Total Polyphenol Content and Antioxidant Capacity of Rosehips of Some Species.

Rosehips, the fruits of species, are well known for their various health benefits like strengthening the immune system and treating digestive disorders. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cell regenerative effects are also among their health enhancing impacts. Rosehips are rich in compounds having antioxidant properties, like vitamin C, carotenoids, and phenolics. Total polyphenol content (Folin-Ciocalteu's method), and in vitro total antioxidant capacity (ferric-reducing ability of plasma, FRAP) in rosehips of four species (, , , ) were determined and compared. Ripe fruits were harvested at two locations. Water and ethanolic extracts of dried fruit flesh were analyzed. had the highest total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity, significantly higher than the other investigated species. Both parameters were reported in decreasing order for > > > Ethanolic extracts of rosehips showed higher phenolic content and antioxidant activity than water extracts. Antioxidant properties were influenced by the growing site of species. This study indicates that exhibited the greatest phenolic and antioxidant content, and therefore can be used as a reliable source of natural antioxidants, and serve as a suitable species for further plant breeding activities. Furthermore, investigations of various species for their antioxidant properties may draw more attention to their potential as functional foods.