Antioxidant and antiglycating properties of ethanolic extracts from different parts of Neltuma ruscifolia pods

Abstract

Neltuma ruscifolia, a neglected underutilised species (NUS) within the Fabaceae family, lacks formal commercial recognition, despite its nutritional richness and endemic status. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and antiglycating properties, as well as to identify associated bioactive compounds, in extracts (ultrasound and agitation) of different grinding fractions of N. ruscifolia seeds. Bioactivity varied depending on the extraction procedure and milling fraction, with the highest value in ultrasound-extracted residue (exocarp, mesocarp). Some additional polyphenolic compounds (like hydroxybenzoic/ellagic acids) only appeared upon ultrasound-assisted extraction. It was possible to identify some polyphenols (such as chrysin, rutin, kaempferol and cinnamic, coumaric, protocatechuic, ellagic and caffeic acids) that were highly related to the bioactivity. The antioxidant, antiglycating, colourant and technological properties of the extracts different fractions of N. ruscifolia pods are mainly dependent on the selected milling fraction. The extraction method, in a second place, significantly affects the resulting quantity and the type of extracted compounds, defining their potential applications.