The total flavonoid content (TFC) was evaluated using the method described by Chang et al. [35 (link)]. The plant extracts were mixed with 0.2 mL 10% aluminum chloride, 3.0 mL ethanol, 0.2 mL 1 M sodium acetate, and 5.2 mL water. After 30 min, the absorbance was measured at 415 nm.
The total proanthocyanidin content (TPA) was determined using the method described by Żurek et al. [36 (link)]. The plant extracts were mixed with 3 mL n-BuOH with 35% HCl (95:5) and 0.1 mL of 2% iron (III) ammonium sulfate in 2 M HCl. The samples were incubated at 95 °C for 45 min, then cooled and the absorbance was measured at 550 nm.
The results of TPC, TFC, and TPA contents were expressed in mg equivalent of gallic acid per g of dw (mg GAE/100 g dw), mg equivalent of quercetin (mg QE/100 g dw), and mg equivalent of cyanidin chloride (mg CYE/100 g dw), respectively.