Supercritical fluid extraction and hydrodistillation for the recovery of bioactive compounds from Lavandula viridis L’Hér

The chemical profiles of bioactive essential oil and extracts obtained by hydrodistillation (HD) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), respectively, from Lavandula viridis were compared. The SFE was performed at 40 °C and at extraction pressures of 12 or 18 MPa in two different separators. Evaluation of the essential oil and SFE extracts by GC–FID and GC–IT–MS revealed that oxygen-containing monoterpenes were the major constituents in both cases, but there were important differences between the chemical profiles produced by the different extraction techniques. More compounds were isolated by HD but higher yields were achieved by SFE. Camphor was the main component identified in the essential oil (31.59 ± 1.32%), and in extracts from the first (1.61 ± 0.34%) and second SFE separators (22.48 ± 1.49%) at 12 MPa. In contrast, the first separator SFE extract at 18 MPa (heavy compounds) was dominated by myrtenol (5.38 ± 2.04%) and camphor (4.81 ± 1.93%), whereas the second separator SFE extract (volatiles) was dominated by verbenone (13.97 ± 5.27%). The essential oil and heavy compound extracts from the first separator possessed antioxidant and anti-cholinesterase activities. Our data show that phytochemicals from the aerial parts of L. viridis could be developed as natural antioxidant and anti-cholinesterase drugs, with particular applications in the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.     

Effects of supercritical fluid extraction parameters on lycopene yield and antioxidant activity

The effects of various parameters of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO₂) fluid extractions of tomato skins on the extraction yields and antioxidant activities of lycopene-rich extracts were investigated. A Box–Behnken design was applied to study the effects of three independent variables (temperature ranging from 40 to 100 °C, pressure ranging from 20 to 40 MPa, and flow rate ranging from 1.0 to 2.0 mL/min) on lycopene yield. The model showed good agreement with the experimental results, by the coefficient of determination (r² = 0.9834). Temperature, pressure, and the quadratic term for the temperature of SC-CO₂ extraction were large significantly positive factors affecting lycopene yield (P < 0.05). The maximum total lycopene content of 31.25 μg/g of raw tomato was extracted at the highest temperature of 100 °C, 40 MPa and 1.5 mL/min. TEAC assay was applied to assess the antioxidant activity of lycopene-rich extracts from SC-CO₂ fluid extraction. The effects of SC-CO₂ fluid extraction parameters on the antioxidant activities of the extracts differed with the yield. For each unit of lycopene extract, the antioxidant activity level was constant below 70 °C, but then gradually decreased above 70 °C due to isomerization occurring as a result of the higher temperature. The ratio of all-trans-lycopene to the cis-isomers changed from 1.70 to 1.32 when the operating temperature was adjusted from 40 to 100 °C, indicating an increased bioavailability due to the generation of the cis-isomers. No significant effects of pressure or flow rate of SC-CO₂ fluid extraction on the antioxidant activity were observed.     

Supercritical carbon dioxide fluid extraction of Hibiscus cannabinus L. seed oil: A potential solvent-free and high antioxidative edible oil

The supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) trends and antioxidant activities of Hibiscus cannabinus seed oils were studied. SFE results indicate that extraction pressure is the major factor determining the oil yield. In comparison, classic Soxhlet extraction (SOX/L) yielded higher oil content than SFE (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences in oil content were observed in SFE at 600 bars/80 °C, rapid Soxhlet extraction (SOX/S) and conventional ultra-sonic assisted solvent extraction (SONIC) (P > 0.05). Antioxidant activities of H. cannabinus seed oils were compared with 7 types of commercial edible oils. DPPH scavenging activity test indicated that H. cannabinus seed oil extracted by SFE at 200 bars/80 °C possessed the highest antiradical activity whereas beta-carotene bleaching (BCB) assay revealed that all H. cannabinus seed oils (except for SFE at 400 bars/80 °C and 600 bars/80 °C) exhibited higher antioxidant activity than all commercial edible oils (P < 0.05). Thus, SFE – H. cannabinus seed oil may serve as an excellent source of solvent-free edible oil with high antioxidant properties.     

