Phytochemical identification and antioxidant activities of wild Algerian plant Atriplex halimus L.

The secondary metabolites of cultivated and wild plants offer numerous advantages for foods, medicines, and cosmetics. In this context, an evaluation to investigate the impact of plant parts and plant origins on the biological capacities of Atriplex halimus L. were conducted, with the aim of exploring its potential as a natural alternative for antioxidants. In the present work, phenolics and flavonoids from the aerial parts (leaves and stems) of A. halimus of three provinces (Mazagran, Biskra, and Sig) in Algeria were quantified and identified using spectrophotometry and chromatography (HPLC-DAD). Complementary assays such as DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP were performed to assess the antioxidant capacities. Results exhibited greater quantities of phenolics in leaf extracts. Significant variation was found between plant origins; leaf extract from Mazagran was richer in TPC and TFC. Qualitative analysis revealed 25 phenolic compounds, including five phenolic acids (four hydroxybenzoic acid and one hydroxycinamic acid) and 20 flavonoids from the leaf extracts. Leaf extracts also exhibited higher antioxidant powers than stem extracts. Generally, antioxidant tests demonstrated higher antiradical capacity of leaf extract from Mazagran. Therefore, A. halimus from Mazagran can be used as a source of natural antioxidant, and in different fields, particularly medicines and foods.