Variability in the chemical composition and phenolic compounds of wild Tunisian populations of Nitraria retusa (Forssk.) Asch. and study of their antioxidant properties

Six wild populations of Nitraria retusa growing in Tunisia (Mehdia, Mtorech, Kataena, Matmata, Bechima, and Tataouine) were evaluated for their mineral contents, phytochemical composition, phenols content and antioxidants activity. The preliminary composition revealed the presence of phenolic compounds such as flavonoids, sterols terpenes free quinones. Analysis showed poverty of N. retusa populations K, Mg Ca. levels polyphenols important, they varied from 107.497 ± 7.97 to 186.64 17.56 mg EAG/g DW among Ketaena respectively. flavonoids vary 25.63±3.61 42.59±1.57 ER/g DW. Good antioxidant activities by DPPH test. population Mahdia highest activity (IC50=1.64±1.42 µg/ml). The principal components analysis performed on different parameters 6 N. analyzed revealed that structure was clearly isolated subdivided into four distinct groups not according bioclimate.   Key words: Antioxidants DPPH, Nitraria retusa, mineral content, phytochemical, composition, phenols, Tunisien.&nbsp