Chemical and bioactivity screening of subcritical water extracts of chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) stems

Abstract

© 2018 Elsevier B.V. Subcritical water extracts of chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) stems were chemically and biologically characterised. Chemical profile was defined by GC–MS analysis whereas anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic and tyrosinase-inhibitory activities of the extracts were investigated by in vitro assays. Antioxidant activity assays revealed strong activity against DPPH radical (IC 50 = 0.1 mg/mL) and reducing power (IC 50 = 0.25 mg/mL). The extracts demonstrated remarkable amylase (0.59 mmol ACAE/g) and glucosidase (7.50 mmol ACAE/g) inhibitory effects. Anti-tyrosinase activity of aronia stem extracts obtained by subcritical water was calculated to be 15.87 mg KAE/g extract. GC–MS analysis of chokeberry stem subcritical water extracts revealed the presence of different chemical classes. The compounds present in the highest concentrations were polyols arabitol (13.7%), xylitol (3.5%), and glycerol (1.96%), as well as sugars such as fructose (3.04%), ribose (1.99%) and xylulose (1.18%).