Fuente: Molecules - Revista científica (MDPI) Molecules, Vol. 31, Pages 1506: Comparative Antioxidant Evaluation and GC-MS Identification of Bioactive Constituents in Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers. Fractions
Molecules doi: 10.3390/molecules31091506
Authors:
Mengyue Wei
Zihan Yu
Wenyi Fang
Yunbin Zhang
Xiaofei Zhou

In this study, five solvent fractions from Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers. fruit were extracted and investigated for their antioxidant profiles. Results showed that the petroleum ether fraction (PEF) and n-butanol fraction (NBF) exhibited prominent free radical scavenging capacities in DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radical assays. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) identified citral as the dominant bioactive component in both active fractions. Further mechanism analysis demonstrated that citral exerted potent antioxidant effects via dual pathways: direct free radical scavenging and transition metal ion chelation. These findings not only elucidate the material basis and molecular mechanism underlying the antioxidant activity of L. cubeba but also provide a scientific rationale for the high-value utilization of citral-rich fractions in functional foods, cosmetics, and healthcare products.