## 3 Results and Discussion
### Characterization of The Composition of the Elderberry Stalks lipophilic Fraction  
Elderberry stalks presented a dichloromethane extraction yield of 2.2% dw. The lipophilic extract of elderberry stalks was studied in detail by GC-MS analysis. Lipophilic compounds were identified as their trimethylsilyl derivatives after the derivatization of the lipophilic extract. The identification of the main lipophilic compounds and their quantification is summarized in Table 2. Nineteen compounds, particularly fatty acids, long-chain aliphatic alcohols, sterols, triterpene compounds and minor amounts of other compounds, were identified when comparing the fragmentation profile of the TMS derivatives both with libraries and other studies as well as the injection of standards [44; 45; 46; 47; 48]. In general, the lipophilic extract was mainly composed of triterpene acids, accounting for 70.4% of all identified lipophilic compounds, followed by fatty acids with 17.3%, phytosterols with 7.0%, long-chain aliphatic alcohols with 1.2% and lately others with 4.1%. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c} \hline \hline
**Mineral** &
\begin{tabular}{c} **Concentration** \\ **(mg/100 g dw)** \\ \end{tabular} & **DRI (mg) [41]** \\ \hline Ca & 497 \(\pm\) 5 & 800 \\ Fe & 6.5 \(\pm\) 0.1 & 14 \\ K & 2000 \(\pm\) 200 & 2000 \\ Mg & 110 \(\pm\) 11 & 375 \\ Na & 14 \(\pm\) 1.4 & 6000 \\ Zn & 2.53 \(\pm\) 0.05 & 10 \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular} Results represent the mean \(\pm\) standard deviation (\(n\) = 3).  
\end{table} 
Table 1: Elderberry stalks’ essential minerals content and their respective dietary reference intakes (DRIs). Dichloromethane extract of elderberry stalks showed to be mainly composed of triterpene acids (132.52 mg g\({}^{-1}\) extract), accounting for 2902.20 mg kg\({}^{-1}\) dw. Ursolic (2265.83 mg kg\({}^{-1}\) dw) and oleanolic acids (636.37 mg kg\({}^{-1}\) dw) were the only triterpene compounds detected. A vast range of biological activities and health benefits have been addressed to these compounds. Ursolic acid is well-known for its antioxidant activity, antiviral, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antiarthritic and anti-ulcerous properties, apart from the demonstrated effective properties against cancer and as hepatoprotective [49]. Oleanolic acid, has also shown worthy hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects and has also been reported to have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities [50]. Fatty acids, both saturated and unsaturated, were the second most abundant family of compounds detected in the lipophilic fraction of elderberry stalks. Palmitic acid (hexadecenoic acid) (219.85 mg kg\({}^{-1}\) dw) was the most abundant saturated fatty acid, followed by triacentanoic (151.98 mg kg\({}^{-1}\) dw) and octadecanoic acids (85.24 mg kg\({}^{-1}\) dw). On the other hand, octadeca-9,12-dienoic (60.38 mg kg\({}^{-1}\) dw) and octadeca-9,12,15-trienoic acids (33.60 mg kg\({}^{-1}\) dw), which are omega-6 and omega-3, respectively, were the most abundant unsaturated fatty acids detected. These are associated with aiding to reduce triacylglycerol level levels and have been pointed as beneficial in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases [51].