Antioxidant activity, phenolic and flavonoid content in leaves, flowers, stems and seeds of mallow (Malva sylvestris L.) from North Western of Algeria

The nutraceutical composition (phenolics and flavonoids) of all leaves, flowers, stems and seeds of mallow, Malva sylvestris L., as well as their antioxidant properties were studied using in vitro methods: ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, by scavenging of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) based on the reduction of molybdenum (VI) to molybdenum (V). Results show that all extracts possessed concentration-dependant antioxidant activity. Leaf extracts have a highest amount of total phenolics with 24.123 ± 0.718 mg GAE/g, and total flavonoids with 0.694 ± 0.017 mg RE/100 g. However, the seed extracts presented the lowest amount in the two assays used. In addition, the AcOEt (EC50 = 3.10 mg/ml) fraction showed the highest value of antioxidant activities for almost all parts of leaves.   Key words: Malva sylvestris L., antioxidant activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC).