Abstract

Solanum melongena L. spineless variety is a Solanaceae of the genus Solanum whose fruit is used in the composition of several cultural dishes in West Cameroon and has many medicinal properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant power of this endemic eggplant for better valorization. We performed a characterization of the extracts according to Mane (2012), then antioxidant tests (carotenoids, polyphenols, DPPH test and ABTS) according to the methods described by: Sass et al. (2005), Chérifa (2014), Kim et al. (2002) and Bellili and Khenouce (2013). Phytochemical screening of aqueous fruit extracts of Solanum melongena L. spineless variety revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, triterpenes and sterols, anthocyanins and cardiotonic glycosides. For 100 g of Solanum melongena L. fruit, spineless variety, we have 21.03 ± 0.008 mg as total carotenoid content and 448 ± 0.002mgEAG/100 g total polyphenol content for the aqueous extract. In addition, we noted that the presence of free radical anti-free radical compounds inhibits DPPH and ABTS radicals at the 50% equivalent concentrations respectively: (0.69 ± 0.002 mg/mL and 0.74 ± 0.002 mg/mL). The consumption of Solanum melongena L. spineless variety is said to be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of diseases related to oxidative stress.

Key words: Solanum melongena L., Chemical screening, Antioxidant activity