Chemical characterization of the Rosmarinus officinalis L. aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts in terms of phenolic compounds

Abstract

Since the primitive societies, plants have received great attention due to the benefits they bring to human health. In particular, some plant species, in addition to their aromatic characteristics, provide natural sources of several bioactive molecules including phenolic compounds, which have been associated with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, among others. In this work, Rosmarinus officinalis L. samples provided by Cantinho das Aromáticas Lda. (Vila Nova de Gaia) were studied. Aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts were prepared and chemically characterized by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS. The aqueous extract showed a higher content in total phenolic compounds as also in each of the individual compounds, in comparison to the hydroethanolic extract. Rosmarinic acid was the most abundant compound present in both extracts.