Phenolic compounds characterization and antioxidant activities of selected spices from Cameroon.

Methanol extracts of five spices fromCameroonwere analyzed for their phytochemical composition and antioxidant
activities. The Xylopia aethiopica extract with the highest total phenolics and flavonoids contents showed a
strongest antioxidant activity compared to tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) using both the 1,1-diphenyl-2-
picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)-diammoniumsalt (ABTS) radicals
scavenging assay. The identification and quantification of major phenolics acids and flavonoids was carried
out by HPLC-DAD. T-cinnamic acid and ferulic acid was the phenolic acids mainly distributed within the methanolic
extracts analyzed. Sinapic acid was identified at low concentration only in Ricinodendron heudelotii. The
common flavonoids catechin and epicatechin were detected with highest concentration in Xylopia aethiopica
extract. Eugenol was identified at high concentration (125.39–1326.29 μg/g) in all extracts. The results of the
present study suggest that the extracts analyzed, particularly Xylopia aethiopica and Aframomum citratum are
potential sources of natural antioxidants agents.