Abstract
The main aim of this study was the characterization of coriander essential oil. The major volatile compounds in coriander seed essential oil were linalool, γ-terpinene, α-pinene, camphor, decanal geranyl acetate, limonene, geraniol, camphene, and D-limonene, while the major volatile compounds identified in coriander leaves essential oil were (E)-2-decenal, linalool, (E)-2-dodecenal, (E)-2-tetradecenal, 2-decen-1-ol, (E)-2-undecenal, dodecanal, (E)-2-tridecenal, (E)-2-hexadecenal, pentadecenal, and α-pinene. The essential oil from coriander seeds showed significant radical scavenging activity (66.48 ± 0.80%) at a concentration of 500 μg in comparison with essential oil of coriander leaves (56.73 ± 1.82%). Methanol extracts of both seed and leaves showed the significant radical scavenging activity (64.40 ± 0.81%) and (72.19 ± 0.64%) at 500 μg/mL, respectively, in comparison with the n-hexane extracts, which were (52.67 ± 2.05%) and (60.80 ± 1.01%), respectively, at a concentration of 500 μg/mL. Reducing power results showed that at a concentration from 100-500 μg, coriander seed essential oil gave the absorbance (0.734 ± 1.146), while coriander leaves essential oil gave the absorbance (0.815 ± 1.274). While in non-volatile extracts, the maximum value reached 0.796 ± 0.01 for methanol extract of coriander leaves and for seeds is 0.593 ± 0.04, while the maximum value for n-hexane extract of coriander seeds was 0.624 ± 0.01 and leaves was 0.734 ± 0.04 at a concentration of 500 μg/mL. Our study suggested that coriander seeds and leaves may be used as a potential source of food flavoring and antioxidants.