Phytochemical Profile, Antioxidant Capacity, and Chromatographic Separation of Sumac (Rhus Coriaria L.) Extract

Abstract

Plants are a valuable source of pharmaceuticals, as most plant parts contain bioactive components. Sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) is a widespread shrub in the Mediterranean region, and it has been historically used as a spice and flavoring component. Due to its widespread therapeutic use in the northern Iraqi towns of Koisinjaq and Erbil, the sumac plant was chosen for this purpose. Phytochemical and antioxidant studies on the plant were not conducted in this location, despite having been done in other places. The study focused on the phytochemical constituents, chromatographic fractionations and antioxidant activities of sumac fruits. Methanolic sumac extract was subjected to column chromatography using toluene-EtOAc-HCO2H (4:5:2) mobile phase, resulting in the separation of seven fractions. Identification of the extract and fraction was done using HPLC/DAD. The methanolic extract was rich in phenolic content (138.46mg GAE/g dry weight (dw)), flavonoids (5.54mg QE/g), flavonols (10.15mg RE/g) and anthocyanins (5.33mg/kg), indicating the high antioxidant activity of sumac fruits. Furthermore, the extract demonstrated ferric-reduction and metal-chelating capabilities, containing 92.31mg FeSO4/g and 638.46mg Fe2+/g. This research suggests that the food and pharmaceutical sectors could benefit from the antioxidants and natural phytochemicals found in the sumac plant.