859-864Methanolic extracts of Acacia pennatula pods (MEA) were
screened for antioxidant and antimutagenic properties by 1,1-
diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH),
2,2´-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), ferric reducing
antioxidant
power (FRAP) and Kado microsuspension assays, respectively.
Total phenolic and flavonoid contents as well as HPLC identification
and quantification of gallic acid and (+)-catechin were also
carried out. MEA were capable of significant antioxidant
capacity by DPPH, ABTS and FRAP methods. MEA inhibited >
80% mutagenicity induced either by 4-nitro-O-phenylenediamine
or sodium azide. Thus phenolics-containing extracts of A.
pennatula pods display biological activities with potential
application in pharmaceutical and food sectors