Variability of the chemical compositions of fatty acids,tocopherols and lipids antioxidant activities,obtained from the leaves of Pistacia lentiscus L. growing in Algeria

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

One of the objectives of food industry is to seek new resources of oil that preferably presents nutritional values. For human health, fats and particularly vegetable oils are considered as an important source of energy when glucose is not available. In addition, the search for effective, natural compounds with antioxidant activity has been intensified in recent years to replace the synthetic products.

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of the present work was to determine the fatty acids profile (and variability) of the lipid fractions extracted from five different populations of the leaves of Pistacia lentiscus L. growing in Algeria. In addition, the antioxidant activities of the lipidic fractions were also determined.

METHODS:

The chemical compositions of tocopherols were also analyzed by HPLC for the first time for this plant part. The chemical percentage variability (presence of two main distinguished clusters) of the fatty acids was discussed using statistical analysis methods (Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering “AHC” and principal component analysis “PCA”). The antioxidant activity of the dewaxed lipid fractions were investigated in vitro using two different assays: DPPH (1,1-diphenyl, 2-picrylhydrazyl) free radicals scavenging activity and β-carotene bleaching test.

RESULTS:

For the overall samples, the main saturated fatty acids components were capric acid (C10:0 = 2.49–13.88%), myristic acid (C14:0 = 4.71–9.12%) and palmitic acid (C16:0 = 5.31–9.03%). Alternatively, the main unsaturated fatty acids were oleic acid (C18:1w9 = 3.42–4.85%), linoleic acid (C18:2w6 = 10.94–16.99%) and most importantly α-linolenic acid (C18:3w3 = 20.92–48.92%), which is known for its multiple dietary, pharmaceutical and clinical benefits.

CONCLUSION:

The results of fatty acids methyl esters identification using GC and GC-MS showed a clear variability in the composition of fatty acids. The main result of this study illustrate the nutritional potential (richness in MUFA such as C18:1w9, presence of essential fatty acids such as C18:2w6 at all the stages of maturation, richness in omega-3 fatty acids such as C18:3w3. of the oil of P. lentiscus leaves, which can provide opportunities for rational exploitation for medicinal purposes and in the food industries. Regarding tocopherols HPLC analysis, the samples were rich in α-tocopherol (58.51–89.17% of the total tocopherols identified). Finally, and for antioxidant activity measured by β-carotene assay, the obtained values suggested good antioxidant activities when compared with antioxidants of reference.

Keywords

leaves fatty acids C18:3w3 tocopherols antioxidant activity

1 Introduction

The genus of Pistacia has garnered pharmaceutical attention in recent times. In this regard, the ethnomedicinal, phytochemistry, biological potencies, and risks of Pistacia genus have been reviewed [1]. Although the phytochemical composition of the genus of Pistacia has been extensively studied, there are still many new recent reports focusing in the health curative effect of their extracts [2 –11]. Moreover, their nutritional value (especially for Pistachios “Pistacia vera”) is still of interest [12, 13].

Pistacia lentiscus L. (lentisk) is an evergreen bush (shrub or tree) of the Anacardiaceae family that can reach 3 m in high, belonging to the Anacardiaceae family that consists of more than eleven species. It is largely distributed in “extreme” ecosystems of the Mediterranean countries and has a large geographical and bioclimatical distribution, extending from the humid to the arid areas [14]. In Algeria, the tree is widespread in forest alone or associated with other tree species such as terebinth, olives and carob, in all coastal areas or in seaside stony areas [15]. P. lentiscus (also known in Algeria under the name of “Dharou”) is extensively used in folk medicine by rural populations in Algeria. Algeria is home to at least 3164 species of vascular plant, of which 7.9% are endemic. P. lentiscus is important because of its medicinal value [16].

P. lentiscus is used for various medicinal properties. The extract of the different parts of the plant shows various activities like anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiatherogenic and antimutagenic, antioxidant, antifungal, lipid lowering, hepatoprotective, anticancer, antiasthmatic, anthelmintic, wound healing, hypotensive, antiarthritic, antigout activity and also in the treatment of functional dyspepsia [17]. The essential oil obtained from the gum/resin of P. lentiscus L. is commonly called mastic oil, whereas the oil obtained from the leaves is named lentisk oil. In human medicine, aqueous extracts of leaves and young twigs are prepared as infusions or decoctions. Leaves and young twigs are used “as is” in veterinary medicine. Extracts exhibit a high concentration of phenolics and terpenes of varying composition [18]. The leaves of P. lentiscus are extensively used in folk medicine for the treatment eczema, diarrhoea, and throat infections, and as a potent antiulcer agent [19].

Actually, the food safety concern on human health resulting from excessive employment of synthetic additives have prompted the development of new sanitation methods to decrease the negative impact on human health and environment. One such possibility is the use of essential oils and plants products as antibacterial additives. Fixed oils are also known for their antimicrobial power related to fatty acids and phenol compounds. P. lentiscus L. seed oil is one of edible oils widely used and appreciated, for its special taste, by local population in Algerian and Tunisian forest areas [20].

Previous reports on the chemical composition of the fatty acids of P. lentiscus dealt mainly with fruits part [21 –30]. Instead, other reports were focusing on the sterols analysis from the fruits [21 , 31]. For the tocopherols previous reports were interested in the fruits part [26, 30]. Regarding the leaves part, a previous report on P. lentiscus var. chia established a colorimetric quantification of α-tocopherol of the leaves by TLC-densitometry and colorimetry [19]. When considering the antioxidant activity of the fatty acids, the studied parts were those of fruits [27].

According to literature, and at best of our knowledge, there are only few reports dealing with the identification of the fatty acids of the leaves of P. lentiscus; beside an old reports published in German language, in which only seven main components were identified (C14, C16 and C18) [32], some recent report dealt with major fatty acid compositions of the oil extracts from different parts of this tree: seeds, fruits, resins, root, leaf and stem [33]. Additionally, some other recent studies from Tunisia dealt with the influence of the harvest date on fatty acids composition of P. lentiscus edible oils [27] and investigated also the effect of the growing area on tocopherols, carotenoids and fatty acid contents obtained from the fruits of P. lentiscus [26]. Nevertheless, no reports were found on the sterols contents of the leaves of P. lentiscus, nor their tocopherols, except a colorimetric quantification of α-tocopherol as mentioned above [19]. The aim of the present work was to determine the fatty acids profile of the lipid fractions extracted from five different populations of the leaves of P. lentiscus L. growing in Algeria. Most importantly and for the first time for this plant part, the composition of tocopherols were determined by HPLC. In addition, the total tocopherols and total sterols were also quantified using colorimetric methods. Furthermore, the quantification of waxes in lipid fraction was also determined; and finally, the antioxidant activity of the lipid fractions were investigated in vitro for the first time, using two different and complementary methods: DPPH (1,1-diphenyl, 2-picrylhydrazyl) free radicals scavenging assay, then β-carotene bleaching test.

2 Materials and methods

2.1 Chemicals

Petroleum ether, anhydrous sodium sulfate, sodium and ascorbic acid were purchased from AnalaR NORMAPUR Prolab. Chloroform, absolute ethanol, activated charcoal (activated carbon), n-hexane, sulfuric acid, acetic acid, ferric chloride, dichloromethane, α-tocopherol (Vitamin E) and DPPH• (1,1-diphenyl, 2-picrylhydrazyl) were obtained from Sigma-Aldrich (Prochima Sigma, Tlemcen, Algeria). Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), was purchased from Fluka chemie (Prochima Sigma, Tlemcen, Algeria). ortho-phenanthroline and acetic anhydride were obtained from Merck (Merck S.A.R.L. Algiers, Algeria) and cholesterol from UCB Pharma (SARL E-SAHTI, Algiers, Algeria). All reagents and chemicals used were of analytical grade.

2.2 Collection of plant material

Leaves of Pistacia lentiscus L. (Five different tree samples) were randomly collected in January 2016, from the location of Magtaâ Kheïra (town of Tipaza), located in north of Algeria, at west of the capital Algiers (36°39’34.43”N and 2°48’37.02”E with an altitude of 73 m). The leave samples of the plants were air-dried in the shade at room temperature for 15 days. A voucher specimen (PLL-TMK/01/2016) was deposited in the herbarium of the Fundamental Sciences Research Laboratory at Laghouat University.

2.3 Lipid extraction

The air dried leaves of Pistacia lentiscus L. were milled to obtain a fine powder using a coffee grinder. The lipids were extracted using a Soxhlet apparatus with petroleum ether as solvent for a period of 12 hours. The lipid extract was collected in a flask and subsequently dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate Na₂SO₄. After filtration, the lipid extract was transferred to a rotary vacuum evaporator at 40°C in order to fully dry the extract.

The chlorophyll removal was performed by reflux, using chloroform as solvent in the round-bottomed flask containing lipids and activated carbon for 2 hours. The ratio of activated carbon relative to initially air dried leaves was 1:5 (mass). The extract fraction was cooled to room temperature then filtered. At the end, the chloroform solvent was removed from the filtered solution in Rotavap under reduced pressure at 40°C.

The extracted lipid fraction was weighed to determine the total lipid content per dry weight of the plant, and then stored at +4°C for further analysis.

2.4 Fatty acids (FAs) composition

The FAs composition of the oils was determined after having converted the fatty acids FAs into fatty acids methyl esters (FAMEs) then analysed by gas chromatography (GC). The methyl esters were prepared by the following procedure: Lipids (0.5 g) were refluxed for 20 min in 10 mL of 2% sodium methylate (NaOMe), and then 20 mL of water was added. The fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) were extracted by n-hexane and washed with distilled water. The combined extracts were dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate Na₂SO₄ and evaporated under vacuum, then analysed by capillary gas chromatography.

2.5 Chromatographic analysis of FAMEs

The analyses of the FAMEs were performed in a gas chromatographic GC apparatus (model CP-Varian 3800). This model was equipped with a FID detector and DB-Wax capillary column (60 m×0.32 mm internal diameter, 0.25 μm film thickness). 2 μL of the sample was injected in the Split injection mode (50:1). Oven temperature was programmed using four different ramps. The temperature started at 40°C, held for 0.5 min, then raised at a rate of 25°C/min to 195°C, then raised at a rate of 3°C/min to 205°C, then raised at a rate of 8°C/min to 230°C, then raised at a rate of 20°C/min to 260°C, and finally kept for 5 min. The injector temperature was set at 250°C and the detector temperature at 260°C, the flow rate of carrier gas (helium) was 1 mL/min. Identification and quantification of FAMEs was accomplished by comparing the retention times of peaks with those of pure standards purchased from Sigma and analysed under the same conditions. The results were expressed as total area percentage of identified individual fatty acids in the lipid fraction.

2.6 Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis of FAMEs

The GC-MS analysis was performed on an AGILENT 6890 GC/CMSD 5973 equipped with a capillary column UB-Wax (30 m×0.25 mm internal diameter, 0.25 μm film thickness) and a 70 eV EI quadrupole detector. Helium was the carrier gas, at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. Injector and MS transfer line temperatures were set at 250°C and 220°C, respectively. Column temperature was programmed same as the gas chromatography. 1 μL of samples were injected using split mode (50:1).

2.7 Dewaxing of lipids

Prior to the subsequent determinations: antioxidant activity, quantification of total sterols and total tocopherols, the lipid fractions were dewaxed by the following procedure. Crude lipids were first dissolved in absolute ethanol, and then kept in refrigerator for a period of 24 hours in order to crystallize the waxes fractions; after that, the solution containing frozen waxes particles was filtered and finally, the solvent extracts were eliminated under vacuum pressure in rotary evaporator at 40°C.

2.8 Tocopherols analysis by HPLC

Tocopherols were analyzed by HPLC using an Agilent 1290 Infinity apparatus equipped with a Quaternary Pump Model 1260, an automatic liquid sample and a fluorimetric detector (FLD 1260). The detection was set at 295 nm for excitation wavelength and at 330 nm for emission wavelength. The separation column was a SI60 (250 mm×4.6 mm internal diameter, 5 μm film thickness, Lichrosorb, Merck KGaA Darmstadt, Germany). The mobile phase was n-hexane/isopropanol, (99/1:v/v), in isocratic mode, with a flow rate set at 1 mL/min, during 20 min. Column compartment was set at 25°C. Commercial standard (α-Toc) and a mixture (α-Toc, β-Toc, γ-Toc and δ-Toc) were co-injected with samples for the identification of tocopherol isomers. Prior to HPLC analysis, 35 mg of lipids fraction was diluted with 1 mL n-hexane and 20 μL of the solution was injected.

2.9 Determination of the total tocopherols content of P. lentiscus leaves

The total tocopherols content of the lipids was determined by the spectrometric method described in reference [34] with a few modifications. This method is based on the redox reaction between tocopherols and ferric iron (Fe^3 +) which is reduced to ferrous iron (Fe^2 +). The latter, in the presence of specific reagents such as ortho-phenanthroline (1,10-phenantroline), forms a stable red-orange complex with a very high molar extinction coefficient at 510 nm.

From the standard solution of α-tocopherol in dichloromethane we prepared aliquot solutions with different concentrations. To 2 mL of each solution was added 1 mL of 1,10-phenantroline reagent (0.4% in absolute ethanol), then 1 mL of ferric chloride reagent (0.12% in absolute ethanol) was added and the mixture was shaken for 5 min. The absorbance of the mixture was read at 510 nm. A blank was run, using 2 mL of dichloromethane, 1 mL of 1,10-phenantroline reagent and 1 mL of ferric chloride reagent. The above described procedure was followed by using sample solutions of lipids (dewaxed lipids). The total tocopherols in the dewaxed lipids were calculated from the regression equation of the standard curve.

The results were expressed as α-tocopherol equivalent in mg/(g of lipids).

2.10 Determination of the total sterols content of P. lentiscus leaves

This method is based on spectrophotometric absorption according to the Liebermann-Burchard test (or acetic anhydride test) [35, 36], based on a specific coloured reaction of the 3 β-hydroxysteroids having a double bond in position 5-6. The sterols form a stable complex with the β-acetic anhydride in an acid medium which absorbs in the visible at a wavelength of 550 nm (the Liebermann spectral reagent consists of 60 mL of acetic anhydride and 10 mL of concentrated sulfuric acid and 30 mL of acetic acid).

From a chloroformic solution of cholesterol with a concentration of 1 g/L, we have prepared a series of solution dilutions in order to plot a calibration curve linking the optical density to the concentration. 1 mL of each diluted solution was mixed with 2 mL of the Liebermann reagent, then kept for 25 min in order to allow reagent colour to fully develop and stabilize.

The above described procedure was followed by using sample solutions of lipids (dewaxed lipids). The total sterols in the dewaxed lipids were calculated from the regression equation of the standard curve. The results were expressed as cholesterol equivalent in mg/(g of lipids) and in μg/(g leaves “d.w.”).

2.11 Antioxidant activity

2.11.1 Radical-scavenging activity (DPPH assay)

The antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH method, which is based on the evaluation of the free-radical scavenging capacity. Briefly, 0.5 mL of the sample (dewaxed lipids) diluted in absolute ethanol was mixed with 0.5 mL of 250 μM DPPH^{epsfboxG :/Tex/IOSPRESS/MNM/18198/IFS1 . eps} prepared in absolute ethanol. The reaction mixture was well shaken and incubated in the dark at room temperature for a period time of 30 min. The absorbance of the resulting solution was read at 517 nm against a blank. The antiradical activity was expressed as IC₅₀ (mg/mL): the concentration required to cause 50% initial DPPH^{epsfboxG :/Tex/IOSPRESS/MNM/18198/IFS1 . eps} inhibition. The inhibitory percentage of DPPH^{epsfboxG :/Tex/IOSPRESS/MNM/18198/IFS1 . eps} was calculated according to the following equation: $I % (Inhibition %) = [1 - (\frac{A}{A_{0}}) \times 100]$

Where A₀ and A are the absorbance values of control and of the tested sample, respectively.

Antioxidants of reference (Vitamin E and ascorbic acid) were used for comparison. All experiments were performed in triplicate.

2.11.2 Bleaching ability of β-carotene in linoleic system

The inhibition of β-carotene bleaching by the lipid fractions was determined according to slightly modified method described in literature [37].

A volume of 5 ml of dichloromethane solution of β-carotene at initial concentration of 0.1 mg/mL was added to a round flask containing 20 mg of acid linoleic and 200 mg of Tween 80. Dichloromethane was completely removed at 40°C under vacuum, then 50 mL of distilled water was slowly added and vigorously shaken. Aliquots (40 μL) of different solutions concentrations were added to 1 mL of β-carotene/linoleic acid emulsion. A control preparation was obtained by adding 40 μL of ethanol to 1 mL of β-carotene/linoleic acid emulsion. Absorbance of the preparations was measured at 490 nm before and after 2 h of incubation in a water bath at 50°C. Antioxidative activity (AA%) in percentages was calculated using the following formula: $AA % = \frac{({As}_{120} - {Ac}_{120})}{({Ac}_{0} - {Ac}_{120})} \times 100$

Where:

Ac₀ is the absorbance of the control respectively measured before the incubation.

As₁₂₀ and Ac₁₂₀ are the absorbance of the test and the control respectively measured after 2 h of incubation.

Results were expressed in AA% corresponding to solutions concentrations of 2 mg/mL (relative to the 40 μL added). The results were also expressed as AA₅₀, the concentration providing 50% β-carotene bleaching inhibition. Vitamin E was used as positive control. All trials were performed in triplicate.

2.12 Cluster analysis

Cluster analysis was performed using Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering AHC (Ward’s technique) with Euclidean distance measure. The calculus was performed using a set of individuals composed of 5 different fatty acids samples (different plants from the region of Zeralda). The total number of adopted variables was 20 (representing simply the major identified components in all represented individuals, or the most influencing parameters that could make a difference i.e. some minor compounds).

2.13 Principal component analysis (PCA)

The principal component analysis was performed using both the same individuals and variables adopted for Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering method.

3 Results and discussion

3.1 Lipid contents and fatty acids compositions of P. lentiscus leaves

The lipid contents and the fatty acids FAs composition of the P. lentiscus leaves are summarised in Table 1. The lipid contents were not the same for all studied samples; they were ranging from 1.94 to 4.12% upon dry matter. The content of lipids were very interesting since they are practically representative values when compared with those of other parts rich in oils (fruits) provided by literature. In fact, the maximum obtained yield value 4.12% was only about 3 to 8 times lower than the yields obtained by the fruits of P. lentiscus from Algeria reported by Charef et al. [29] in which they found 11.7% and 32.8% for red and black fruits, respectively. Moreover, the obtained yield was not far different from both of Quercus ilex L. and Quercus suber L. in which they exhibited identical yields values of 9.0% (from the fruits parts), and were reported also by Charef et al. [29].

Table 1
Fatty acid compositions of the lipids fractions obtained from the leaves of Pistacia lentiscus

Fatty acids Composition (%) Identification

Z1 Z2 Z3 Z4 Z5

C10:0 02.49 11.74 13.88 03.18 02.57 GC, MS

C11:0 00.80 01.64 02.86 tr tr GC, MS

C12:0 00.87 02.42 02.16 tr tr GC, MS

C13:0 00.94 01.32 tr tr 01.62 GC, MS

C14:0 06.43 08.19 07.38 04.71 09.12 GC, MS

C14:1w5 tr tr 01.77 tr tr GC, MS

C15:0 00.73 01.32 01.54 tr 01.35 GC, MS

C16:0 07.49 08.05 06.9 05.31 09.03 GC, MS

C17:0 00.54 tr tr tr tr GC, MS

C18:0 00.88 01.53 01.79 tr tr GC, MS

C18:1w9 03.66 04.11 04.66 03.42 04.85 GC, MS

C18:2w6 14.73 11.25 10.94 12.38 16.99 GC, MS

C18:3w3 48.92 27.71 25.07 20.92 33.94 GC, MS

C20:0 00.79 01.36 02.07 07.07 01.96 GC, MS

C20:1w9 tr 01.35 02.19 06.56 tr GC, MS

C20:2 00.74 01.61 01.47 04.90 01.92 GC, MS

C20:3w6 tr tr 01.52 03.27 01.72 GC, MS

C20:5w3 tr 01.55 tr tr tr GC, MS

C22:2 00.88 01.30 01.56 03.34 01.46 GC, MS

C23:0 tr tr tr 02.73 tr GC, MS

Total identified (%) 90.89 86.45 87.76 77.79 86.53

ΣSFA (%) 21.96 37.57 38.58 23.00 25.65

ΣMUFA (%) 03.66 05.46 08.62 09.98 04.85

ΣPUFA (%) 65.27 43.42 40.56 44.81 56.03

ΣUSFA (%) 68.93 48.88 49.18 54.79 60.88

U/S (%) 03.14 01.30 01.27 02.38 02.37

Lipids yield (%) dw 02.76 01.94 02.50 04.12 03.49

Waxes in lipids (%) mass. 54.08 59.85 59.92 52.39 66.63

Fatty acids	Composition (%)	Identification
C10:0	02.49	11.74	13.88	03.18	02.57	GC, MS
C11:0	00.80	01.64	02.86	tr	tr	GC, MS
C12:0	00.87	02.42	02.16	tr	tr	GC, MS
C13:0	00.94	01.32	tr	tr	01.62	GC, MS
C14:0	06.43	08.19	07.38	04.71	09.12	GC, MS
C14:1w5	tr	tr	01.77	tr	tr	GC, MS
C15:0	00.73	01.32	01.54	tr	01.35	GC, MS
C16:0	07.49	08.05	06.9	05.31	09.03	GC, MS
C17:0	00.54	tr	tr	tr	tr	GC, MS
C18:0	00.88	01.53	01.79	tr	tr	GC, MS
C18:1w9	03.66	04.11	04.66	03.42	04.85	GC, MS
C18:2w6	14.73	11.25	10.94	12.38	16.99	GC, MS
C18:3w3	48.92	27.71	25.07	20.92	33.94	GC, MS
C20:0	00.79	01.36	02.07	07.07	01.96	GC, MS
C20:1w9	tr	01.35	02.19	06.56	tr	GC, MS
C20:2	00.74	01.61	01.47	04.90	01.92	GC, MS
C20:3w6	tr	tr	01.52	03.27	01.72	GC, MS
C20:5w3	tr	01.55	tr	tr	tr	GC, MS
C22:2	00.88	01.30	01.56	03.34	01.46	GC, MS
C23:0	tr	tr	tr	02.73	tr	GC, MS
Total identified (%)	90.89	86.45	87.76	77.79	86.53
ΣSFA (%)	21.96	37.57	38.58	23.00	25.65
ΣMUFA (%)	03.66	05.46	08.62	09.98	04.85
ΣPUFA (%)	65.27	43.42	40.56	44.81	56.03
ΣUSFA (%)	68.93	48.88	49.18	54.79	60.88
U/S (%)	03.14	01.30	01.27	02.38	02.37
Lipids yield (%) dw	02.76	01.94	02.50	04.12	03.49
Waxes in lipids (%) mass.	54.08	59.85	59.92	52.39	66.63

ΣSFA: Sum of saturated fatty acids; ΣMUFA: Sum of mono-unsaturated fatty acids; ΣPUFA: Sum of poly-unsaturated fatty acids; ΣUSFA: Sum of unsaturated fatty acids; U/S: ratio “unsaturated/saturated” fatty acids.

The results of gas chromatography GC and gas chromatography coupled to the mass spectroscopy GC-MS analysis of the fatty acids methyl esters FAMEs of P. lentiscus leaves are given in Table 1. The identification of the FAMEs showed some clear variability of the compositions of the five studied samples. For the overall samples, the main saturated fatty acids SFAs components were capric acid (C10:0 = 2.49–13.88%), myristic acid (C14:0 = 4.71–9.12%) and palmitic acid (C16:0 = 5.31–9.03%). Alternatively, the main unsaturated fatty acids USFAs chemical compounds were oleic acid (C18:1w9 = 3.42–4.85%), linoleic acid (C18:2w6 = 10.94–16.99%) and most importantly α-linolenic acid (C18:3w3 = 20.92–48.92%). The investigated samples presented high percentages of USFAs fractions compositions (48.88–68.93%), which were mostly represented by high amounts of poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the range of (40.56–65.27%). In the other hand, the SFAs were varying from 21.96 to 38.58%. The U/S ratio (“USFAs/SFAs”) was not steady once more; it depended also on the studied sample. In general, the amounts of fatty acids were decreasing in the order PUFA>SFA>MUFA “mono unsaturated FAs”. The U/S range variation was very noticeable and shifting from 1.27 to 3.14. The overall values of U/S are suggesting moderate to good values and these values provides to the oils a good prevention of oxidation. Let’s remind that MUFA have great importance because of their nutritional implications and their effect on the oxidative stability of oil. These results suggested that the P. lentiscus leave oils may serve as a potential dietary source of MUFA and PUFA. According to literature, it has been recognized that a diet rich in MUFA may be an alternative choice to low-fat diet, which may lower blood cholesterol levels, modulate immune function decrease susceptibility of oxidation of LDL and improve the fluidity of HDL [38]. The PUFA-enriched diet may also be important for the structure and function of many membrane proteins, including receptors, enzymes, and active transport molecules [39].

For better understanding of similarities and/or differences between the studied samples in term of FAs compositions, cluster analysis was performed using Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering AHC. The results of AHC schemed in the dendrogram of the Fig. 1, showed two clearly distinguished clusters “or groups” of samples (cluster 1: Z1, Z5) and (cluster 2: Z2, Z3 and Z4). Which indicated an existing dissimilarity of the studied samples (proves the existence of some variability of the chemical composition). The comparison of the chemical composition of samples Z1 and Z5 indicates roughly close values of the percentages of both major and minor components. For samples Z2 and Z3, the distance between these two samples was very low (Fig. 1), which means a very close values of percentages in both samples, as confirmed by the data of Table 1. Sample Z4 was clustered with Z2 and Z3 but with some existing differences of some components. The most influencing difference is that C10:0 in Z4 was becoming a minor component (3.18%) at the opposite of Z2 and Z3 where it was considered as a major component (11.74%, 13.88%). The most influencing difference between cluster 1 and 2 is, the higher percentages of C18:3w3 (48.92%, 33.94%) in cluster 1 in comparison with cluster 2 where the percentages were important but lower (20.92–27.71%).

Fig.1

Dendrogram obtained from a cluster analysis of five samples of fatty acids of Algerian Pistacia lentiscus leaves. Samples are clustered using Ward’s technique with a Euclidean distance measure.

In order to determine a more detailed similarities or differences between the two cluster and the samples, principal component analysis PCA method was performed to try to identify the most influencing components that can distinguish or regroup the studied samples.

These above observations (occurrence of two clusters) were also confirmed by the results of PCA (Fig. 2), and which allowed us to discuss the similarities and the differences upon the chemical compositions. Loading factors for principal axes F1 and F2 (representing 71.24% of the total information), are given in Fig. 2. The F1 Axis, which represents 48.98% of the total information, is strongly and positively correlated with C23:0 (99.2%), C20:0 (97.8%), C22:2 (95.6%), C20:2 (95.1%), C20:1 (91.4%) and C20:3 (84.7%). This same axis is negatively correlated with C15:0 (– 87.7%), C16:0 (– 81.5%) and C14:0 (– 80.9%).

Fig.2

Two dimensional plot on axes F1 and F2 using PCA of five samples of fatty acids of Algerian Pistacia lentiscus leaves.

Axis F2, which represents 28.26% of the total information, is highly negatively correlated with C10:0 (– 90.0%), C11:0 (– 81.7%), C14:1 (– 74.4%), C12:0 (– 73.3%) and C18:0 (– 72.2%). This same axis is strongly and positively correlated with only one compound C18:2 (93.1%).

As previously demonstrated with AHC method, there is appearance of the same formerly grouping of (Z1, Z5) and (Z2, Z3: with larger distance) and Z4, in which this time can be clearly distinguished (Fig. 2). The sample Z4 is strongly correlated with relatively higher percentages of C20:0 (7.07% Vs 0.79–2.07%), C20:1 (6.56% Vs tr-2.19%), C20:2 (4.9% Vs 0.74–1.92%).C23:0 (2.73% Vs tr), C22:2 (3.34% Vs 0.8–1.56%) and C20:3 (3.27% Vs tr-1.72%) in comparison with the rest of the samples. The samples Z1 and Z5 are strongly correlated with C18:3 (48.92% and 33.94%, respectively) and C18:2 (14.73% and 16.99%, respectively), since their percentages in these major compounds are the highest ones recorded for this two samples. For the Z2 and Z3 samples which are this time not as close as Z1 and Z5 were. This group is distinguished by high content of major compound C10:0 (11.74% and 13.88%, respectively), in comparison with the rest of the samples (2.49–3.18%). Then again, this group is also distinguished by relatively higher compositions of minor compounds such as C11:0 (1.64% and 2.86%, respectively Vs tr-0.8%), C12:0 (2.42% and 2.16%, respectively Vs tr-0.87) and C18:0 (1.53% and 1.79%, respectively Vs tr-0.88%), when compared with the remaining samples. Finally, when taking in account the two main agglomerations of the studied samples (groups 1 and 2) obtained from dendrogram of the Fig. 1, the results showed clear resemblance of the contents of SFA, MUFA and PUFA for the following pairs of individuals (Z1, Z5 then Z2, Z3, respectively) (Table 1).

