential source of antioxidants, which may contribute to the prevention of oxidative stress and the treatment of its consequences; however, further studies are needed.
