Investigation of Phytochemical and Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities from Abies Extract

Algerian fir (Abies numidica de Lannoy) is an endemic evergreen tree belonging to the Pinaceae family. Little is known about this plant, and few papers have been reported, despite its traditional uses. The objectives of this study were to investigate the chemical composition of n-butanol extract from A. numidica leaves as well as to evaluate its biological activities (antibacterial and antioxidant). The total phenolics and total flavonoids were found in high amounts (381.15±22.70µg GAE/ml; 49.79±2.81 µg QE /ml, respectively). The data of the antibacterial effect showed a potential inhibitory zone, especially against Proteus vulgaris (17.5±0.70 mm). The antioxidant activity findings disclosed that this fraction has a moderate radical scavenging power and metal chelating ability, compared with the standards used. The liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) analysis results showed that the major compounds presented in this extract were hyperoside (399.91µg/g), astragalin (147.22 µg/g) and rutin (102.62 µg/g). Thus, A. numidica leaves were suggested as being useful to prevent free radicals and bacterial infections diseases.

Testing of Algerian fir zygotic and somatic embryos on defence reactions in vitro

Defence reactions of desiccated cotyledonary somatic embryos and mature zygotic embryos of Abies numidica were tested by dual cultures with tester, fungus Phaeolus schweinitzii. Both types of embryos expressed defence reactions. Mutual comparisons of zygotic and somatic embryos showed important differences between defence reactions against mycelial growth towards these embryos. Greater defence reactions were observed in zygotic embryos relative to defence found in somatic embryos.