Phytochemical analysis and bioactivity assessment of <i>Ferula longipes</i> Coss. ex Bonn. &amp;Maury. methanolic extract: insights into antioxidant, and anti-corrosive properties

Abstract

This study presents the first analysis of the polyphenolic profile and evaluation of antioxidant and anti-corrosive properties of the methanolic extract from <i>Ferula longipes</i> Coss. ex Bonn. & Maury. Using LC-MS/MS, significant bioactive compounds were identified, notably including quercetin-3-D-xyloside (643.10 mg/g), <i>trans</i>-ferulic acid (632.05 mg/g), quercetin-3-glucoside (425.74 mg/g), and -hyperoside (310.21 mg/g). Total polyphenol content reached 111.94 ± 1.63 µg GAE/mg extract, and total flavonoid content was 47.85 ± 0.077 µg QE/mg extract. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH• radical scavenging, ABTS•+ radical cation scavenging, FRAP, phenanthroline, and SNP assays. Notable IC₅₀ values were observed for DPPH• scavenging (247.13 ± 3.76 µg/mL), ABTS•+ scavenging (120.57 ± 2.60 µg/mL), and in the phenanthroline assay (84.07 ± 1.28 µg/mL), although lower efficacy was noted in the FRAP and SNP assays compared to standards (Trolox and ascorbic acid). The extract also demonstrated high anti-corrosive efficiency, achieving inhibition rates of 91.2% for aluminium, 82.7% for steel, and 72.3% for zinc electrodes in 0.5 M HCl. This protection is attributed to the adsorption of phytochemicals onto the metal surfaces, forming a protective interfacial layer. These findings highlight the potential of <i>F. longipes</i> as a natural source of antioxidants and plant-derived, surface-active corrosion inhibitors for potential industrial applications.