Journal of Science Technology and Food 20 (3) (2020) 47-53

EFFECTS OF STORAGE CONDITIONS ON POLYPHENOL

AND TRITERPENOID SAPONIN CONTENT
AND THE ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY OF ETHANOLIC
EXTRACT FROM LEAVES OF Polyscias fruticosa (L.) Harms

Tran Chi Hai*, Nguyen Hong Anh, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Thuy,
Ha Thi Thanh Nga, Le Thi Hong Anh
Ho Chi Minh City University of Food Industry
*Email: haitc@hufi.edu.vn
Received: 4 June 2020; Accepted: 24 July 2020

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of temperatures (5 °C, 30 °C, and 60 °C)
on the concentration of polyphenol and triterpenoid saponin and the antioxidant capacity of
the ethanolic extract from the leaves of Polyscias fruticosa (L.) Harms during storage.
Regression analysis revealed that the antioxidant capacity highly correlated with the content
of polyphenol and triterpenoid saponin. After 30 days, the extract stored at 5 °C showed the
decreases of total triterpenoid saponin, total polyphenol, DPPH free radical scavenging, and
ferric reducing power were 9.55%, 19.81%, 4.18%, and 34.6%, respectively. These values
were lower than those after storage at 30 °C and 60 °C. Thus, storage of the extract at low
temperature (5 oC) will restrict losses of the extract’s bioactivity and improve the quality of
final products.
Keywords: Polyscias fruticosa (L.) Harms, total triterpenoid saponin content, total
polyphenol content, antioxidant capacity, storage temperature.

1. INTRODUCTION

Polyscias fruticosa (L.) Harms belongs to the family Araliaceae and widely distributes
in Vietnam as well as many countries of southeast Asian. In Vietnam, the leaves of this plant
are used as a tonic agent for the treatment of ischemia and inflammation [1, 2]. They are also
eaten as a salad [1]. In the Polyscias fruticosa leaves, the two important groups of biological
compounds are polyphenol and triterpenoid saponin [2, 3]. Some previous studies showed that
the leaf extract of Polyscias fruticosa contains some bioactive components (i.e., alkaloids,
steroid, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, and vitamins) [1, 3]. These components showed
anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and analgesic activities [2, 4, 5].
In recent years, many products of Polyscias fruticosa have been developed and
considered as an alternative medicine [1, 4]. The stability of the bioactive compounds of
Polyscias fruticosa product during processing and storage is a continuous challenge.
According to Nguyen and Hoang [6], the temperature and time of processing have a strong
effect on the stability of the bioactive compounds of the Polyscias fruticosa extract. The total
flavonoid, saponin, and phenolic content significantly decreased with increased temperature
and storage time. These authors also reported that the optimum storage temperature and time
for Polyscias fruticosa herb drink was 4 °C and 6 weeks. Similar results were also reported

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Tran Chi Hai, Nguyen Hong Anh, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Thuy, Ha Thi Thanh Nga, Le Thi Hong Anh

for Polyscias fruticosa dried leaf tea [7]. However, there exists no research on the effect of
storage conditions on the antioxidant activity of the leaf extracts of Polyscias fruticosa.
Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of storage temperature (5 °C,
30 °C, and 60 °C) on total triterpenoid saponin, total polyphenol content, and antioxidant
activity.

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1. Materials

The leaves of Polyscias fruticosa (L.) Harms were collected in Thanh Hoa District,
Long An Province, Vietnam. Then, they were naturally dried, ground, milled, sieved through a
0.3 mm sieve and stored in zip bags. The obtained powder had moisture content of 4.2 ± 0.2%,
protein of 15.6 ± 0.7%, lipid of 7.3 ± 0.3% and carbohydrate of 49.1 ± 1.2%.
Chemicals used were as follows: For the determination of total polyphenol content
(TPC): Folin-Ciocalteu’s phenol reagent (Merck, 2 N), gallic acid (Sigma, 98%); For the
determination of total triterpenoid saponin: Oleanolic acid (Vietnam, 90%), vanilin (Sigma,
99%), perchloric acid (Merck, 70%), acetic acid (Merck, 95%); For the 1,1-Diphenyl-2-
picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay: 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (Sigma,
97%), trolox (Sigma, 97%), ethanol (Merck, 95%); For the Ferric reducing powder assay:
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) (Merck, 99%), potassium hexacyanoferrate (III) (Sigma,
99.98%).

