(Poly)phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of white (Morus alba) and black (Morus nigra) mulberry leaves: Their potential for new products rich in phytochemicals

• Mulberry leaves are being revalorised attending to their phytochemical composition.
• Eight different clones from Morus alba and Morus nigra species were studied.
• The most complete evaluation of the phenolic profile of mulberry leaves to date.
• A huge intra-species variability in the phytochemical profile was noted.
• These data are critical for the development of rich-in-bioactives mulberry products.

The (poly)phenolic fingerprint and antioxidant activities of the leaves of white and black mulberry clones grown in Spain, one of the main European producers, were evaluated for the first time in order to examine their phytochemical potential. Data showed that mulberry leaves are rich in caffeoylquinic acids (6.8–8.5 mg/g dw) and flavonols (3.7–9.8 mg/g dw). It was also evidenced that a wide intra-species variability existed according to principal component analysis. These results can be useful for value-added utilisation of this underused vegetal matrix by the food/pharma industries. In addition, owing to their (poly)phenolic composition with proven biological activities, these data can serve as starting point for further nutritional studies with mulberry leaf-derived products.