Antioxidant potential, mineral composition and inhibitory effects of conifer needle extract on hyaluronidase - prospects of application in functional food

Conifers have long been used as a source of compounds with therapeutic and health-promoting potential, as well as raw materials containing characteristic aromatic and flavour substances. The aim of this study was to characterise the mineral composition of the needles of selected conifers, i.e. Picea abies L., Larix decidua Mill., Pinus sylvestris L., Pseudotsuga menziesii and Juniperus communis L., Abies alba Mill., and to evaluate them as a source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant and inhibitory activity against hyaluronidase evaluated by an in vitro method. The highest total mineral content was found in Abies alba Mill., Pseudotsuga menziesii, while extracts obtained from Picea abies L. and Larix decidua Mill. were characterised by the highest content of phenolic compounds. Extracts from the needles of Larix decidua Mill. showed the highest antioxidant activity in DPPH and FRAP radical assays. The presence of tannins, terpenoids, saponins and coumarins was demonstrated in all the extracts tested by qualitative screening tests. Conifer needles, i.e. needles of Picea abies L., Larix decidua Mill, Abies alba, Pinus sylvestris L., Pseudotsuga menziesii and Juniperus communis L., can be a valuable and ecological source of polyphenols and minerals.