2.2. Methods

2.2.1. Preparation of the ethanolic extract

The sieved Polyscias fruticosa powder (50 grams) was extracted with 1000 mL ethanol
95% for 60 minutes at room temperature. Then, the mixture was centrifuged at 5000 rpm for
15 minutes. The solution obtained after extraction was concentrated in a rotary evaporator at
the temperature of 60 °C with the pressure of 500 mmHg. After preparation, the extract was
stored in the dark at temperatures of 5 °C, 30 °C and 60 °C for 30 days. After each day of
storage, samples were analyzed for their total triterpenoid saponin content, total polyphenol
content and antioxidant activity (including DPPH free radical scavenging and ferric reducing
power).
2.2.2. Determination of total polyphenol content
The total polyphenol content was determined following Vernon et al. (1999) with minor
modifications [5]. Briefly, the extract (0.5 mL) was taken into the test tube and 2.5 mL
Folin- Ciocalteu’s reagent was added to it. The mixture was then mixed and incubated for 5
minutes before adding 2.0 mL of Na2CO3 7.5%. After 1-hour incubation at the ambient
temperature, the absorbance was taken at 765 nm against a blank by using UV-
spectrophotometer/NIR (Shimazu, UV-2600, Japan). The total polyphenol content was
equivalent to the standard gallic acid content in 1 mL extract (μgGAE/mL).
2.2.3. Determination of total triterpenoid saponin content
The total triterpenoid saponin content was determined according to Gao’s method. A
mixture of vanillin-acetic acid (5% w/v, 2 mL) was mixed with 1.2 ml perchloric acid and
kept at 60 °C for 20 minutes. After that, 0.2 mL of the extracts was added to the mixture and
incubated at 70 oC for 15 minutes before adding 5 mL ethyl acetate. The solution was let to
stand for 1 minute in dark place. The absorbance was measured at 548 nm using UV-
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Effects of storage conditions on polyphenol and triterpenoid saponin content …

spectrophotometer/NIR (Shimazu, UV-2600, Japan) and oleanolic acid was used for
comparison. The total triterpenoid saponin content was expressed in mg/mL based on the
calibration curve with the standard oleanolic acid [8].
2.2.4. Determination of antioxidant activity
2.2.4.1. Ferric reducing power assay
Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay measured the total reducing power of
electron donation substances following Oyaizu et al. [9]. 1.0 mL sample was mixed with 2.5 mL
of phosphate buffer pH 6.6 and 0.5 mL 1% of K3(Fe[CN])6 solution. The mixture was then
incubated at 50°C for 20 minutes and let to cool to room temperature. A 2.5 mL 10% of
TCA was added and thoroughly mixed, after that, 2.5 mL of solution was withdrawn and
added 2.5 mL water followed by 0.5 mL of FeCl3 solution. The absorbance of the resulting
Prussian blue solution at 700 nm was measured. Ferric reducing power was expressed based
on the calibration curve with the Trolox standard and the unit was mg Fe3+ reduced by 1 mL
of extract (mgFe3+/mL).
2.2.4.2. DPPH free radical scavenging assay
DPPH free radical scavenging was determined by the method of Fu et al. with some
modification [10]. 1 mL of diluted extract at a suitable concentration was mixed with 5mL
DPPH 30 mM, shaken and incubated for 30 minutes. The absorbance of the resulting
solution at 517 nm was measured. DPPH free radical scavenging was equivalent mg of
Trolox in 1 mL extract (mg Trolox/mL).
2.3. Statistical analysis
All the experiment values were statistically analyzed by Stagraphic centrution XV
(Statsoft Inc., USA). The results were expressed as mean ± SD and a 5% significance was
used in all cases.

