Antioxidant activity of phenolic components from n-Butanol fraction (PC-BF) of defatted flaxseed meal

Abstract

Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) is the richest source of phenolic compounds. Owing to high content of phenolics, defatted flaxseed meal exhibited broad spectrum of bioactivities. In the present study antioxidant potential of selectively isolated PC-BF was evaluated by various methods such as total antioxidant activity, reducing power, DPPH free radical, hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide scavenging activity. Preliminary phytochemical screening reveals only presence of phenols and carbohydrates in PC-BF. UV spectra indicated the presence of phenolic compounds other than earlier reported phenols and flavonoids in n-butanol fraction. FC-BF showed 225 μ of total phenolic content per milligram of PC-BF. Significant antioxidant activity close to standard antioxidant BHT and BHA was found in PC-BF. This study will enhance the chemoprotective potential of defatted flaxseed meal. © 2011 Academic Journals Inc.