Résumé:
A staple of the Mediterranean diet, citrus fruits include lemons, oranges, pummelos and grapefruits. Nutritionally speaking, these fruits are mainly perceived for their vitamin C content and associated antioxidant action. However, regular consumption of these citrus fruits can help maintain an optimal health balance and prevent certain conditions associated with oxidation and inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the phytochemical profile of methanolic extracts of two citrus species, Citrus aurantiifolia (Lime) and Citrus sinensis (Sweet Orange) from Mostaganem. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of the two extracts were quantified using the Folin-Ciocalteu method and the aluminum trichloride (AlCl3) colorimetric method respectively. In addition, antioxidant capacity was assessed using the DPPH radical scavenging method. Results for total phenolic compounds in the methanolic extracts of the citrus fruits studied showed that C. sinensis is richer in phenolic compounds (661.4±0,001 ug EAG/g extract) than C. aurantiifolia (285.2±0,001 ug EAG/g extract). On the other hand, the methanolic extract of lime juice revealed a higher concentration of flavonoids, with a value of 57.8±0,001 μg Eq/mg extract, compared with the orange juice extract, which showed a lower flavonoid concentration, with a value of 25.7±0,001 μg Eq/mg extract. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of the Citrus extracts studied revealed a high antioxidant potential with high inhibition percentages, reaching respectively 94.33% for C. sinensis and 83.06% for C.aurantiifolia obtained with a concentration of 1000 μg/mg water-methanol extract. These observations suggest that orange and lime juice extracts are good sources of potential antioxidants. Their regular consumption may help maintain an oxidative balance in the body and promote overall good health