Optimisation of accelerated solvent extraction of antioxidant compounds from rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), marjoram (Origanum majorana L.) and oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) using response surface methodology

The present study optimised the accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) conditions (Dionex ASE® 200, USA) to maximise the antioxidant capacity of the extracts from three spices of Lamiaceae family; rosemary, oregano and marjoram. Optimised conditions with regard to extraction temperature (66–129 °C) and solvent concentration (32–88% methanol) were identified using response surface methodology (RSM). For all three spices results showed that 129 °C was the optimum temperature in order to obtain extracts with high antioxidant activity. Optimal methanol concentrations with respect to the antioxidant activity of rosemary and marjoram extracts were 56% and 57% respectively. Oregano showed a different response to the effect of methanol concentration and was optimally extracted at 33%. The antioxidant activity yields of the optimal ASE extracts were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than solid/liquid extracts. The predicted models were highly significant (p < 0.05) for both total phenol (TP) and ferric reducing antioxidant property (FRAP) values in all the spices with high regression coefficients (R²) ranging from 0.952 to 0.999.     

Optimisation of microwave-assisted enzymatic extraction of corilagin and geraniin from Geranium sibiricum Linne and evaluation of antioxidant activity

Plant polyphenols exhibit effective bio-activities, particularly antioxidant activities. Previous studies showed that Geranium sibiricum Linne contains high levels of polyphenolic compounds such as corilagin (CG) and geraniin (GE). In this study, a microwave-assisted enzymatic extraction (MAEE) method was evaluated for the simultaneous extraction of CG and GE only with deionised water. The optimal extraction conditions were as follows: irradiation power 500 W, ratio of solvent to material 40 ml/g, irradiation temperature 33 °C, pH 5.2, amount of cellulase 3600 U/g and irradiation time 9 min. Under these conditions, the extraction yields of CG and GE achieved were 6.79 and 19.82 mg/g, which increased by 64.01% and 72.95%, respectively, as compared with the control ones. Furthermore, the antioxidant activities of crude extracts were 2.61 mmol FeSO₄/g DW and 0.118 mg/ml (IC₅₀), according to the FRAP and DPPH assays, which indicated G. sibiricum Linne possesses good potential for natural antioxidants.     

Lycopene-rich fractions derived from pink guava by-product and their potential activity towards hydrogen peroxide-induced cellular and DNA damage

Effects of solvent and supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO₂) extraction on antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of lycopene-rich fractions of decanted pink guava by-product (decanter) were determined with lycopene-equivalent antioxidant capacity, β-carotene bleaching and MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assays. Extraction with SC-CO₂ gave a higher yield than solvent extraction (3.15 vs. 0.68 mg/100 g dried decanter, corresponding to 42.99 and 33.63 mg of lycopene). No cytotoxicity was found in Chang liver cells supplemented with either extracts (6.25–200 μg/ml). Solvent extract at 25 μg/ml (2.32 μM lycopene) and SC-CO₂ extract at 200 μg/ml (5.09 μM lycopene) had protective effect against hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity. However, only high concentrations of solvent extract (200 μg/ml; lycopene = 18.65 μM) or lycopene standard (10 μM) protected cells against DNA damage. Supercritical fluid extraction demonstrated a higher yield in lycopene-rich fraction from decanter. These fractions have the potential to be developed as a functional ingredient to prevent oxidative stress and other related diseases.     

Optimization of the extraction of flavanols and anthocyanins from the fruit pulp of Euterpe edulis using the response surface methodology

The response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the ultrasound extraction of flavanols and anthocyanins from the pulp of jussara (Euterpe edulis), using a second-order polynomial equation to describe the experimental data for total flavanol (TF), total phenolic (TP), and total monomeric anthocyanin (TMA) contents, as well as the total antioxidant activity (TAA). A central composite design with two-variables (extraction time and solid to liquid ratio) was then applied. The optimized conditions that maximized the yields of flavanol-enriched extract were a solvent methanol/0.1 M HCl, solid to liquid ratio of between 1:50 and 1:100 and extraction time of 15 min. For anthocyanin-enriched extracts the respective optimal parameters were a solvent methanol/1.5 M HCl, solid to liquid ratio of between 1:30 and 1:50 and extraction time of 24 h. The results showed good fits with the proposed model for both the flavanol-enriched extract (R² = 0.94) and for the anthocyanin-enriched extract (R² = 0.99).     

