Abstract:
The aim of this study was to demonstrate the potential of extracts from Algerian Thymus munbyanus as a valuable
source of antioxidants for use on an industrial level. To this end, a study was conducted on the composition and
antioxidant activities of essential oils (EOs), pressurized liquid extracts (PLE) and supercritical fluid extracts
(SFE-CO2) obtained from Thymus munbyanus subsp. coloratus (TMC) and subsp. munbyanus (TMM). EOs and SFECO2
extracts were analysed by GC-FID and GC×GC-TOFMS revealing significant differences. A successive extraction
of the solid SFE-CO2 residue by PLE extraction with solvents of increasing polarity such as acetone,
ethanol and water, was carried out. The extracts were evaluated for total phenolic content by Folin–Ciocalteu
assay, while the antioxidant power was assessed by DPPH, FRAP, and ORAC assays. SFE-CO2 extracts were also
analysed for their tocopherol content. The antioxidant activity of PLE extracts was found to be higher than that
of SFE-CO2 extracts, and this increased with solvent polarity (water > ethanol > acetone). Overall, these results
support the use of T. munbyanus as a valuable source of substances to be used on an industrial level as
preservative agents.
