Chemical Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of Mountain Pine (Pinus mugo Turra, Pinaceae) from Republic of Macedonia

Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of essential oils and methanol extracts of needles of Pinus mugo native to R. Macedonia were investigated. Plant material was collected on Karadzica Mountain during two seasons. Essential oil was obtained by steam distillation and was analyzed by GC/FID/MS. 8 major constituents were identified: D 3 -carene, a -pinene, limonene+ b -phellandrene, germacrene D, trans-caryophyllene, d -cadinene, bicyclogermacrene and a -cadinol. Identification of flavonoids and phenolic compounds in methanol extracts was made by LC-DAD/ESI-MS n. 14 compounds were identified (2 phenolic acids, 2 procyanidins, 7 flavonol glycosides and 3 flavonol acylated glycosides). Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were measured by Folin-Ciocalteau and aluminum chloride assay, respectively. TPC and TFC values ranged from 11.41-12.17 mgGAE/g and from 4.65-6.03 mgCE/g for dried plant material, respectively. Evaluation of antioxidant activity was made using DPPH and TBARS test. IC 50 values for the methanol extract ranged from 11.58-16.01 mg/mL for DPPH and from 9.41-15.76 mg/mL for TBARS assay. IC 50 values for the essential oil ranged from 2.51-4.26 mg/mL and 2.59-4.14 mg/mL for DPPH and TBARS assay, respectively. The needles from Macedonian P. mugo could be considered as a potential plant source for isolation of essential oil as well as flavonoids and other phenolics as they exhibit promising antioxidant activity. Additionally, f urther investigation and evaluation of chemical composition as well as biological activity should be done in order to provide more data for their possible medicinal, pharmaceutical and commercial utilization.