Exploring regional variation: Antioxidant potential of Lycium barbarum L. samples collected across Iraq

Lycium barbarum, popularly known as Goji berries, is revered for its exceptional properties as a superplant, owing to the abundance of minerals and bioactive chemicals present in its fruits and leaves. Throughout history, several Asian countries, particularly China, have integrated Lycium barbarum (hereafter referred to as L. barbarum) into their traditional medicinal and nutritional practices. This widespread adoption is primarily due to the vital role played by the active components found in L. barbarum extracts, such as carotenoids, flavonoids, and polysaccharides, which exhibit notable efficacy in preventing various chronic ailments, including age-related macular degeneration. This study seeks to explore the impact of ultrasound-assisted extraction, in comparison to the remaceration extraction method, on the antioxidant activity of L. barbarum fruits and leaves obtained from three distinct cities in Iraq. The findings of this investigation hold significant promise for expanding our understanding of the optimal extraction technique for maximizing the antioxidant potential of L.barbarum, thus contributing to the potential development of novel applications in the medical and nutritional sectors.