Antioxidant activities of Molokhia (Corchorus olitorius L.) extracts

Abstract

Corchorus olitorius L. (Molokhia) (Tiliaceae), collected from the Doganci, Güzelyurt, Northern Cyprus, infusion and extracts with different polarities have been studied for their polyphenolic contents and antioxidant activities. Total phenolic content was determined spectrometrically according to the Folin-Ciocalteu method and calculated as gallic acid equivalents (GAE). Antioxidant activitiy was studied in an aqueous emulsion system of ß-carotene and linoleic acid by measuring the absorbance of the samples. The free radical-scavenging properties were also evaluated against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl radical (DPPH•). Results were compared those of an synthetic antioxidant, BHT. Antioxidant effects were correlated with the total amount of phenolic compounds contained in the extracts. In all these cases higher antioxidant activity was seen in the samples with higher phenolic content