FLOWER HEADS OF ONOPORDUM TAURICUM WILLD. AND CARDUUS ACANTHOIDES L – SOURCE OF PREBIOTICS AND ANTIOXIDANTS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.9755/ejfa.2016-05-544Keywords:
Antioxidants, Extracts, Inulin, Fructooligosacharides, ; ThistlesAbstract
The carbohydrate composition (inulin and sugars) and antioxidant potential of 95% ethanol and subsequent water extracts from flower
heads of Carduus acanthoides L. and Onopordum tauricum Willd. grown in Bulgaria were investigated. The total fructans content in both
thistle species was analyzed by ketose-specific assay, while individual inulin and sugars content was defined by HPLC-RID method. The
total phenolic content and the antioxidant capacity of the studied extracts were also examined as the antioxidant potential was determined
by four in vitro assays (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP and CUPRAC). O. tauricum Willd. flower heads were evaluated for the first time as a rich
source of prebiotics and total phenols. Higher fructans content was found in the water extracts, while the ethanol extracts possessed
better antioxidant activity