*3.7. Total Flavonoids Content (TF)*

Total flavonoids content was determined by aluminum chloride method as described by Canadanovi´c-Brunet et al. and Baba and Maik [ ˇ 27,45]. 1 mL of each extract was mixed with 4 mL dH2O and 0.3 mL 5% NaNO<sup>2</sup> before incubating the mixture for 5 min. Afterward, 0.3 mL of 10% AlCl<sup>3</sup> was added, and the samples were incubated for 6 min. Later, 2 mL of NaOH (1 mol/L) was added, and the volume completed with dH2O up to 10 mL. The mixture then incubated for 15 min before measuring the absorbance at 510 nm. The total flavonoid value expressed as mg/g of catechin on dry matter basis.
