Free radical scavenging properties and phenolic characterization of some edible plants

Antioxidant activity of the ethanolic extracts of the fruits of Fritillaria pontica Wahlenb. (Liliaceae), Euonymus latifolius (L.) Mill. ssp. latifolius (Celastraceae), and Vicia sativa L. ssp. nigra (L) Ehrh. var. nigra L. (Fabaceae), the aerial parts of Turritis laxa (Sibth & Sm.) Hayek (Brassicaceae), Vicia cracca L (Fabaceae), and Oxyria digyna (L) Hill. (Polygonaceae) was screened by 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays at 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg ml(-1) concentrations. Total phenolic contents of the extracts were determined using Folin-Ciocalteau reagent. T. laxa was also tested for its anti-acetylcholinesterase activity. The extracts were analyzed by LC-DAD-MS for their flavonoid content and the ethanolic extract of T laxa has been found to contain rutin in appreciable amounts (7.63 +/- 0.2%). Rutin and hyperoside were detected qualitatively in F. pontica, where vitexin was identified in O. digyna. it was also the most active in the antioxidant tests. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.