The TPC of the samples was determined according to the Folin– Ciocalteu method (Gutfinger, 1981) with minor modifications, using gallic acid as standard, and results were expressed as mg gallic acid/100 g DW. Briefly, 1 mL of each extracts was mixed with 5 mL of the 10% (w/v) Folin Ciocalteu’s reagent and 4 mL of 7.5% (w/v) sodium carbonate.