Abstract

Objective: To study the phytochemical composition and organoleptic properties of Pistacia lentiscus (L.) (P. lentiscus) from Algeria and to investigate the antioxidant activities of its essential oil and ethanolic extract. Methods: Aerial parts of P. lentiscus were collected at Hammam Melouane (Blida), 50 km from Algiers. Different solvent extractions were made for the preliminary screening of phytochemicals. Additionally, the physicochemical and organoleptic properties of the Algerian variety have been characterized. Moreover, P. lentiscus essential oil and ethanolic extract were studied for their antioxidant potential by ferric reducing power test. Results: Phytochemical screening of P. lentiscus revealed the presence of various biochemicals, including leuco-anthocyanins, condensed tannins, gallic tannins, saponoside, coumarins, and flavonoids, while others were absent (anthocyanins and alcaloids). Essential oil showed lower antioxidant potential compared to the ethanolic extract, reflecting the potential phenolic content responsible for this activity. Conclusions: The present study reveals the presence of various phytochemical classes in P. lentiscus, and the antioxidant experiment shows a good bioactivity of the aerial parts of the Algerian P. lentiscus. The literature review of the essential oil composition shows also important variations due to geographic and environmental conditions. This preliminary investigation will help explore the bioactive compounds of P. lentiscus, and will bring data for a better physicochemical and organoleptic classification of the Algerian variety.

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