CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF VIBURNACEAE PLANTS: SAMBUCUS NIGRA L. AND VIBURNUM OPULUS L.

Objective: Plants of Viburnaceae family, including Sambucus nigra L. (elderberry) and Viburnum opulus L. (guelder berry), are known for their rich phytochemical composition, bioactive properties, and therapeutic applications. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant potential and phytochemical content of fruit juices of S. nigra and V. opulus.Material and Method: Bioactivity was evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and Cupric Ion Reducing Antioxidant Capacity methods, while total phenolic and flavonoid contents were assessed via Folin-Ciocalteu and a spectrophotometric method based on aluminum chloride complexation, respectively.Result and Discussion: Fruit juice of V. opulus demonstrated greater radical scavenging capacity (664.17 ± 10.27 µmol/g) and Cu(II)-reducing activity (806.11 ± 9.93 mmol/g) compared to that of S. nigra (89.17 ± 6.24 µmol/g and 456.27 ± 3.33 mmol/g, respectively). This enhanced antioxidant potential is likely associated with its higher total phenolic content. In contrast, S. nigra exhibited flavonoid content than V. opulus, indicating that flavonoids may contribute differently to bioactivity profiles. A total of 41 compounds were identified using QTOF-LC-MS/MS, providing further insight into the phytochemical diversity of both species. The major compounds included the flavonoids rutin, quercetin, and herbacetin, as well as the phenolic acids chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid.