Physico-chemical analysis and antioxidant activity of Moroccan caper leaves (Capparis Spinosa L.)

The caper is a thorny shrub, a plant very widespread in the countries of the Mediterranean basin. In Morocco it is widely cultivated in three main regions, the city of Taounate, the city of Safi and Tardounate, also in several other regions in a spontaneous state. In this study the objective is to study the caper genus (Capparis spinosa L.) belonging to the family Capparidaceae, a genus of Cappris grown in the city of Safi in Morocco, which contains more than 350 species used for different purposes, especially as condiment, medicine, ornamental and cosmetic. The evaluation of the physico-chemical characteristics, phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of the leaves the caper (Capparis spinose L.) in comparison with its fruit, the analysis showed the interest of caper leaves bioactives that are similar to those of caper, which shows the possibility of valorisation as a condiment in different dishes, or food compliment. The quantification of the polyphenolic compounds and the evaluation of the antioxidant activity revealed an interest in the therapeutic virtues similar to the capers of the fruit, approximately 8.48 mgEqAG/g of polyphenols, 1.05 g/ml Chlorophyll (a), 0.77 g/ml Chlorophyll (b), Total carotenoids 0.10 g/ml, Total phyophitins 0.7 g/ml, 0.3% of essential oils and an average reducing power of EC50 of 13.8 mg/ ml for antioxidant activity.