Screening the Antioxidant Components and Antioxidant Activitiy of Extracts Derived from Five Varieties of Edible Spring Flowers

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the in vitro antioxidant potentials and the antioxidant components of 80% ethanolic extracts prepared from five edible spring flowers. The contents of total phenols (14.1-18.9 mg gallic acid equivalents/g of dry weight; DW), flavonoids (0.3-4.9 mg catechin equivalents), total carotenoids (1.9-578.1 µg β-carotene equivalents), and proanthocyanidins (2.8-23.5 mg catechin equivalents), were determined by spectrophotometry. In addition, the content of ascorbic acid (0.71-1.31 mg) was determined using HPLC with UV detection. All varieties of the flower examined showed antioxidant potential (1.2-46.1 mM Trolox equivalents/g DW), which was measured by the radical scavenging activity and the reducing power. Of the five flowers analyzed, Prunus avium L. showed the highest antioxidant activity. A strong correlation was found between the ascorbic acid (r 2 =0.75), flavonoids (r 2 =0.71), and total phenolic content (r 2 =0.64) and the antioxidant parameters, suggesting that these components are likely significant contributors to the antioxidant capacity of the five spring flowers.

<i>In vitro</i> antioxidative activity of moss extract, and effect of moss on serum lipid level of mice fed with high-fat diet

“…While direct comparisons of these results to other mosses are not currently possible, a variety of studies evaluating the effects of various plant extracts [18][19][20][21][22] are available. The polyphenol contents of teas prepared from domestic esculent plants, such as black tea, ginseng tea, and green tea have been reported to be 101.51, 28.30, and 94.90 μg/mg, respectively [19].…”

“…An alternative study evaluating kohlrabi and radish sprouts exhibited higher antioxidative activities, as determined by both DPPH and ABST assays [21]. Ethanol extracts of five edible spring flowers in Korea such as Forsythia koreana Nakai, Rhododendron mucronulatum Turcz., Prunus avium, Magnolia lilyflora, and Magnolia denudate have been reported high antioxidative activity, which are 12.8 to 46.1 mM Trolox/mg ABTS activity, 1.2 to 43.3 mM Trolox/mg DPPH activity, and 4.1 to 35.4 mM Trolox/mg FRAP activity, respectively [20]. Similarly, an extract derived from Perilla frutescens sprouts was shown to exhibit potent anti-oxidative properties, including the ability to effectively scavenge DPPH and ABTS radicals, anti-inflammatory activity, and antiemetic effects [22].…”