Phytochemical, Antioxidant, and Headspace-GC-MS Volatile Profiling of Eryngium foetidum L. Leaves
Abstract
Eryngium foetidum L. (culantro) is an exotic perennial herb valued in traditional medicine and culinary applications, yet empirical research on its utility in food systems remains limited. This study presents an assessment of the phytochemical profile, in vitro antioxidant potential and volatile composition of E. foetidum leaves obtained from Kandala, Southern Kerala, India. Phytochemical profiling confirmed the presence of phenols, coumarins, alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids and terpenoids, primarily in the ethanol, acetone and aqueous extracts. The highest levels of total phenolic content were observed in the ethanol and acetone extracts (38.45 ± 1.49 mg CE/g and 32.84 ± 1.06 mg CE/g, respectively). The ethanol extract also exhibited the maximum reducing power (A700 range: 0.343 ± 0.006 to 0.624 ± 0.012 at 25–200 µg/mL). The acetone extract exhibited the highest total antioxidant capacity (95.64 ± 3.31 mg AAE/g), followed by the ethanol, methanol, aqueous, and chloroform extracts. The rich phytochemical profile and potent antioxidant properties validate the traditional medicinal use of E. foetidum leaves. Headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS) analysis showed that the volatile profile is dominated by long-chain aliphatic aldehydes. The α,β-unsaturated alkenal (E)-2-dodecenal (eryngial) serves as the signature chemotype biomarker, accounting for 68.27% of the total headspace area fraction. Together with its saturated counterpart, dodecanal (9.90%), these compounds constitute 78.17% of the cumulative volatile fraction. The remarkably high (E)-2-dodecenal yield demonstrates the unique genetic profile of this regional ecotype and highlights the effectiveness of headspace sampling in preserving delicate volatile compounds. Therefore, the study concludes that cultivating this Kandala ecotype provides a sustainable, high-yielding bio-resource of commercial significance across the agronomic, functional food, and pharmaceutical sectors.