Ruta graveolens L. Leaves as a Potential Source of Natural Antioxidants and Phytochemicals

A Study from Msallata, Libya

Abstract

The phytochemical profile and antioxidant capacity of Ruta graveolens L. leaves, collected from Msallata, Libya, are investigated in this study. Four solvents were used to extract the bioactive compounds: petroleum ether, ethanol, water, and chloroform. Moisture, ash, total proteins, total alkaloids, total phenols, total flavonoids, antioxidant activity, and mineral content in the leaves were measured. Ethanol was the extract with the highest extraction efficiency (16.32%) and the highest concentrations of antioxidant activity (6.47 mg/g), total flavonoids (3.77 mg/g), and total phenols (37.65 mg/g). According to phytochemical screening, all extracts lacked saponins but contained proteins, carbohydrates, phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, coumarins, glycosides, steroids, and terpenes. Copper was the least common element, according to mineral analysis, whereas calcium, sodium, and magnesium were the most abundant. Iron was the most prevalent heavy metal, followed by zinc, with the overall order being Ca > Na > Mg > Fe > Zn > Cu. These results show the abundance of bioactive chemicals and natural antioxidants in R. graveolens L. leaves, demonstrating their potential uses in the production of functional foods and health promotion.