Biochemical Characterization of Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica L.) from the Tabarka Region, Tunisia

The valorization of Aromatic and Medicinal Plants (AMPs) represents a strategic priority for countries with rich floristic biodiversity such as Tunisia. Among these plants, Urtica dioica L. (stinging nettle) is a widely distributed species in the Mediterranean basin, known for its multiple traditional, nutritional, agricultural, and therapeutic uses. This study aims to contribute to the conservation and valorization of Urtica dioica by investigating its phytochemical composition. Urtica dioica L. (stinging nettle) is a nutritionally and pharmacologically valuable plant known for its rich biochemical composition and high mineral accumulation capacity. The experimental work focused on the chemical characterization of aqueous extracts obtained from the leaves and stems of Urtica dioica. Phytochemical analyses revealed that the leaves are particularly rich in bioactive compounds, including total phenols (2.3 mg GAE/g DW) and flavonoids (3.3 mg QE/g DW), with higher contents than those found in the stems. In addition, leaves showed higher levels of mineral matter, carbon, phosphorus, lipids, and total nitrogen compared to stems.