Molecules 2011, 16(2), 1454-1470; doi:10.3390/molecules16021454
Article

Antioxidant Activities and Polyphenolic Contents of Three Selected Micromeria Species from Croatia

Sanda Vladimir-Knežević 1,* email, Biljana Blažeković 1 , Maja Bival Štefan 1 , Antun Alegro 2 , Tamás Kőszegi 3  and József Petrik 4
1 Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Marulićev trg 20, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia 2 Department of Botany and Botanical Garden, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Marulićev trg 20, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia 3 Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Ifjúság útja13, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary 4 Department of Medical Biochemistry and Haematology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Domagojeva 2, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 14 January 2011; in revised form: 28 January 2011 / Accepted: 6 February 2011 / Published: 10 February 2011
(This article belongs to the Section Natural Products)
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Abstract: Antioxidant activities of three selected Micromeria species growing in Croatia (M. croatica, M. juliana and M. thymifolia) were evaluated using five different antioxidant assays, in comparison with plant polyphenolic constituents and reference antioxidants. All studied ethanolic extracts exhibited considerable activity to scavenge DPPH and hydroxyl free radicals, reducing power, iron chelating ability and total antioxidant capacity in the order: M. croatica > M. juliana > M. thymifolia. Total polyphenol (9.69–13.66%), phenolic acid (5.26–6.84%), flavonoid (0.01–0.09%) and tannin (3.07–6.48%) contents in dried plant samples were determined spectrophotometrically. A strong positive correlation between antioxidant activities and contents of phenolic acids and tannins was found, indicating their responsibility for effectiveness of tested plants. Our findings established Micromeria species as a rich source of antioxidant polyphenols, especially the endemic M. croatica.
Keywords: Micromeria croatica; Micromeria juliana; Micromeria thymifolia; antioxidant activity; polyphenols; rosmarinic acid

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MDPI and ACS Style

Vladimir-Knežević, S.; Blažeković, B.; Bival Štefan, M.; Alegro, A.; Kőszegi, T.; Petrik, J. Antioxidant Activities and Polyphenolic Contents of Three Selected Micromeria Species from Croatia. Molecules 2011, 16, 1454-1470.

AMA Style

Vladimir-Knežević S, Blažeković B, Bival Štefan M, Alegro A, Kőszegi T, Petrik J. Antioxidant Activities and Polyphenolic Contents of Three Selected Micromeria Species from Croatia. Molecules. 2011; 16(2):1454-1470.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Vladimir-Knežević, Sanda; Blažeković, Biljana; Bival Štefan, Maja; Alegro, Antun; Kőszegi, Tamás; Petrik, József. 2011. "Antioxidant Activities and Polyphenolic Contents of Three Selected Micromeria Species from Croatia." Molecules 16, no. 2: 1454-1470.

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