Characterization of Extracts from the Bark of the Gabon Hazel Tree (Coula edulis baill) for Antioxidant, Antifungal and Anti-termite Products

Chemical composition of the bark extracts ofCoula eduliswas inves-tigated tofind potential antioxidant, anti-termite and antifungal compounds whichcanfind useful applications in thefields food, nutraceuticals, cosmetics or agro-chemical. Phytochemical screening revealed presence several groups ofactive molecules such as alkaloids, polyphenols,flavonoids, saponins sterolsand/or terpenes different extracts. Total phenols, condensed tannins andfla-vonoids contents corroborated phytochemical screening. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis dichloromethaneextract from those obtained with all other solvents. Hexadecanoicand trans-9-octadecenoic acids, well stigmasterol andβ-sitosterol have beenidentified major dichloromethane extract. Extractsobtained acetone toluene/ethanol mixture (2/1, v/v) indicated pre-sence few amounts fatty acids sugars, catechin small amount andhuge phenolic like gallic ellagic acids. The radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyle (DPPH) cationic 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS+) were used for evaluation antioxidantproperties had a very lowantioxidant activity, while presented EC50values similar to BHT reference antioxidant com-pounds. Effect ofC. edulison fungal growthinhibition better inhibition mycelium growth brown rot fungicompared white fungi. Low activities recorded theaqueous extracts, stronger dichloromethane,acetone