Abstract

Cornus mas L. is a naturally growing dogwood species in Anatolia. In present study, the antioxidant activity of 50% aqueous methanol extracts of 12 cornelian cherry types were evaluated by various antioxidant assay, including free radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) scavenging and metal (Fe⁺²) chelating activities. The methanolic fruit etxracts of the Cornus mas L. fruit types (H₂O₂ and diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activities, Fe⁺² chelating activity) examined in the assay showed the strongest activities. The highest antiradical activity was found 44-05 type (0.943) followed by 44-04 (0.860), 77-09 (0.810) and 77-05 (0.723) types respectively. The lowest value was found 44-01 (0.537), 77-06 (0.580), 77-11 (0.567) and 77-02 (0.563) types. The highest chelating activity was found; 44-05 (54.213%), 44-04 (49.890%), 77-09 (47.287%) and 77-05 (45.180%) cornelian cherry type respectively. The lowest cheting activity was found 77-06 (33.883%), 44-01 (34.106%) and 77-11 (34.510%) types. In terms of H₂O₂inhibition, the highest rate was obtained from 44-05 (79.103%), the lowest one was 44-01 type to be 37.720%.

Key words: Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.), antioxidant properties, fruit.