Selection of Material with Excellent Antioxidant Activity from Plants of Warm Temperate Forests in Korea

This study was performed to select an excellent antioxidant active material for 10 species of the family Fegaceae, a family of plants in warm temperate forests in Korea. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents, scavenging activities of DPPH, ABTS+ , and hydroxyl radicals, and reducing power of each hot water extract were examined. The Quercus acuta leaf (QA) extract (QAE) showed the highest activity in all tests. In addition, among the hot water, 30%, 50%, 70% EtOH, and EtOH QAE, the hot water extract was the most excellent in extraction yield, total phenolic content, and DPPH radical-scavenging activity. Furthermore, the inhibitory activity on lipid peroxidation using lard was evaluated with the different concentrations of the hot water extract of QA. The inhibition activity was highest at 0.5% addition. On the other hand, a pro-oxidant effect was observed at higher addition concentrations because of the high reducing capacity of QAE. QAE is considered a potent material exhibiting excellent antioxidant activity in a small amount.