Biochemical Studies on Carob

Nadia Y.A. Attia.1; Ibrahim M. Abd El - Aleem1; Kareem M.K. El Tobgy2 and Hala F. Mohamed2

Abstract

Water, methanol and ethanol were used to extract total phenols, total tannins, and flavonoids from carob (Ceratonia siliqua L) by using different methods. The obtained extracts were used to study their antioxidant activity and their antimicrobial effect against some Gram positive bacteria ( Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenese, Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus cereus), some Gram negative bacteria ( Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia and Salmonella typi) and some fungi ( Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans). Also, carob fiber and water extract were used to study their biological effects against diabetic and hypercholesterolemia in Wister rats. Water extract at 50°C for 20 min showed the highest capacity for extracting total phenols, total tannins and total flavonoids compounds from carob. Methanol extract at 50°C for 20 min and at 25°C for 24 h recorded the highest antioxidant activity. Some carob extracts recorded inhibition for the tested microorganisms except salmonella typhi which did not affected. Administration of carob fiber and water extract showed significant decrement in blood serum glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), urea and creatinine in diabetic and hypercholesterolemia rats while, high density lipoprotein (HDL) elevated. Administration of carob fiber and water extract induced significant increment in white blood cells (WBC) in diabetic groups. While, hypercholesterolemia group administrated with carob fiber showed significant increment in Red blood cells (RBC) count and carob water extract showed increment in RBC count and decrement in WBC count.

Key words

Carob – antioxidant – antimicrobial – lipid profile – liver functions.