Determination of lutein and zeaxanthin and antioxidant capacity of supercritical carbon dioxide extract from daylily (Hemerocallis disticha)

Lutein and zeaxanthin were extracted from daylily (Hemerocallis disticha) flowers using supercritical fluid extraction-carbon dioxide (SFE-CO₂) at a temperature range of 50–95 °C and pressure range of 300–600 bar. The extracts were analysed by HPLC with a C30 column and an isocratic solvent system: methanol/methyl-tert-butyl ether = 86/14 (v/v). Moreover, the antioxidant capacities of the extracts were evaluated by a 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay and a chemiluminescence assay to measure the scavenging activity of hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion and hydroxyl radical. The optimal lutein and zeaxanthin extraction could be achieved at 80 °C and 600 bar, and the extraction pressure was the most important parameter for SFE-CO₂. In addition, the extracts had significantly higher antioxidant activities in all antioxidant assays.     

Antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of wild bitter melon (Momordica charantia Linn. var. abbreviata Ser.) in Taiwan

Momordica charantia Linn. var. abbreviata Ser. (Cucurbitaceae), also known as “Shan Ku Gua”, is a wild variety of bitter melon (BM) in Taiwan. The size of its fruits is only about one-fifth of the commonly seen BM. It is commonly consumed as vegetable and also used as a popular folk medicine. In this study, the antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of BM aqueous (BM-H₂O) and ethanol (BM-EtOH) extracts were evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), metal chelation, cytochrome c and xanthine oxidase inhibition (XOI) assays, as well as FeCl₂-ascorbic acid induced lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARS) assay in rat liver homogenates in vitro. Total flavonoid and phenol contents of BM extracts were also analyzed. Results showed that both BM-H₂O (IC₅₀=129.94 μg/ml) and BM-EtOH (IC₅₀=156.78 μg/ml) possess potent DPPH radical scavenging activity, which was better than vitamin E (IC₅₀=172.21 μg/ml). These extracts also showed better iron chelating activity than vitamin E. However, they were weaker than vitamin E in free radical scavenging, xanthine oxidase inhibitory and anti-lipid peroxidation activities. With the exception of XOI activity [IC₅₀=7.90 μg/ml (BM-H₂O) vs. 7.69 μg/ml (BM-EtOH)], BM-H₂O showed a lower IC₅₀ value in free radical scavenging [IC₅₀=6.15 μg/ml (BM-H₂O) vs. 7.08 μg/ml (BM-EtOH)] and anti-lipid peroxidation [IC₅₀=53.72 μg/ml (BM-H₂O) vs. 88.51 μg/ml (BM-EtOH) for liver; 82.53 μg/ml (BM-H₂O) vs. 91.83 μg/ml (BM-EtOH) for brain] activities than BM-EtOH. Both BM extracts showed a weak anti-lipid peroxidation activity in plasma. BM-H₂O (62.0 mg/g) possessed a significant higher concentration of total flavonoids than BM-EtOH (44.0 mg/g), but was lower in the total phenol content (BM-H₂O: 51.6 mg/g vs. BM-EtOH: 68.8 mg/g). In conclusion, BM extracts possess potent antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities. These antioxidant activities could have contributed, at least partly, to the therapeutic benefits of the certain traditional claims of wild BM.     

The protective ability of Mediterranean dietary plants against the oxidative damage: The role of radical oxygen species in inflammation and the polyphenol,flavonoid and sterol contents