The comparison of obtained results here in this investigation with the previous previous reports from Germany [32] and Turkey [33] revealed very few similarities but lot of differences (Table 2). Starting with similarities, the samples of Algeria were presenting comparables ranges with those of Germany and Turkey for the following compounds C14:0, C18:0 and C18:3. When considering differences, there were lot of dissimilarities detected. The compound C16:1 which was not detected in Algerian samples was present as a minor compound in samples of Germany and Turkey. The percentage ranges of C16:0, C18:1 and C18:2, were higher in the samples of Germany and Turkey, in comparison with those of Algeria. A large number of detected minor compounds in Algerian samples (at least fourteen FAs) were not reported (or not identified) in those of Germany and Turkey. Finally, it is very useful to mention that the range variation of C18:3 in the Algerian samples were presenting larger arrays (for min. and max.) in comparison with those of literature samples. This is the first investigation than report the presence of C18:3 with a percentage that can reach 48.92%.

Table 2

Comparison of the determined percentages of the fatty acids of the leaves of P. lentiscus with those of literature

	Fatty acids	Algeria (current investigation)	Germany [32]	Turkey [33]
				Male tree		Female tree
				In vivo	In vitro	In vivo
	C14:0	4.71–9.12%	5.0–7.8%	06.10	01.66	04.79
Similarities	C18:0	tr-1.79%	1.4–2.5%	01.11	02.12	00.87
	C18:3	20.92–48.92%	33.7–40.4%	35.57	32.06	36.78
Differences	C16:0	5.31–9.03%	17.2–22.4%	19.29	23.10	21.12
	C16:1	Not detected	0.8–1.9%	2.2	01.00	03.61
	C18:1	3.42–4.85%	8.2–22.7%	06.83	08.58	08.03
	C18:2	10.94–16.99%	10.3–21.2%	28.87	31.17	24.77
	C15:0	tr-1.54%	Not reported	Not detected	00.28	Not detected
	C10:0	2.57–13.88%	Not reported	Not reported		Not reported
	C11:0	tr-2.86%	Not reported	Not reported		Not reported
	C12:0	tr-2.42%	Not reported	Not reported		Not reported
	C13:0	tr-1.62%	Not reported	Not reported		Not reported
	C14:1	tr-1.77%	Not reported	Not reported		Not reported
	C15:0	tr-1.54%	Not reported	Not detected		Not detected
	C17:0	tr-0.54%	Not reported	Not detected		Not detected
	C20:0	0.79–7.07%	Not reported	Not reported		Not reported
	C20:1	tr-6.56%	Not reported	Not detected		Not detected
	C20:2	0.74–4.90%	Not reported	Not reported		Not reported
	C20:3	tr-3.27%	Not reported	Not reported		Not reported
	C20:5	tr-1.55%	Not reported	Not reported		Not reported
	C22:2	0.88–3.34%	Not reported	Not reported		Not reported
	C23:0	tr-2.73%	Not reported	Not reported		Not reported

3.2 Waxes content in lipid fractions of P. lentiscus leaves

The lipids of P. lentiscus leaves were very rich in wax fractions (Table 1). Indeed, the percentages of waxes were very high, varying from 52.39 to 59.92% “mass”, with mean and standard deviation values of (58.57±5.63)% “mass”.

3.3 Tocopherols composition analysis

Tocopherols analysis was performed for the five adopted samples. The results of the tocopherols percentages determined by HPLC analysis was exposed in Table 3. The data revealed that all investigated lipid samples contained a substantial amount of α-tocopherol “most important and requested vitamin”, ranging from 58.51 to 89.17% (with mean-value±sd = 76.14±11.20%). Furthermore, the γ-tocopherol was completely absent in all samples. For most investigated samples, the percentages of β-tocopherol were low (3.24–4.35% “minor compound”), except for Z5, where its percentage was relatively significant (14.02%). For δ-tocopherol, its percentage was moderately significant in the majority of studied samples (7.59–27.47%). The founded percentages values of tocopherols isomers suggested the presence a certain variability of the composition, which should be further clarified using a larger number of populations.

Table 3
Tocopherols and sterols contents in the lipids fractions obtained from the leaves of Pistacia lentiscus

Lipid samples Sterols contents Total tocopherols contents Percentages (%)*

(mg/g lipids) (μg/g leaves “d.w.”) (mg/g lipids) (μg/g leaves “d.w.”) α-Toc β-Toc δ-Toc

Z1 149.97±0.01 4132.8±0.1 4.5±0.3 125.0±8.9 75.99 03.90 20.10

Z2 175.61±0.01 3404.2±0.2 4.6±0.2 089.4±3.7 89.17 03.24 07.59

Z3 171.84±0.01 4302.2±0.2 3.2±0.2 080.1±4.0 79.06 04.34 16.60

Z4 167.40±0.01 6897.3±0.3 3.7±0.1 152.4±4.3 77.97 04.35 17.68

Z5 143.37±0.01 4997.3±0.2 3.2±0.1 110.0±3.5 58.51 14.02 27.47

Lipid samples	Sterols contents	Total tocopherols contents	Percentages (%)*
Z1	149.97±0.01	4132.8±0.1	4.5±0.3	125.0±8.9	75.99	03.90	20.10
Z2	175.61±0.01	3404.2±0.2	4.6±0.2	089.4±3.7	89.17	03.24	07.59
Z3	171.84±0.01	4302.2±0.2	3.2±0.2	080.1±4.0	79.06	04.34	16.60
Z4	167.40±0.01	6897.3±0.3	3.7±0.1	152.4±4.3	77.97	04.35	17.68
Z5	143.37±0.01	4997.3±0.2	3.2±0.1	110.0±3.5	58.51	14.02	27.47

Percentages determined by integration of surface area.

