Characterization of phenolics in different parts of selected Capparis species harvested in low and high rainfall season

The stem bark, shoot, fruit, flower and root from Capparis spinosa and Capparis decidua , harvested in April and September (corresponding to low and high rainfall season, respectively), were investigated for variations in the contents of total phenols, flavonoids and individual phenolics. Aqueous methanol (80%) soluble extracts from different parts of the selected species, were evaluated colorimetrically for total phenolic contents (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC) and inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation. Relatively, a higher extract yield (5.57–42.43%), TPC (157.3–348.6 GAE mg/100 g), TFC (229.2–584.9 CE mg/100 g) for both the species were recorded for September samples. Among the parts tested of both the species, fruits offered higher content of total phenolics (235.1–455.3 GAE mg/100 g) whereas flowers contained greater amount of flavonoids (96.7–269.9 CE mg/100 g). A notably variable content of phenolic compounds (0.24–94.22 mg/100 g) such as gallic acid, p -coumaric acid, caffeic acid, p -hydroxybenzoic acid and sinapic acid were detected by RP-HPLC in different parts of the selected species; however, sinapic acid was not detected in the flowers of both the species. It can be concluded from the findings of the present study that season has significant effect on the phenolics profiling of Capparis plants and thus collection of different parts of the selected species in an appropriate season can be beneficial towards maximizing their functional food and nutraceutical benefits.