Isolation and identification of squalene as an antioxidative compound from the fruits of Prunus mume

We investigated an antioxidative compound from the fruits of Prunus mume. The DPPH free radical‐scavenging activity of ethanol extract was 96.08% ~ 97.71%. The ABTS radical scavenging activities of the ethanol, methanol, and water extracts were 90.05% ~ 95.06%, 88.42% ~ 92.13%, and 69.76% ~ 89.07%, respectively. The antioxidant compounds in ethanol extract from P. mume fruits were isolated using silica gel column chromatography with 100% ethanol. DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities were measured, and the highest activities were observed in fraction 2. Thereafter, antioxidant compounds in fraction 2 from P. mume fruits were isolated using column chromatography. The fractions were then subjected to secondary column chromatography to obtain subfractions 1–2, which showed high antioxidant activities. Purified subfractions 1–2 were obtained from P. mume fruit fractions using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Among the eight purified subfractions, fraction code D showed the strongest antioxidative effect. Finally, purified subfraction code D was identified as squalene compound by nuclear magnetic resonance and HPLC. Practical applications In recent years, there has been an increasing recognition of the impact of harmful oxidative species on human health, including cancer, metabolic disorders, inflammation, and aging. Research has shown that Prunus mume, commonly known as the plum blossom, has a large number of antioxidative compounds, which are known to have beneficial effects against a variety of disorders. This study along with prior results suggests that squalene may be an antioxidant substance present in P. mume flesh.