Evaluation of antioxidant activities of rosehip ethanol extracts in different test systems

Rosehip extracts of 18 samples representing six taxa in the genus Rosa were evaluated for antioxidant activities by use of different test systems. The ferric‐reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and Trolox‐equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) of the crude extracts ranged from 983.4 to 2187.1 µmol FRAP g⁻¹ dry matter and from 457.2 to 626.2 µmol TEAC g⁻¹ dry matter. The high antioxidant capacity was related to high contents of phytonutrients. The overall mean of antioxidants was 23.23 mg g⁻¹ total carotenoids and 76.26 mg g⁻¹ total phenolics. The phenolic component made a major contribution to the total antioxidant activities in both assays (overall mean was 90.5% and 75.7%), whereas the ascorbate made a minor contribution (8.6% and 16.9%) and the lipophilic component made an even smaller one (0.9% and 7.3%). However, the lipophilic component was the most effective when the comparison was based on the ratio of antioxidant activity to content of antioxidants. The crude extracts exhibited 50.9% (46.6–60.3%) inhibitory effect against the lipid peroxidation induced by 2,2′‐azobis(2,4‐dimethylvaleronitrile) (AMVN) and 85.0% (80.1–90.2%) inhibition in 2,2′‐azobis(2‐amidinopropane)hydrochloride (AAPH) assay at a concentration of 250 µg ml ⁻¹. Ascorbate acted as an antioxidant in both peroxy radical‐induced lipid peroxidations, but as a pro‐oxidant in the metal ion‐induced lipid peroxidation. The crude extracts showed a large inhibitory effect in the ferric ion‐induced lipid peroxidation and caused 83.7% inhibition at a concentration of 25 µg ml ⁻¹ dried rosehip powder. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry