Published in Scientific Papers. Series B, Horticulture, Volume LXII
Written by Otilia BOBIS, Daniel Severus DEZMIREAN, Liviu Alexandru MĂRGHITAŞ, Victoriţa BONTA, Adriana URCAN, Claudia PAŞCA, Adela Ramona MOISE
Besides supplying food for silkworm rearing, initiation of a mulberry plantation is an important business, which may bring important income in rural areas. Plants of the genus Morus are known to be a rich source of bioactive compounds from flavonoids and phenolic acids, compounds with known antioxidant and other benefic properties. The aim of the present study was the characterization of mulberry extracts (from leaves and fruits) regarding their chemical composition and determination of some bioactive properties of the mentioned matrices. Sugar profile, total protein and lipid content, total phenolics and flavonoids, mineral composition and aminoacid profile were determined. Mulberry leaves are important protein sources (being the principal feed for silkworm) and also important source of free aminoacids, including the essential ones. 25 free aminoacids (aa), were identified and quantified by internal standard method using LC-MS and EZ: faast Phenomenex kit. The main aa were alanine (144 mg/100g) and Gama-aminobutiric acid (153 mg/100g). The main minerals from mulberry extracts were: iron, zinc and calcium. Total identified simple sugars ranged between 8 and 13% and lipid content between 0.5 to 1.5%.
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