Total phenolic content and radical scavenging activity of Carthamus tinctorius L.

Total phenolic contents, total flavonoid content, DPPH radical scavenging activities, ABTS radical scavenging activities, reducing power activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, H2O2 scavenging activity and superoxide radical scavening activity were assayed for Safflower's leaf, sead and petals. Results of total phenolic measurement, obtained total phenolic content as gallic asid equivalent was detected in between 35,33-276 mg/mL. The highest phenolic content was found for soxhlet extract of leaves. Total flavonoid content of extracts was also detected as phenolic content. The results were mesured as catechin equivalent in between 5,16 – 97,41 mg/mL. The total flavonoid contents of flavonoid matter which petal extracts (92,9 mg/mL) and soxhlet leaf extracts (97,41 mg/mL), were really close to each other and have the highest value. Durring the determination of DPPH radical scavenging activity, ascorbic acid and troloks were used as standard. Petal extracts activity has been found higher that other two standard. Leaf extract which was obtained by soxhlet method, had shown the highest activity in the ABTS radical scavenging method. It has been determined that during the determination of reductive power, petal extracts and leaf extracts which have been gathered by soxhlet extraction, had higher activity than a-tokoferol which were used as standard. It has been determined that during the determination of Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, the extracts which have been gathered, had the activity level which can be compared with standards. During the H2O2 scavenging activities, flower extracts shown %20 activity. During superoxide radical scavenging activity, petal extracts has shown the highest capacity on radical scavenging. Keywords : Safflower, Carthamus tinctorius L., Phenolic content, Antioxidant