Ten hydroalcoholic extracts of edible plants from the Calabria region (Italy) were evaluated for their in vitro antioxidant and antiradical properties and in vivo topical anti-inflammatory activity. All the extracts had radical-scavenging and/or antioxidant properties, the most active plants being hawkweed oxtongue and viper’s bugloss. The best free radical (DPPH·)-scavenging activity was found in hawkweed oxtongue and chicory leaves extracts (IC₅₀ = 25 and 26 μg/ml, respectively). Hawkweed oxtongue, poppy and viper’s bugloss extracts showed the greatest inhibition of linoleic acid oxidation (IC₅₀ = 3 μg/ml). Viper’s bugloss and hawkweed oxtongue extracts had the greatest antioxidant effect on bovine brain peroxidation (IC₅₀ = 11 and 22 μg/ml). All the extracts also showed an anti-inflammatory effect: 300 μg/cm² provoked oedema reductions ranging from 18% to 43%. Cress was the most active plant. Chicory leaves contained the highest amount of phenolics (190 mg/g) whilst Rush crimps contained the highest amount of flavonoids (32.9 mg/g), followed by hawkweed oxtongue (15.8 mg/g). Cress contained the highest number of sterols. Among them, γ-sitosterol (12.2%) and ergost-5-en-3-ol (3β) (4.5%) were found to be the major constituents. Moreover, three of the identified molecules (stigmasta-5,23-dien-3β-ol, stigmasta-5,24(28)-dien-3-ol (3β,22E) and 9,19-cyclolanost-24-en-3-ol (3β)) were found in this plant only.     

Extraction of alkylresorcinols from wheat bran with supercritical CO2

The supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of wheat bran alkylresorcinols has been studied. Extractions were carried out at 40.0 MPa. The effect of particle size, static extraction pretreatment with supercritical CO₂ (SC-CO₂) and extraction temperature on the extraction kinetics was investigated. The extraction yield increased as the particle size decreased and with temperature. Extraction curves present a faster and linear initial extraction period followed by a slower extraction period. Based on these results the approximate mathematical model of Sovová was successfully applied to describe the extraction curves. The total content of alkylresorcinols was determined and compared with the alkylresorcinol content obtained by conventional organic solvent extraction. Due to the amphiphilic nature of these resorcinolic lipids, the extraction yield was higher for polar organic solvents than for SC-CO₂. Characterization of supercritical extracts was also performed by determining the fatty acid composition and antioxidant activity.     

Supercriticial fluid extraction of flavors and fragrances from Hyssopus officinalis L. cultivated in Iran

Hyssopus officinalis L. (hyssop) as a food ingredient has its own importance in flavor industry and also in sauce formulations. Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of hyssop, cultivated in Iran, was performed at various pressures, temperatures, extraction (dynamic and static) times and modifier (methanol) concentrations using an orthogonal array design with an OA₂₅(5⁵) matrix conditions. Pressure, temperature and modifier in the SFE system influenced the extraction yield. Also, the composition of the extracted oils was greatly impacted by the operating conditions. Main components of the extracts under different SFE conditions were sabinene (4.2–17.1%, w/w), iso-pinocamphene (0.9–16.5%) and pinocamphene (0.7–13.6%). The extraction of sabinene, for example, was favored at 100 atm, 55 °C, 1.5% (v/v) methanol, 30 min dynamic time and 35 min static time. Use of SFE under different conditions can allow targeting the extraction of different constituents.     

Cytoprotective and pro-apoptotic activities of native Australian herbs polyphenolic-rich extracts

Three commercially grown native herbs unique to Australia, Tasmannia pepper leaf (Tasmannia lanceolata R. Br., Winteracea; TPL), anise myrtle (Syzygium anisatum Vickery, Craven & Biffen, Myrtaceae; AM) and lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora F. Muell, Myrtaceae; LM) as well as a reference sample bay leaf (Laurus nobilis L., Lauraceae; BL) were examined for potential cytoprotective properties. All native herbs exhibited greater cellular antioxidant activity as measured by the cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) assay than bay leaf and reduced the hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) induced death of hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells by 25–50%. All herb extracts reduced the proliferation of colon (HT-29; IC₅₀ = 0.75–1.39 mg/ml), stomach (AGS; IC₅₀ = 0.59–1.88 mg/ml), bladder (BL13; IC₅₀ = 0.56–1.12 mg/ml) and liver (HepG2; IC₅₀ = 0.38–1.36 mg/ml) cancer cells. No significant reduction of cell viability of non-transformed colon (CCD-18Co; IC₅₀ > 2.0 mg/ml) and mixed stomach and intestine (Hs 738.St/Int; IC₅₀ > 2.0 mg/ml) cells was observed. Flow cytometry analysis and the results of the cytokinesis block micronucleus cytome (CBMNCyt) assay conducted with respectively, promyelocytic leukaemia (HL-60) and colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29) cells suggest an increase in apoptosis following treatment with the herb extracts. The occurrence of apoptotic cells coincided with an increase in caspase-3 enzyme activity. The results of the CBMNCyt assay suggested no direct DNA damage in colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29) cells as a result of treatment with all extracts, applied at final concentrations of 0.5 and 1.0 mg/ml.     

