Antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer activity of 3 Umbilicaria species

Abstract: The aim of this study is to investigate in vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer activity of the acetone extracts of the lichens Umbilicaria crustulosa, U. cylindrica, and U. polyphylla. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by 5 separate methods: free radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, reducing power, determination of total phenolic compounds, and determination of total flavonoid content. Of the lichens tested, U. polyphylla had largest free radical scavenging activity (72.79% inhibition at a concentration of 1 mg/mL), which was similar as standard antioxidants in the same concentration. Moreover, the tested extracts had effective reducing power and superoxide anion radical scavenging. Total content of phenol and flavonoid in extracts was determined as pyrocatechol equivalent, and as rutin equivalent, respectively. The strong relationships between total phenolic and flavonoid contents and the antioxidant effect of tested extracts were observed. The antimicrobial activity was estimated by determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration by the broth microdilution method. The most active was extract of U. polyphylla with minimum inhibitory concentration values ranging from 1.56 to 12.5 mg/mL. Anticancer activity was tested against FemX (human melanoma) and LS174 (human colon carcinoma) cell lines using MTT method. All extracts were found to be strong anticancer activity toward both cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 28.45 to 97.82 μg/mL. The present study shows that tested lichen extracts demonstrated a strong antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer effects. That suggests that lichens may be used as possible natural antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer agents.     

Antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer activities of three Parmelia species

BACKGROUND: Lichens are symbiotic organisms consisting of algae and fungi. They are used for human and animal nutrition and in the production of colours, perfumes and alcohol. Lichens have also been used in traditional medicine to treat diseases such as jaundice, pulmonary, stomach and cranial diseases. In this study the acetone extracts of three lichens, Parmelia caperata, Parmelia sulcata and Parmelia saxatilis, were tested for their antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer potential. RESULTS: Of the lichens tested, P. saxatilis had the highest free radical‐scavenging activity (55.3% inhibition). Moreover, all tested extracts showed effective reducing power and superoxide anion radical scavenging. Strong relationships between total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant effects of the tested extracts were observed. The extract of P. sulcata was most active in terms of antimicrobial ability, with minimum inhibitory concentration values ranging from 0.78 to 12.5 mg L^?1. All extracts were found to have strong anticancer activity, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 9.55 to 22.95 µg mL^?1. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that the tested lichen extracts exhibited strong antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer effects. This suggests that lichens may be used as possible natural antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer agents. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Juniperus sibirica Burgsdorf. as a novel source of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents

In order to examine antioxidant properties of methanol extracts of cones and needles of the unexplored Juniperus sibirica Burgsdorf. (Cupressaceae) species, various assays which measure free radical scavenging ability were carried out: DPPH, hydroxyl, superoxide anion and nitric oxide radical scavenger capacity test and reducing power (FRAP) assay. In all of the tests the extracts showed a potent antioxidant effect compared with BHT, a well-known synthetic antioxidant. In addition, the anti-inflammatory activity considering inhibitory potency toward COX-1 and 12-LOX was observed. Both extracts showed markedly anti-inflammatory activity, with needles having somewhat higher potency concerning both assays, reaching IC₅₀ at 1.29 mg/mL towards COX-1 and IC₅₀ at 1.34 mg/mL towards 12-LOX. Besides, in the extracts examined the total phenolic and flavonoid amounts were also determined, together with presence and content of the selected flavonoids: luteolin-7-O-glucoside, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, luteolin, apigenin, rutin and quercetin, which were studied using LC–MS/MS technique. LC–MS/MS analysis showed a noticeable content of natural products according to which the examined J. sibirica Burgsdorf. species could well be regarded as a promising new source of bioactive natural compounds, which can be used both as a food supplement and a remedy.     

