Comparative Analysis of Pigments, Phenolics, and Bioactivities of Three CamelliaSpecies Growing in Vietnam

Objective/Background:CamelliaL.,belonging to the Theaceae family, is a diverse group of plant species native to various regions of Asia. Methods:Chlorophyll and carotenoid contents in leaves of three Camelliaspecies, namely Camellia quephongensis, Camellia yokdonensis,and Camellia longii, were determined using a spectrophotometric method. Phenolic compounds of the leaf extracts were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography. Additionally, antioxidant activity, anti-α-amylase and in vitro antiinflammatory properties of the extracts were evaluated. Results:The total carotenoid content in C. longiiwas the highest, whereas the total chlorophyll content in this species was the lowest. Most of the phenolic compounds in C. quephongensiswere found at the greatest concentrations compared to the other species. The extract from C. quephongensisexhibited the strongest antioxidant properties estimated by ABTS and DPPH free radical scavenging assays. This activity was shown to be comparable with that of ascorbic acid. All the Camelliaextracts may possess a much less potent anti-α-amylase activity in comparison with acarbose. They could also be weaker than diclofenac with respect to in vitroanti-inflammatory activity evaluated by albumin denaturation inhibition assay. Conclusions:The findings of this investigation provide the initial insights into pigments and phenolics present in the various Camellia species and pave the way for the development of functional foods that could potentially offer a range of health benefits.