TITLE:
Phytochemical Screening, Antioxidant Activity and Safety of Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) AW Hill Apiaceae Leaves Grown in Benin
AUTHORS:
Germaine Sènandjro Gnintoungbe, Thierry C. Marc Medehouenou, Ferdinand Adounkpe, Casimir Akpovi, Frédéric Loko
KEYWORDS:
Parsley, Phytochemistry, Antioxidant Properties, Toxicity, Wistar Rat
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Applied Sciences,
Vol.13 No.1,
January
13,
2023
ABSTRACT: Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) AW Hill Apiaceae (Parsley) is a plant species commonly used for
its culinary value, but little is known about its phytochemical composition and
antioxidant properties. This study aimed to deepen knowledge of the Petroselinum crispum leaves (LPc) grown
and consumed in Benin. The phytochemical screening of the LPc powder was done according to the
method of Houghton and Raman at the Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Essential
Oils of the Institute of Applied Biomedical Sciences in Benin. The antioxidant
activity (IC50) was evaluated by the DPPH reduction test.
Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of chemical groups such as
catechin tannins, gallic tannins, flavones, saponins, mucilages, coumarins,
reducing agents and O-heterosides with reduced genins in the LPc powder. The
aqueous extract of LPc showed antioxidant activity with an IC50 =
63.66 μg/mL and was found to be less active than ascorbic acid (IC50 = 0.111 μg/mL). No acute oral toxicity was observed and the LD50 of
the aqueous extract of LPc is estimated to be greater than 5000 mg/kg in the
Wistar rat. The absence of toxicity, its antioxidant activity associated with its
richness in active ingredients makes Petroselinum crispum a promising species
suitable for safe long-term use as food.