## 4 Discussion
A main strength of this work was the evaluation of the phenolic profiles across species and seasons, since these are molecules of antioxidant [11; 47] and anthelmintic interest [15; 16; 23; 49] for ruminant animals. The seasonal dynamics assessment of the phenolic profile and antioxidant properties presented herein targets a bidirectional approach: It complements the nutraceutical evaluation of these plants, aiming at their use as bioactive plants, and prospects extracts as phytotherapeutic products while identifying the optimal time of harvesting for maximizing their production. As evidenced in the individual and combined data (PCA and RACI, Figures 5 and 6), phenolic accumulation and antioxidant effects varied in a species-specific manner. Indeed, based on these results, Wi was identified as the optimal harvesting period for _P. Ientiscus_ and _P. coronopus_, whilst Su samples were the best performing regarding _L. monopetatum_, _C. mariscus_, and _H. italicum_. The individual chromatograms of these five most promising samples obtained through HPLC-DAD analysis were quite distinct due to the chemical complexity of the extracts and, again, species-related differences. _P. lentiscus_ was rich in ourateacatechin (**16**), gentisic acid (**4**), epicatechin (**15**), gallic acid (**1**), and vanillic acid (**9**), consistent with the findings comprehensively reviewed by [PERSON] et al. [50] in different works, which summarized a diverse range of phenolics in this species, encompassing various classes such as flavonoids, flavonoids, flavanols, flavones, flavonoid glycosyles, myricetin derivatives, anthocyanins, catechins, and phenolic acids, along with their derivatives [50]. The _H. italicum picardii_ (Su) sample had higher contents of chlorogenic acid (**10**), neochlorogenic acid (**3**), epicatechin (**15**), ourateacatechin (**16**), salicylic acid (**22**), and luteolin-7-O-glucoside (**24**). Using LC-MS, [PERSON] and colleagues (2017a) mainly detected quinic and chlorogenic acids, syringic acid, caffeic acid, astragalain, hyperin, and oleanolic acids in the decoctions and infusions of aerial organs and the flowers of _H. italicum picardii_ collected in the same location during June 2013 [51]. _L. monopetalum_ (Su) accumulated caffeic acid (**12**), gallic acid (**1**), gentisic acid (**4**), chlorogenic acid (**10**), 3-hydroxybenzoic acid (**8**), and 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid (**11**). Working with the same species, [PERSON] et al. (2012) [52] quantified eleven phenolics (gallic, p-hydroxybenzoic, chlorogenic, syringic, vanillic, ferulic, and trans-cinnamic acids, quercetin, apigenin, amentoflavone, and flavone) in leaf extracts after acidic hydrolysis from Tunisian plants collected in May 2006. The samples from the species _P. coronopus_ (Wi) mainly contained gentisic acid (**4**), salicylic acid (**22**), and luteolin-7-O-glucoside (**24**). Compounds 2-4, 8, 14, 16-17, 23, and 26-28 were not detected previously in the work of [PERSON] and colleagues (2017b), while, in reverse versacoside, apigenin and the aglycone luteolin were not identified herein (Table 1) [53]. In ruminant production, oxidative stress, i.e., imbalances in the production of reactive oxygen species, is mostly associated with inflammatory disorders, parasitic infections, reproductive events, dietary imbalances, and environmental challenges (e.g., heat stress [47], impairing animal health, welfare, and productivity and being particularly impactful at vulnerable stages (e.g., young animals). It is recognized that dietary antioxidants improve the animal's overall antioxidant status, thereby supporting immune functions, bolstering resilience to stressful events, and helping prevent diseases, ultimately resulting in the improved growth and quality of their derived products [54]. In this context, identifying and characterizing novel plant resources that are naturally rich in antioxidants are of utmost relevance, as these can offer significant nutritional and health benefits for ruminants while contributing to more sustainable farming practices.