# Bioactivity and Compound Identification in Extracts from Three Australian Populations of Portulaca oleracea: Full NMR Structural Characterisation of Oleracein Australis 1

## TL;DR

This study compares antioxidant properties of three Australian Purslane varieties and identifies a new bioactive compound, oleracein australis 1.

## Contribution

First full NMR structural characterization of oleracein australis 1 and evidence of higher bioactivity in Australian Purslane populations.

## Key findings

- Omega Gold and Omega Red roots had ten times higher total phenolic content than Common Purslane roots.
- Oleracein australis 1 was purified and characterized using 1D and 2D NMR for the first time.
- Australian Purslane populations showed superior antioxidant activity compared to Common Purslane.

## Abstract

Three Australian populations of Portulaca oleracea—Common Purslane, Omega Gold and Omega Red—were grown under identical conditions, separated into portions—leaf, bud, stem and root—and their extracts tested for total phenolic content (TPC), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), ferric-reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP), and for antioxidant activity against hydroperoxides and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in a linoleic acid emulsion. Highest TPC was found in Omega Gold and Omega Red roots, with 31.1 and 36.5 mg gallic acid equivalents per gram dry weight (mg GAE/g DW), respectively, being ten times higher than for Common Purslane roots (3.1 mg GAE/g DW). Other plant portions were generally higher for Omega Gold and Omega Red, though with much less difference, i.e., <2-fold variation. Results from other antioxidant tests paralleled those of TPC. Online monitoring of antioxidant activity via post-column reaction with [2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] (ABTS●+), revealed a peak with significant activity. Purification of the compound responsible yielded oleracein australis 1, and 1D and 2D NMR data are presented for the first time. The results of this study show that Australian populations of P. oleracea are high in bioactivity and may be superior to the internationally recognised medicinal plant, Common Purslane.