Chemical analysis and anti-oxidation activities of the Moroccan Milk Thistle

The milk thistle (Silybum marianum) seeds Oil and ethanolic extracts were subjected to chemical analysis, and evaluated for their antioxidant activities. Chemical analysis of the Oil was performed by GC-MS. The main fatty acids were linoleic (48.26%), oleic (27.71%) and palmitic (7.67%) acids. While sterols major element was ß-sitosterol (27.06%) followed by cholesterol (22.38%). Antioxidant activity was examined using DPPH (353.89 ± 3.68) and ABTS (805.25 ± 16.90) mg TE/ g edw; also FRAP (8.38 ± 0.12 AAE/g edw) assays. Phenolic and flavonoid contents were much more higher in ethanolic extract (45.31 ± 1.75 mg GAE/g edw - 33.23 ± 0.87 mg RE/g edw). In summary, chemometric comparisons with our previous analysis of lipids from Moroccan Oils demonstrated the interesting and unique profile of the milk thistle Oil for nutritional diet and therapies