Abstract:
Background and Objectives: Baobab pulp is widely used nowadays for its richness in bioactive compounds. Recent studies have shown that the bioactive composition and biological activities of plants can be improved by splitting the powder. However, the granulometric class with the most concentration of bioactive compounds varies from one plant to another. This work aimed at evaluating the effect of particle size of Adansonia digitata pulp powder on its antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic activities. Materials and Methods: Three particle size classes, <50 μm, 100-50 μm and >100 μm, were obtained by the Comminution and controlled Differential Screening method (CDS-extraction) and were studied. The phenolic content, In vitro antioxidant activity of different granulometric classes were evaluated by DPPH, ABTS and power reducing tests were carried out. The in vivo antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic properties were evaluated by hyperlipidemia induction in rats. Results: We found that the highest phenolic contents and in vitro antioxidant activity were obtained for the <50 μm fraction. This fraction mostly reduced the level of Malondialdehyde (MDA) and increased the activity of Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase significantly (p<0.05) in plasma and various organs of rats as compared to the unsieved powder. Maximum reduction in Triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-C as well as the greatest increase in HDL-C was also observed with this fraction. Conclusion: This study revealed that phenolic content and these activities increased with the decrease in particle size. A significant correlation was then observed between the content of phenolic compounds and the biological activities. Fraction <50 μm could therefore be used in the nutraceutical industry for the formulation of new products with a higher value in bioactive compounds.