What question did this study set out to answer?

To characterize chlorophyll and carotenoid extracts from fruit tree leaves and assess their bioactivity.

March 15, 2026Open Access

Comprehensive profiling of chlorophylls, carotenoids extracts and their derivatives in leaves of fruit tree species and assessment of antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities

Key Points

To characterize chlorophyll and carotenoid extracts from fruit tree leaves and assess their bioactivity.
Characterization of 52 chlorophyll and carotenoid compounds using LC–PDA–ESI/QToF–MS and UPLC–PDA.
Evaluation of antioxidant activity using ABTS and ORAC assays.
Assessment of enzyme inhibitory effects on α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and cholinesterases.
Extracts from pear, peach, and sweet cherry demonstrated the strongest antidiabetic activity.
Chlorophyll derivatives were associated with antioxidant and neuroprotective activities.
Carotenoids were linked to significant antidiabetic effects.

Abstract

This study aimed to characterize the profiles and evaluate the bioactivity potential of chlorophyll- and carotenoid-rich extracts (Ch&C.Ex) obtained from the leaves of eight fruit tree species. A total, 52 compounds and their derivatives including pheophytins, phyllobilins, carotenes and xanthophylls were identified and quantified by LC–PDA–ESI/QToF–MS and UPLC–PDA. The extracts showed antioxidant activity (ABTS, ORAC), and inhibited key enzymes associated with antidiabetic (α-amylase, α-glucosidase, pancreatic lipase), neurodegenerative diseases (AChE, BChE), and inflammation (COX-1, COX-2, 15-LOX). Leaf Ch&C.Ex from pear, peach, and sweet cherry trees exhibited the strongest antidiabetic activity. Multivariate analyses as PCA, heatmap and correlation matrix confirmed that chlorophyll derivatives were strongly associated with antioxidant and neuroprotective activities, while carotenoids correlated with antidiabetic effects. These results suggest that fruit tree leaf are potential source of bioactive compounds, chlorophylls and carotenoids, with possible applications in food and nutraceutical formulation. • Fruit tree leaves are valuable sources of chlorophyll & carotenoid extracts. • Chlorophyll & carotenoid were analysis using liquid chromatography and photodiode detection. • Chlorophyll & carotenoid extracts showed antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities. • Chlorophyll derivatives showed potential for anti-inflammatory effects. • Chlorophyll & carotenoid extracts inhibit cyclooxygenase, lipooxygenase, and cholinesterases.

Read Full Paperexternally

Ask AI

Helpful

Bookmark

View Full Paper