Sophora flavescens Seed as a promising high potential by-product: Phytochemical characterization and bioactivity evaluation

Abstract The traditional Chinese medicine Kushen ( Radix Sophorae flavescentis ) is medicinally used for the subterraneous root leaving the stems, leaves and seeds as a major industrial waste. The application value of the Sophora flavescens seed is worth of attention. Herein, it was intended to characterize the mature S. flavescens seed for their phytochemicals composition in alkaloids, fatty acids, polysaccharide, protein, nucleosides and nucleobases. In addition, their bioactivities such as antioxidant and antimicrobial activity were also evaluated through different in vitro biochemical assays. The mature S. flavescens seed is rich in alkaloids, linoleic acid and crude protein, which exhibit excellent antibacterial, antioxidant activity and nutritional value. The phytochemical profiles and the bioactivities of S. flavescens seed endorse it a promising resource, which could be utilized in pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food industry as the raw material.