QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF SOME CLASSES OF BIOACTIVE ANTIOXIDANT COMPOUNDS IN CARAWAY (CARUM CARVI L.) LEAVES

Abstract

Caraway leaves from local production were studied for their content in some classes of compounds with antioxidant potential. Chlorophylls, carotenoids (total, β-carotene, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin and cryptoxanthin), phenolic compounds (total, flavonoids, anthocyanins), ascorbic acid, essential oils.The chlorophyll content was 346 mg/kg DW, of which only chlorophyll a was found in detectable amounts. Total carotenoid concentration was 2,190 mg/kg DW, consisting almost entirely (2,078 mg/kg) of β-carotene including, 86 mg/kg lutein and low amounts of other compounds. 23,755 mg/kg was the total phenolic content, of which 6,435 mg/kg flavonoids, including 104 mg/kg anthocyanins. Leaves contained 2,319 mg/kg ascorbic acid and 6,676 mg/kg essential oil.These concentrations are comparable with those commonly found in most studied species of Apiaceae.