Comparative Investigation Of Phytochemical Composition And Antioxidant Activities In Various Parts Of Ziziphus Jujuba Mill

Abstract

Ziziphus jujuba (jujube) is extensively recognized for its nutritional and medicinal properties. This study aimed to compare the biochemical composition and antioxidant activity of different plant organs to establish correlations between secondary metabolites and antioxidant potential. Quantitative analysis revealed that the leaves contained the highest levels of total polyphenols (0.470 ± 0.021 mg∙g⁻¹) and flavonoids, including anthocyanidins (11.16 ± 0.11 mg∙g⁻¹) and flavonoid aglycones (2.46 ± 0.13 mg∙g⁻¹), followed by the fruit pulp and seeds. GC-MS analysis of organic extracts highlighted distinct chemical profiles among the organs. The leaves were rich in α-pyrone (59.26%) and α-hydroxyhydrocinnamic acid; the pulp was dominated by levulinic acid methyl ester (82.14%) and oleic acid, while the seeds were enriched in saturated fatty acids, olealdehyde, and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). Antioxidant activity, as assessed by DPPH IC₅₀, confirmed the superior activity of leaf extracts (IC50=7.60 ± 0.46 mg∙mL⁻¹) compared to the pulp and seeds. Z. zizyphus represents a promising source of natural antioxidant compounds, and the differential composition of its plant organs underscores their potential for developing functional foods, nutraceuticals, and therapeutic products.