Scorzonera species (Asteraceae) are mainly used as vegetables and medicinal plants in Europe and in Turkey. Current study is aimed to evaluate antioxidant capacities of Scorzonera species and characterize the phytochemical content of tested extracts to determine the responsible compounds. Superoxide anion scavenging method w as used to determine antioxidant activities. Chemical composition of the tested extracts w as also investigated by RP-HPLC method using phenolic acid and flavonoid standards. Ali extracts exhibited signifıcant scavenger activity against superoxide anion radical. The highest inhibitory activity w as observed with S. parviflora root extract with ICS0=2.25 mg/mL value. Hyperoside and rutin were found to be in the extracts from the aerial parts and chlorogenic acid w as detected in ali the extracts investigated.
Keywords: Asteraceae, Scorzonera, Antioxidant activity, Chlorogenic acid, Hyperoside