Comparative Study on the Chemical Composition and Biological Activity of Polyphenolic Extracts Obtained from Maclura pomifera (Raf.) C.K. Schneid Bark and Periderm

Literature is limited regarding the potential use of the bark of Maclura pomifera as a source of bioactive compounds. The influence of different extraction methods was assessed for the chemical and biological properties of extracts obtained from the bark and periderm of M. pomifera. The extraction process was completed using three methods: microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and sonicator-assisted extraction (SAE). The extracts were characterized by total polyphenol content. The antioxidant capacity was evaluated using DPPH and ABTS methods, the antimicrobial effect was tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains, and the inhibition of enzyme activity was conducted using α-glucosidase, lipase, and α-amylase assays. The extracts obtained from the periderm exhibited a lower total polyphenolic content compared to those obtained from the bark. The highest antioxidant activity using the DPPH method was observed in the MAE bark extracts and when using the ABTS method, and the highest activity was observed in the UAE bark extracts. Enzymatic activity was most strongly inhibited by the SAE bark extract. The most pronounced antibacterial potential was observed in the MAE and UAE bark extracts, with minimum inhibitory concentration values obtained below 1 mg/mL.