Main Article Content
Short communication<br><br>Antioxidant scavenging potential of South African export herbal teas
Abstract
The flavonoid content as
well as the superoxide anion and hydroxyl radical
scavenging activities of water extracts of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis (Burm. f.) R. Dahlgr.), honeybush (Cyclopia intermedia E. Mey.)
and roselle (Hibiscus
sabdariffa L.), three South African herbal teas
which are commercial products exported world-wide, were investigated. The
results indicated that the water extracts of rooibos
exhibited the best scavenging activity for both the hydroxyl radical and superoxide anion followed by honeybush
and then roselle. This seems to be due to the total flavonoid concentration, which was the highest in rooibos and lowest in roselle.
South
African Journal of Botany 2004, 70(4): 660–663
well as the superoxide anion and hydroxyl radical
scavenging activities of water extracts of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis (Burm. f.) R. Dahlgr.), honeybush (Cyclopia intermedia E. Mey.)
and roselle (Hibiscus
sabdariffa L.), three South African herbal teas
which are commercial products exported world-wide, were investigated. The
results indicated that the water extracts of rooibos
exhibited the best scavenging activity for both the hydroxyl radical and superoxide anion followed by honeybush
and then roselle. This seems to be due to the total flavonoid concentration, which was the highest in rooibos and lowest in roselle.
South
African Journal of Botany 2004, 70(4): 660–663