Antioxidant properties of aqueous extracts from Terminalia catappa leaves

Aqueous extracts were prepared from green, yellow fallen and red fallen leaves of Terminalia catappa L. (Combretaceae) and their antioxidant activity, scavenging and chelating abilities were evaluated. Aqueous extracts from three different leaves showed high antioxidant activities and moderate scavenging abilities on hydroxyl radicals at 1 mg/ml. EC₅₀ values in antioxidant activity were 0.549-0.557 mg/ml whereas those in scavenging ability on hydroxyl radicals were 0.631-0.686 mg/ml for aqueous extracts prepared from three leaves with boiling water for 3 min. EC50 values in reducing power were 0.15-0.23 mg/ml. EC50 values in scavenging abilities on superoxide anion and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydryl radicals were 0.36-0.44 and 10.4-35.3 mg/ml, respectively. EC50 values in chelating abilities on ferrous and cupric ions were 0.41-2.50 and 8.96-9.89 mg/ml, respectively. Based on the results obtained, the aqueous extracts displayed higher antioxidant properties. Six phenolic compounds identified in the aqueous were p-hydroxybenzoic acid, 4-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid, m-coumaric acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, p-coumaric acid and gallic acid. Therefore, the aqueous extracts from three different leaves of T. catappa might be a potential antioxidant supplement for application in food products or as a drink.     

Evaluation of antioxidant activity of some plant extracts and their heat,pH and storage stability

In the present study, three plant foods, namely, drumstick leaves (Moringa oleifera), mint leaves (Mentha spicata) and carrot tuber (Daucus carota) were extracted with ethanol and analyzed for their antioxidant activity. The antioxidant activity of extracts was evaluated according to the amount of malonaldehyde (MDA) formed by the FeSO₄-induced oxidation of linoleic acid and a high PUFA oil (sunflower oil) at 37 °C in Trizma-buffer (pH 7.4). At a concentration of 1.5 mg/ml of linoleic acid ,the extracts from drumstick and carrot had a higher antioxidant activity (83% and 80%) than α-tocopherol (72%). In sunflower oil, the extracts from drumstick leaves and mint leaves were found to exhibit a similar activity( 46% and 44%). The extract from drumstick exhibited the highest activity in both lipid systems. In addition, the stability of extracts to pH (4 and 9) and temperature (100 °C, 15 min) was investigated. The antioxidant activity of the extracts from mint leaves and carrot was higher at pH 9 than pH 4, while that of drumstick extract remained the same under both pH conditions. The extract from carrot was more heat-stable than other extracts. The three extracts stored in the dark at 5 and 25 °C after a 15 day period did not show any significant change (p ? 0.05) in their antioxidant activity. These data indicate that selected plant extracts are potential sources of dietary antioxidants.     

Antioxidant properties of three extracts from Pleurotus citrinopileatus

Pleurotus citrinopileatus Sing. (Lentinaceae) was successfully cultivated and commercially available in Taiwan. The ethanolic, cold and hot water extracts were prepared from P. citrinopileatus fruit bodies, mycelia and fermentation filtrate and their antioxidant properties studied. For three samples, ethanolic extracts exhibited higher antioxidant activities than water extracts. Reducing powers of three extracts from fruit bodies were effective and 1.03-1.10 at 5 mg/ml. With regard to EC₅₀ values of scavenging abilities on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals, the effectiveness was in a descending order: ethanolic>hot water>cold water extracts. Scavenging abilities of water extracts from three samples on hydroxyl radicals were 53.4-80.1% at 20 mg/ml. Chelating abilities of cold and hot water extracts on ferrous ions were higher than those of ethanolic extracts. Contents of total phenols were in the descending order: fruit bodies (8.62-12.38 mg/g)>mycelia (5.84-7.85 mg/g)>filtrate (4.80-5.57 mg/g). Overall, three extracts from fruit bodies were more effective in antioxidant properties assayed than those from mycelia and filtrate. Ethanolic extracts were more effective in antioxidant properties assayed, except for scavenging abilities on hydroxyl radicals.     