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1. Changes of total polyphenol content and correlation between total polyphenol
content and antioxidant activity

Figure 1 shows the result regarding the change of total polyphenol content and its antioxidant
capacity at different temperatures for 30 days. As shown in Figure 1, the total polyphenol content of
the extract storage at 5 oC slightly decreased from 70.15 to 67.81 μgGAE/mL at 14 days,
whereas after 14 days storage at 30 oC and 60 oC, the total phenolic contents reduced rapidly
to 57.63 μgGAE/mL and 52.71 μgGAE/ mL, respectively. However, the polyphenol content
of these extracts did not change much in all temperature conditions and stably remained at the
end of storage (p < 0.05). This result was similar to Zam’s report about the change in polyphenol
content in pomegranate fruit extract at different storage temperatures for 14 days [11]. The
author showed that temperature and storage time affected the total polyphenol content.
Specifically, the change of polyphenol content of the samples stored at low temperature was
significantly lower than those stored at 60 oC and at room temperature.
This observation could be explained by the fact that polyphenols are sensitive
antioxidants, so during storage, some polyphenols may be involved in oxidase reaction to
protect the extract from the attack of oxidizing agent available in the sample. In 14 days,
when the oxygen content was high, polyphenols involved in the reaction led to a significant
decrease in the total polyphenol content. Besides, the study by James et al. reported that the

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Tran Chi Hai, Nguyen Hong Anh, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Thuy, Ha Thi Thanh Nga, Le Thi Hong Anh

rate of reaction was proportional to temperature [12]. The high temperature (60 °C) will
promote the reaction to be faster and more intense than that at the low temperature (5 °C).

(a) (b)
Figure 1. Changes of total polyphenol content during storage at different temperatures (a)
and correlation between total polyphenol and antioxidant activity at 5 oC storage (b)

Figure 2 also showed that FRAP and DPPH decreased with increasing temperature and
storage time. FRAP and DPPH at 5 °C decreased more than 31.45% (3.71 mgFe3+/mL to
2.31 mgFe3+/mL) and 3.41% (1.025 to 0.99 mgFe3+/mL) during 30 days of storage. In
contrast, the decrease for 30 °C and 60 °C storage samples were 34.46% and 49.07%,
respectively, which were significantly higher than those stored at 5 °C. Similarly, DPPH free
radical scavenging also showed a decrease as the temperature and storage time increased.
The phenolic group significantly showed the antioxidant activity proved to be stronger than
vitamin C, E and carotenoids [10 - 17].

(a) (b)
Figure 2. The change of DPPH free radical scavenging (a) and ferric reducing power (b)
in 30 days storage at different temperatures.

The line chart (Figure 1b) showed that DPPH and FRAP followed the change of
polyphenol content. The results illustrated the antioxidant capacity by the DPPH assay
(y = 0.0457x - 1.34543, R2 = 0.9761) was more strongly positively correlated with total polyphenol
content when compared to the ferric reducing power (y = 0.0897x - 2.88943, R2 = 0.9625). Our
results suggested that the antioxidant capacity and the total phenolic content were better

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Effects of storage conditions on polyphenol and triterpenoid saponin content …

reflected by DPPH assay than FRAP assay. The correlation between the total polyphenol and
the antioxidant activity was analyzed in several studies, such as Bambang et al.’s, Kettawan
et al.’s reports on seaweeds also showed that the antioxidant activity had also increased
following by high levels of polyphenol [15, 16]. Thus, these results proved that in order to
retain the highest total polyphenol content and the highest antioxidant activity, the extract
should be kept at as low a temperature as possible.

3.2. Changes of total triterpenoid saponin content and its correlation with the
antioxidant activity

Figure 3 illustrated the reduction of triterpenoid saponin throughout storage at all

temperatures. Specifically, the triterpenoid saponin content of the 5 °C storage samples
showed a slight decrease by 9.55% (1050.12 mg/mL to 949.79 mg/mL) after 30 days, while
those of the 30 °C and 60 oC storage samples decreased sharply by 29.65% (1050.12 mg/mL
to 738.73 mg/mL) and 57.82% (1050.12 mg/mL to 442.94 mg/mL), respectively. This result
was similar to the Du et al.’s study about American Ginseng in 12 weeks of storage at 5 °C,
20 °C, and 30 °C indicating that the total triterpenoid saponin at all temperatures tended to
decrease [17].

