2.5. Colourimetric analysis of total phenols
The total phenolic content of the extract in standard batcheswas
determined following the method of Singleton and Rossi (1965),
using the FolineCiocalteu phenol reagent. The absorbance at
l ¼ 760 nmwas determined at room temperature using a Cary UV/
Vis spectrophotometer (Varian, Palo Alto, CA, USA). Quantification
was based on a standard curve generated using gallic acid. The
results were expressed as mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dry
weight (dw) of the extract ± standard deviation (SD).