Polyphenol characterization in Azolla filiculoides after drying and enzymatic hydrolysis processes

Abstract

Azolla filiculoides is an aquatic fern with the potential to become a source of raw materials in a biorefinery system, e.g., a source of soluble and insoluble carbohydrates, proteins, carotenoids, and polyphenols. The fiber chemical content was determined as cellulose (19.2% dry basis) and hemicellulose (7.6% dry basis) content. Azolla has no lignin as a cell wall structure material. Cellulase treatment showed no effect in ethanolic extraction, but polyphenols were found in the enzyme solution at the end of the reaction. The phenolic acids and flavonoids contents of those with health promoting activity were determined, with gallic, syringic, rosmarinic, and p-coumaric the most abundant acids; kaempferol, apigenin, and quercetin were the most abundant flavonoids. The results show that A. filiculoides is a valuable source of bioactive components and cellulosic materials.