Phytochemical profile, antioxidant potential and DFT study of Araucaria columnaris (G. Forst.) Hook. Branch extracts

Abstract

In the present study, phytochemical investigation, antioxidant potential and quantum study on the dichloromethane (DCM) and ethanol extracts of Araucaria columnaris (G. Forst.) Hook. branches have been carried out. The ethanol extract has higher total bioactive contents as compare with DCM extract such as total polyphenolic contents, total flavonoids contents and total tannin contents. The phytochemical quantification and volatile composition of most bioactive extract (ethanol) has been carried out by RP-HPLC-DAD (9-compounds) and GC-MS (19-compounds). The antioxidant potential was demonstrated using free radical scavenging, phosphomolybdenum, metal chelating and reducing power assays. The ethanol extract has higher antioxidant potential. The Density Functional Theory (DFT) has been carried out on major phytochemicals of ethanol extract. The current findings revealed an excellent concentration of bioactive compounds in A. columnaris (G. Forst.) Hook. branch, which reaffirms the great significance of the current work and benefaction to natural products chemistry.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Phytochemicals
• Antioxidant
• Quantum
• Araucaria columnaris (G. Forst.) Hook

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Acknowledgements

The authors are extremely thankful to Prof. B.K. Kanungo (Department of Chemistry) SLIET, Longowal for assisting in DFT study and SLIET, Longowal, Sangrur (PB) for providing necessary research facilities.