(a) (b)

Figure 3. Changes in the total triterpenoid saponin content during storage at different temperatures (a)
and correlation between the total triterpenoid saponin and antioxidant activity at 5 oC storage (b)

This result also illustrated that the sample’s decreasing rate stored at higher
temperatures was higher than that of the low temperature. From 19 days to 30 days of
storage, triterpenoid saponin at 5 oC and 30 oC did not change much, whereas at 60oC it
decreased sharply. Our finding is similar with Du et al., who reported that when the
temperature was over 30 °C, the total triterpenoid saponin in American ginseng decreased by
three- and two-fold, compared to those in 14-day storage at 5 °C and 20 °C, respectively [17].
The line chart (Figure 3b) showed that DPPH and FRAP followed the change of
triterpenoid saponin content at different temperature conditions. As shown in this study, the
extract stored at 5 °C for 30 days had higher DPPH and FRAP value than those stored at 30 °C
and 60 °C. This could be explained by the fact that the high temperature (30 °C and 60 °C)
could increase the reaction of triterpenoid saponin with the presence of oxygen. Besides, the
regression analysis showed that the triterpenoid saponin content was positively correlated with
DPPH and FRAP (R2 > 0.93) (Figure 3b). The results are similar with Bi et al., who documented
a positive correlation between the saponin content and the antioxidant activity [18]. Therefore,

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Tran Chi Hai, Nguyen Hong Anh, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Thuy, Ha Thi Thanh Nga, Le Thi Hong Anh

the high storage temperatures were proven to cause undesired reactions that affect the
triterpenoid saponin and total polyphenol content - two factors strongly influence on the
antioxidant activity of the extract.

4. CONCLUSIONS

This present study clearly showed the strong correlations between the total polyphenol,
total triterpenoid saponin with the antioxidant activity of the Polyscias fruticosa (L.) Harms
extract. The low temperature was chosen to retain most of the total polyphenol, triterpenoid
saponin and bioactivity of the extract.
Acknowledgements: The research was funded by Ho Chi Minh City University of Food
Industry (Contract No. 60/HD-DCT).

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TÓM TẮT

ẢNH HƯỞNG CỦA ĐIỀU KIỆN BẢO QUẢN LÊN HÀM LƯỢNG POLYPHENOL
VÀ SAPONIN TRITERPENOID VÀ KHẢ NĂNG KHÁNG OXY HÓA
CỦA DỊCH CHIẾT ETHANOL TỪ LÁ ĐINH LĂNG Polyscias fruticosa (L.) Harms

Trần Chí Hải*, Nguyễn Hồng Anh, Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Thúy,
Hà Thị Thanh Nga, Lê Thị Hồng Ánh
Trường Đại học Công nghiệp Thực phẩm TP.HCM
*Email: haitc@hufi.edu.vn

Nghiên cứu này đánh giá ảnh hưởng của nhiệt độ (5 oC, 30 oC và 60 oC) lên hàm lượng
polyphenol tổng, hàm lượng triterpenoid saponin tổng và khả năng kháng oxy hóa của dịch
chiết ethanol từ lá đinh lăng Polyscias fruticosa (L.) Harms trong suốt quá trình bảo quản.
Phân tích hồi quy cho thấy khả năng kháng oxy hóa có sự tương quan cao với hàm lượng
polyphenol và triterpenoid saponin. Sau 30 ngày bảo quản ở 5 °C, mức độ giảm của hàm
lượng triterpenoid saponin tổng, polyphenol tổng, khả năng bắt gốc tự do DPPH và năng lực
khử sắt lần lượt là 9,55%, 19,81%, 4,18% và 34,6%. Những giá trị đó thấp hơn so với điều
kiện bảo quản ở nhiệt độ 30 oC và 60 oC. Vì thế, bảo quản dịch chiết ở nhiệt độ thấp sẽ giúp
hạn chế sự thất thoát của các hoạt tính sinh học có trong dịch chiết và cải thiện được chất
lượng của sản phẩm cuối cùng.
Từ khóa: Polyscias fruticosa (L.) Harms, hàm lượng triterpenoid saponin tổng, hàm lượng
polyphenol tổng, khả năng kháng oxy hóa, nhiệt độ bảo quản.

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