Qualitative Analysis of Alfalfa Seed Methanol Extract by GC-MS and Determination of Antioxidant Properties

Abstract

Alfalfa plant has a great importance for agriculture in Turkey and throughout the world. Antioxidant activities (DPPH and NO scavenging effects) have been studied from the methanol extraction of the seeds, and organic volatile molecule contents have been analyzed by GC-MS. Physical and chemical analysis of the seed were also carried out to elucidate the structure. As a result of the experiments, a concentration-dependent increase was observed in DPPH and NO scavenging (%) activities from the 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/ml methanol extract concentrations of alfalfa seeds. In GC-MS analysis, it was found that squalene, a pharmacologically active molecule, is present in alfalfa seeds. As a result of chemical and physical analyzes, it was determined that the crude protein content is 33.79% and crude oil is 8.11%. Although alfalfa is widely used in agriculture and as animal bait, this study shows that alfalfa seeds are also pharmacologically crucial for containing rich molecules.