Abstract
In the present work, we were interested on the one hand in the composition of Tunisian neroli which is essential oil (EO) extracted from Citrus aurantium blossoms and on the other hand in the total phenolic, total flavonoids and total tannins of Citrus aurantium blossoms methanolic extract. We evaluated also the free scavenging activity of this extract. The results showed that the predominant chemical class in Tunisian neroli was represented by oxygenated monoterpenes accounting for 62.9% of whole EO. It was followed by hydrocarbon monoterpenes and aliphatic hydrocarbons whose respective amounts were of 32.6 and 1.5%. The major compound of Citrus aurantium neroli oil was lianalool with a percentage of 25.7%. Total polyphenols were present in the methanolic extract of Citrus aurantium blossom with a quantity of 8.78 mg EAG.g(-1) dry matter. Total flavonoids and total tannins accounted respectively for 4.86 mg EC.g(-1) dry matter and 0.06 mg EC.g(-1) dry matter. Furthermore, concerning free radical scavenging activity, Citrus aurantium blossoms methanolic extract was characterized by a significant IC50 (20 mu g/ml).