Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity, Phenolic and Flavonoid Content in Punica granatum var. Isfahan Malas Flowers

ABSTRACT: Pomegranate is a native Persian fruit that is grown around the world; the present study is the report of the research on different extracts of different polarity from flowers regarding their antioxidant activity. Punica granatum L. var. Isfahan Malas flowers were extracted with petroleum ether. The dried petroleum extract was suspended in ethanol %80 and successively partitioned with n-butanol. The total phenolic, flavonoid content and antioxidant capability of different extracts of Punica granatum in two systems (DPPH, B-carotene), were evaluated in this work. As a result of the present study, the antioxidant activities of Pomegranate flowers have not direct relationship with phenolic compounds and flavonoids content. Extract concentration have significant relationship in different tests. Antioxidant activity of plant extracts is not limited to phenolics; there is a wide grade of variation between different phenolic compounds in their effectiveness as antioxidant. Type and polarity of the extracting solvent, concentration, pH and the chemical structure of phenolics could also play a role in their antioxidant activity.