Determination of total antioxidant capacity and total phenolic compounds of Helianthus annuus L. growing in Turkey

Abstract

L- Ascorbic acid (AA: vitamin C) is the most important vitamin for human nutrition supplied by fruits and vegetables and is the main water-soluble antioxidant in human plasma. AA is reversibly oxidized to form dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) which also exhibits biological activity. As a potent antioxidant, AA scavenges reactive oxygen species including superoxide, protects isolated LDL against oxidative modification and plays an important role in the regulation of intracellular redox status. Helianthus Annuus L. is also a good source of manganese, magnesium, copper, tryptophan, phosphorous, zinc, selenium, foliate, iron, potassium, calcium, vitamin E, thiamine, vitamin B1, niacin, riboflavin, vitamin B5, vitamin B6 and traces of Vitamin C. The aim of this study was to measure antioxidant capacity and total phenolic compounds of Helianthus Annuus L., collected from different regions by using CERAC (ceric reducing antioxidant capacity) and CUPRAC (cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity) method. The results of total antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds were found in the range of 0.012-0.254 mmol AA/g and 1043-1120 mg GA/100g