Abstract:
The carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is an evergreen agro- forestry-pastoral
species typical to the Mediterranean basin with significant socio-economic interests, mainly exploited
for its fruit (pod) that has long served as a source for human and animal nutrition. Nowadays carob
pulp which is a constituent of the fruit knows many applications in food industry including as a Cocoa
substitute in various products and preparations.
Objectives: In this context and in the aim to highlight some of the biochemical compounds of
carob pulp that might be at the origin of it nutritional value, we were interested in a quantitative and
qualitative phytochemical characterization of carob pulp extract.
Methods: Carob pods are dried and decorticated of their seeds in order to obtain the pulp, and
then ground into fine powder. Spectrophotometric assays to determine the Total flavonoids content
according to the colorimetric methods using Aluminum trichloride and HPLC analysis for Quercetin
quantification, were carried out on a methanolic extract of carob pulp powder prepared by maceration.
Results and discussion: The content of total flavonoids was found to be (11,26 Ug QE/Mg DE),
and the HPLC analysis identified the presence of Quercetin in the pulp powder extract with (0.35
mg/ml) concentration. These bioactive compounds based on many advanced researches have proven
to be of a great nutritional and biological importance as antioxidant, antiproliferative …etc. agents.
Conclusion: Given the results of this current study we may justify the significant value of the
carob tree by its variability in term of natural bioactive constituents and we may encourage its
exploitation and application in food and different industries