3.4 Quantification of total sterols of P. lentiscus leaves

Recently, the cosmetic, drug and alimentary/nutraceutical industries have focused attention on low-cost renewable resources, rich in lipid-related compounds such as phytosterols which are an important part of the unsaponifiable matter of vegetable oils. The analysis of the sterols provides rich information about the quality and the identity of the oil investigated, and for the detection of oil and mixtures not recognized by their fatty acids profile [21].

The results of the quantification of the dewaxed lipid fractions obtained from the leaves of P. lentiscus sterols and tocopherols are summarized in Table 3.

The total contents of sterols were much higher than the content of total tocopherols. The range content of sterols was varying from 143.37 to 175.61 mg/“g of lipids”, which were presenting significant variations. The three samples Z2, Z3 and Z4 were presenting close values of sterols contents, and especially for Z3, Z4. The lowest content value was recorded for the sample Z5.

3.5 Quantification of total tocopherols of P. lentiscus leaves

Tocopherols (vitamin E isomers) are well known natural antioxidants whose presence in oils is often correlated with a relatively high abundance of USFA.

The results of the quantification of sterols and tocopherols in the dewaxed lipid fractions obtained from the leaves of P. lentiscus are summarized in Table 3. For tocopherols content, the range variation was narrow, revealing close contents in the studied samples (3.2–4.6 mg/“g of lipids”). The two samples Z1 and Z2 were presenting very close contents. In addition, samples Z3, Z4 and Z5 were also presenting practically close contents.

3.6 Antioxidant activity

3.6.1 DPPH assay (free radical scavenging activity)

The antioxidant activity of the lipid fractions was determined in vitro using DPPH^• (1,1-diphenyl, 2-picrylhydrazyl) assay. The results are summarized in Table 4. The obtained values of IC₅₀ suggested low antioxidant activity when compared with antioxidant of reference (vitamins C and E), but the overall values are very interesting in comparison with the majority of common lipid fractions. In addition, and since there was a low variability of the values of IC₅₀ for the different adopted samples, the IC₅₀values range was very tight (3.28–4.51 mg/mL). The minimum value of IC₅₀ recorded for the sample Z2 represented the highest antioxidant activity. In the opposite side, the maximum IC₅₀ value was reflecting the lowest antioxidant power, in which this time was registered for Z5 sample.

Table 4
Antioxidant activity (DPPH assay and β-carotene test) of the lipid fractions obtained from the leaves of Pistacia lentiscus

Samples Antioxidant activity

DPPH assay β-carotene test

IC₅₀ (mg/mL) AA% (2 mg/mL) AA₅₀ (mg/mL)

Z1 3.76±0.14 61.61±0.04 1.53±0.04

Z2 3.28±0.13 71.72±0.04 1.43±0.04

Lipid extract samples Z3 3.98±0.27 37.24±0.07 2.59±0.07

Z4 3.54±0.27 42.43±0.04 2.47±0.04

Z5 4.51±0.03 046.4±0.02 2.21±0.02

Antioxidants of reference Vitamin E 0.0195±0.0075 85.14 –

Ascorbic acid 0.0130±0.0023 00.71 –

BHA – 96.00 –

BHT – 96.62 –

	Samples	Antioxidant activity
	Z1	3.76±0.14	61.61±0.04	1.53±0.04
	Z2	3.28±0.13	71.72±0.04	1.43±0.04
Lipid extract samples	Z3	3.98±0.27	37.24±0.07	2.59±0.07
	Z4	3.54±0.27	42.43±0.04	2.47±0.04
	Z5	4.51±0.03	046.4±0.02	2.21±0.02
Antioxidants of reference	Vitamin E	0.0195±0.0075	85.14	–
	Ascorbic acid	0.0130±0.0023	00.71	–
	BHA	–	96.00	–
	BHT	–	96.62	–

Correlation between antioxidant activity (expressed as Antioxidant Capacity AOC = 1/IC₅₀) and total tocopherols contents were investigated using linear equation model and estimated by minimum least square method. The found model gave a relatively good correlation factor “correlation coefficient ρ_x,y = 75.90% ” (Fig. 3), which indicated a direct relation between antioxidant capacity AOC of scavenging free DPPH radicals and total contents of tocopherols. This direct correlation supposes that the antioxidant activity is due mainly to the presence of tocopherols in the lipids.

Fig.3

Linear correlation between antioxidant activity (Antioxidant capacity AOC) and total contents of tocopherols in the lipids of Pistacia lentiscus leaves.

Linear correlations between percentages of unsaturated fatty acids (C18:1, 2 and 3) and total contents of tocopherols were also investigated. When exception was made for the sample Z4 (excluded), Fig. 4, shows strong linear relationship between total tocopherols and the percentages of C18:1 or C18:2 or C18:3, or the sum of these components. Especially for both C18:3 and total C18: it was observed that higher content of tocopherols in the lipids is directly correlated with higher content of C18: (or sum of C18:) “Correlation coefficient ρ_x,y = 95.24% and 99.09% for C18:3 and C18:, respectively”. The exclusion of sample Z4 may be explained by the fact that this sample belongs to a new different chemotype (as was above justified by statistical analysis: Figs. 1 and 2) that should be studied separately.

Fig.4

Linear correlations between percentages of unsaturated fatty acids (C18:) and total contents of tocopherols in the lipids of Pistacia lentiscus leaves.

3.6.2 β-carotene bleaching test

The result of β-carotene bleaching test was summarized in Table 4. In addition, kinetic evolution of antioxidants of reference (BHA, BHT, vitamin C, vitamin E) in β-carotene/linoleic system is presented in Fig. 5. The antioxidants of reference showed different responses in term of their activity at 2 mg/mL. Explicitly, vitamin C presented very weak activity in comparison with the rest of the antioxidants, whereas BHA and BHT were very effective antioxidants. Furthermore, vitamin E was also exhibiting practically lower but close activity to both BHA and BHT. The comparison of the antioxidant activity AA% of the lipid samples with those of antioxidants of reference shows some variability of this activity ranging from 37.24 to 71.72%, the highest value was recorded for sample Z2 (this value was close to recorded for vitamin E) whereas the lowest one was belonging to sample Z3. In terms of AA₅₀, the antioxidant data values revealed the presence of two clusters of activities. The first cluster, which involves Z1 and Z2 samples, showed the highest activities in term of AA₅₀ (1.53 and 1.43 mg/mL). The second cluster (Z3,4,5) exhibited a slightly lower activities compared to the first one with AA₅₀ range variation of 2.21–2.52 mg/mL. As a conclusion the lipid fractions presented good antioxidant activities in comparison with those of antioxidant of reference.

