2,342
Views
41
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Articles

Profile of phenolic compounds in Trifolium pratense L. extracts at different growth stages and their biological activities

, , &
Pages 3090-3101 | Received 29 Aug 2016, Accepted 13 Dec 2016, Published online: 12 Apr 2017
 

ABSTRACT

Although Trifolium pratense (Red Clover) is considered to be one of the leading crops for livestock grazing, it could also be used as a potential source of bioactive compounds in phytopharmacy. The aim of this study was to investigate the phenolic content and its biological activity at the growth phases (30 cm, 50 cm, and bud) of this plant. The phenolic compounds in methanolic extracts of T. pratense leaves at three growth stages, obtained by Microwave Assisted Extraction, were quantified using the HPLC-ESI-MS/MS technique, and their antioxidant and antimicrobial activity were assessed. Isoflavonoids, genistein, and daidzein, as well as other phenols, p-hydroxybenzoic and caffeic acids, kaempferol 3-O-glucoside, quercetin 3-O-glucoside, and hyperoside were found in all the extracts, but the content of these compounds was the highest in the extract of the plant at the lowest growth stage (30 cm, vegetative). Therefore, this extract showed the best antioxidant potential and it was most effective against bacterial strains such as Escherichia coli and Enterobacter aerogenes. These results indicated that red clover has potential health benefits, and that growth phase contributes to its biological activity. The extract of red clover at the growth stage of 30 cm is a great source of bioactive compounds and could be used in phytotherapy and nutrition.

Declaration of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Funding

This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Serbia (Project No. 172058).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Serbia (Project No. 172058).

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.