Polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of Anthemis cretica L. (Asteraceae)

Flavonoids and phenols are considered to be natural antioxidants present in plant life. Although many of their functions in plant metabolism remain unknown, there is a positive connection between the amount of the 2 compounds in plant material and its antioxidant activity. In our paper, we have analysed root, leaves and flowers of Anthemis cretica L. (Asteraceae), collected in the mountain range of Stara Planina. Plant parts were extracted with 4 different solvents: methanol, ethanol, acetone and water. Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were determined, and antioxidant activity of plant parts was assessed by 4 different methods: DPPH free radical-scavenging assay, ABTS radical-scavenging capacity assay, iron(III) to iron(II) reduction assay (IRA), and cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity assay (CUPRAC). Root samples have demonstrated the highest TPC and TFC, as well as the highest antioxidant activity, when measured by DPPH, ABTS and IRA methods. When CUPRAC method was used, flowers demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity. There was a strong correlation between amount of phenols and flavonoids of a particular plant part and its antioxidant activity. Methanol was the best solvent for extraction of all plant parts.