Abstract
Phytoprostanes and phytofurans are derived from peroxidation of α-linolenic acid (ALA) the main polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) found in higher plants. These compounds are considered as excellent biomarkers of oxidative degradation and have demonstrated a wide range of biological activities (e.g. protection of neuronal cells against stress, anti-inflammatory). In the present work, these new active oxylipins, were detected for the first time in Acacia cyanophylla seeds collected in Tunisia from 7 ecotypes, using LC-MS/MS technology. The main PhytoP found was ent-9-L1-PhytoP, ranged from 3.30 ng/g (N-OB ecotype) to 19.14 ng/g (B-ZO ecotype). Three PhytoFs were detected with significantly higher values than PhytoPs. Multivariate analyses indicated a significant differentiation between compounds attributed to variation in climatic factors. This first complete PhytoP and PhytoF profile shows that Acacia cyanophylla Lindl. seeds could be as a new source of bioactive compounds for therapeutic and pharmaceutical applications.