Abstract

This study investigates the phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of flower buds from three wild caper species (Capparis atlantica, Capparis ovata, and Capparis sicula) collected from twelve populations across the Safi, Rif, and Fès-Meknès regions of Morocco. Aqueous extracts were subjected to qualitative phytochemical screening and quantitative assays of polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins, followed by evaluation of antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) tests. The results revealed a marked abundance of polyphenols and flavonoids, with significant variability among species and sites. C. sicula exhibited the highest contents of polyphenols (50.07 mg GAE/g) and flavonoids (20.41 mg QE/g), while C. ovata recorded the highest tannin concentration (2.41 milligrams catechin equivalent per gram of extract (mg CE/g)). Antioxidant activity followed a similar trend, with C. sicula showing the lowest inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values in both DPPH (361.16 μg/mL) and ABTS (359.75 μg/mL) assays, indicating the strongest radical scavenging potential. A strong negative correlation between polyphenol/flavonoid content and IC₅₀ values confirmed the key role of these compounds in antioxidant activity. Overall, these findings highlight the bioactive potential of the studied Capparis species and their promising applications in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical fields.

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