Fig.5

Evolution of the absorbance of antioxidants of reference in β-carotene/linoleic system as function of time.

3.7 Correlations between C18:, tocopherols and antioxidant activities

In order to determine possible existing relations between antioxidant activity (two assays) and the main important chemical components of the fatty acids (C18:1,2,3) and tocopherols (α,β,δ-Toc), correlations between these three groups of variables were determined using Excel internal statistical function “COEFFICIENT.CORRELATION”. The results were gathered in Table 5. Strong positive correlation was found between IC₅₀ (DPPH assay) and the two isomers β,δ-Toc. Alternatively, strong negative correlation was obtained between IC₅₀ and α-Toc Moreover, good correlation was also found between IC₅₀ and USFAs C18: except for the case of C18:3 where low correlation value was noticed (15.61%). This means that the higher antiradical power (lower IC₅₀ values) is primarily correlated with high percentages of α-Toc (strong negative correlation), and in the same time with low percentage of C18:1,2 and β,δ-Toc. For β-carotene assay, the results indicated no meaningful correlation between the three investigated variables. Furthermore, correlations between the percentages of the two sets of variables C18:1,2 and α,β,δ-Toc were also determined. First, C18:2 was highly positively correlated with β,δ-Toc, and at the same time highly negatively correlated with α-Toc. Secondly, tocopherols isomers were exhibiting some strong correlations within each others i.e. α-Toc was strongly and negatively correlated with β,δ-Toc isomers, which means that the highest percentages of α-Toc were related to the lowest percentages of both β- and δ-Toc. In the same context, β- and δ-Toc were strongly positively correlated with each others; this result consolidates the previous above statement.

Table 5
Correlations between antioxidant activity (DPPH assay and β-carotene test), C18: and tocopherols

AA₅₀ β-carontene IC₅₀ DPPH 18:1 18:2 18:3 α-Toc β-Toc δ-Toc

AA₅₀ β-carontene 1.0000 0.4425 0.2730 – 0.0991 – 0.6081 – 0.3566 00.2578 00.3905

IC₅₀ DPPH 1.0000 0.7484 00.7139 00.1561 – 0.9267 00.9119 00.8616

18:1 1.0000 00.2260 – 0.0831 – 0.4612 00.6362 00.3134

18:2 01.0000 00.5946 – 0.8840 00.8130 00.8578

18:3 01.0000 – 0.2746 00.1093 00.3570

α-Toc 01.0000 – 0.9214 – 0.9693

β-Toc 01.0000 00.7976

δ-Toc 01.0000

	AA₅₀ β-carontene	IC₅₀ DPPH	18:1	18:2	18:3	α-Toc	β-Toc	δ-Toc
AA₅₀ β-carontene	1.0000	0.4425	0.2730	– 0.0991	– 0.6081	– 0.3566	00.2578	00.3905
IC₅₀ DPPH		1.0000	0.7484	00.7139	00.1561	– 0.9267	00.9119	00.8616
18:1			1.0000	00.2260	– 0.0831	– 0.4612	00.6362	00.3134
18:2				01.0000	00.5946	– 0.8840	00.8130	00.8578
18:3					01.0000	– 0.2746	00.1093	00.3570
α-Toc						01.0000	– 0.9214	– 0.9693
β-Toc							01.0000	00.7976
δ-Toc								01.0000

4 Conclusion

The lipids of leaves of P. lentiscus are rich in two very important USFAs: linoleic (up to 16.99%) and linolenic (up to 48.92%) acids, which are known for their multiple dietary, pharmaceutical and clinical benefits. This obtained percentage of linolenic acid is the highest one yet recorded for this plant part. The naturally occurring fatty acid: conjugated linoleic acid (C18:2), presents different proprieties such anti-atherogenic and anti-carcinogenic [40]. In the same context and besides its role in reducing cardiovascular disease risk, α-linolenic acid (C18:3) presents also dietary effects such as anti-inflammatory and antiatherogenic [41].

The main result of this study illustrate the nutritional potential (richness in MUFA such as C18:1w9, presence of essential fatty acids such as C18:2w6 at all the stages of maturation, richness in omega-3 fatty acids such as C18:3w3) of the oil of P. lentiscus leaves, which can provide opportunities for rational exploitation for medicinal purposes and in the food industries. The results of statistical analysis showed else more the occurrence of at least two FAs chemoypes. Further investigations involving larger number of populations are required to identify all possible existing chemotypes. Regarding tocopherols analysis by HPLC, the samples were highly rich in α-tocopherol (up to 89.17%), which could be exploited in both food and pharmaceutical industries.

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	Samples	Antioxidant activity
		DPPH assay	β-carotene test
		IC₅₀ (mg/mL)	AA% (2 mg/mL)	AA₅₀ (mg/mL)
	Z1	3.76±0.14	61.61±0.04	1.53±0.04
	Z2	3.28±0.13	71.72±0.04	1.43±0.04
Lipid extract samples	Z3	3.98±0.27	37.24±0.07	2.59±0.07
	Z4	3.54±0.27	42.43±0.04	2.47±0.04
	Z5	4.51±0.03	046.4±0.02	2.21±0.02
Antioxidants of reference	Vitamin E	0.0195±0.0075	85.14	–
	Ascorbic acid	0.0130±0.0023	00.71	–
	BHA	–	96.00	–
	BHT	–	96.62	–