Screening of antioxidative properties of the methanolic extracts of Pelargonium endlicherianum Fenzl., Verbascum wiedemannianum Fisch. & Mey., Sideritis libanotica Labill. subsp. linearis (Bentham) Borm., Centaurea mucronifera DC. and Hieracium cappadocicum Freyn from Turkish flora

Five extracts from five plants, of which four are endemic to Turkish flora, were screened for their possible in vitro antioxidant activities by two complementary test systems, namely DPPH free radical-scavenging and β-carotene/linoleic acid. In the first case, Pelargonium endlicherianum extract exerted greater antioxidant activity than those of other plant extracts studied with an IC₅₀ value of 7.43 ± 0.47 μg/ml, followed by Hieracium cappadocicum (30.0 ± 0.14 μg/ml). When compared to the synthetic antioxidant BHT (18.0 ± 0.40 μg/ml), the methanolic extract of P. endlicherianum exhibited more than two fold greater antioxidant activity. In the β-carotene/linoleic acid test system, the most active plant was P. endlicherianum with 72.6% ± 2.96 inhibition rate, followed by H. cappadocicum (55.1% ± 2.33) and Verbascum wiedemannianum (52.5% ± 3.11). Antioxidant activities of curcumin and ascorbic acid were also determined as positive controls in parallel experiments.     

Comparison of essential oils of clove buds extracted with supercritical carbon dioxide and other three traditional extraction methods

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of essential oil from clove buds with CO₂ was explored. The effect of different parameters, such as temperature (30 °C, 40 °C, 50 °C), pressure(10 MPa, 20 MPa, 30 MPa) and particle size (three degree index), on the extraction yield and the content of eugenol in extracts was investigated using three-level orthogonal array design. The experimental results show that the temperature has the largest effect on the eugenol content of the extracts, and particle size has the maximum effect on the oil yield. The essential oil of 19.56% yield, in which the maximum content of eugenol in extracts is 58.77%, can be extracted from clove buds at pressure of 10 MPa and temperature of 50 °C. Essential oil of clove buds obtained by SFE, hydrodistillation, steam distillation and Soxhlet extraction were further analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometric detection to compare the extraction methods. Twenty three compounds in the clove oils have been identified, showing that the composition of the clove oil extracted by different methods is mostly similar, whereas relative concentration of the identified compounds is apparently different. General characteristics of the clove oils obtained by different methods were further compared, and SFE is considered as the optimum process among the four processes for obtaining clove oil with high quality.     

Screening of the antioxidant potentials of six Salvia species from Turkey

This study was designed to examine the in vitro antioxidant activities of the methanol extracts of six Salvia species [Salvia caespitosa Montbret & Aucher ex Bentham (ENDEMIC), Salvia hypargeia Fisch. & Mey. (ENDEMIC), Salvia euphratica subsp. euphratica Montbret & Aucher ex Bentham (ENDEMIC), Salvia sclarea L., Salvia candidissima subsp. candidissima Montbret & Aucher ex Bentham and Salvia aethiopis L.] from Turkey. The extracts were screened for their possible antioxidant activities by two complementary test systems, namely DPPH free radical-scavenging and β-carotene/linoleic acid systems. Non-polar subfractions of the methanol extracts of Salvia species studied did not show any antioxidant activity in both test systems. In the first case, the most active plant was S. euphratica subsp. euphratica, an endemic species, with an IC₅₀ value of 20.7 ± 1.22 μg/ml, followed by S. sclarea (IC₅₀ = 23.4 ± 0.97 μg/ml) among the polar subfractions. In the β-carotene/linoleic acid test system, polar extract of S. hypargeia was superior to the polar extracts of other Salvia species studied (69.2% ± 1.90%). This activity was followed by S. sclarea with 63.5% ± 4.24% inhibition rate. The inhibition rate of the synthetic antioxidant, buthylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), was also determined to be 96%. Since the polar extracts of Salvia species dealt with here exhibited excellent antioxidant activities when compared to BHT, it seems possible to keep perishable fat-containing food longer by direct addition of an extract of sage.