Antioxidant activities of red pepper (Capsicum annuum) pericarp and seed extracts

In this study, we examined the antioxidant activities of red pepper (Capsicum annuum, L.) pericarp and red pepper seed extracts. The extracts were evaluated by various antioxidant assays, including 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging, [2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzthiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid)] (ABTS) radical scavenging, ferrous chelating activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and reducing power, along with the determination of total phenolic and flavonoid contents. All the extracts showed strong antioxidant activity by the testing methods. The red pepper pericarp extract exhibited strong ferrous chelating activity and high scavenging activity against free radicals, including both the hydroxyl and DPPH radicals, but it exhibited weaker scavenging activity for the superoxide anion radical and for SOD. In contrast, the red pepper seed extract exhibited strong SOD activity and high scavenging activity against the superoxide anion radical, but showed weaker ferrous chelating activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging, and DPPH radical scavenging. We observed that the reducing power level and ABTS radical scavenging activity of the red pepper seed were higher than those of the red pepper pericarp at the highest tested concentration. Most of the test results for the red pepper seed and red pepper pericarp extracts increased markedly with increasing concentration; however, the metal chelating, SOD and ABTS radical scavenging activities did not increase with the concentration. Highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents were obtained from the red pepper pericarp extracts. Overall, the red pepper seed and red pepper pericarp extracts were highly effective for the antioxidant properties assayed, with the exceptions of ferrous chelating activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging and SOD activity.     

Effects of Various Heat Treatments on Phenolic Profiles and Antioxidant Activities of Pleurotus eryngii Extracts

Free (FP) and bound phenolics (BP) were extracted from freeze dried (FD), oven dried (OD), as well as boiling treated (BT) Pleurotus eryngii samples. Free, bound, total phenolics were quantified using Folin–Ciocalteau assay. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of phenolic compounds were carried out using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with diode array detector (DAD), and a total of 8 phenolic compounds were detected. Free phenolic contents followed the order: Freeze‐dried free phenolics (FDFP) > Oven‐dried free phenolics (ODFP) > Boiling‐treated free phenolics (BTFP), and ranged from 95.42 (BTFP) to 442.50 (ODPF) μg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dry weight (DW). Bound and total phenolic contents followed the order: FD > OD > BT, and ranged from 218.33 (BTBP) to 774.17 (FDBP) and 313.75 (BT total phenolics) to 1090.42 (FD total phenolics) μg GAE/g DW. Bound phenolics contributed 49.76% (OD), 69.59% (BT), and 71% (FD) of the total phenolic contents. All free and bound phenolic extracts were investigated for their antioxidant activities by 3 different assays, 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and superoxide anion radical scavenging activity. FDFP showed strongest DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀ at 32.61 μg/mL), ODFP showed strongest reducing power (IC₅₀ at 26.31 μg/mL), and BTBP showed strongest superoxide anion radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀ at 14.07 μg/mL).     

Phenolic composition,antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of free and bound phenolic extracts of Moringa oleifera seed flour

Phenolic compounds, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of defatted Moringa oleifera seed flour (DMF) were investigated. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were measured using colorimetric methods. Free phenolic acid and flavonoid profiles were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography, while antioxidant capacities were evaluated using scavenging assays of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power and total antioxidant capacity. The results showed that extractability of phenolic compounds was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in bound phenolic extract (4173.00 ± 32.22 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 g) than in free phenolic extract (780.00 ± 14.2 mg GAE/100 g) and it showed higher antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The IC₅₀ value for DPPH radical scavenging activity was 0.9 ± 0.05 and 14.9 ± 0.07 mg/mL for bound phenolic and free phenolic extracts, respectively. Bound phenolic extract was more effective (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), 0.06–0.157%) than free phenolic extract (MIC, 0.117–0.191%) against tested bacteria. Ten phenolic compounds (gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, protocatechuic acid, cinnamic acid, catechin, epicatechin, vanillin and quercetin) were identified and quantified in both extracts. These natural plant phenolics from Moringa seeds could be a good source of antioxidants and antibacterials for food and pharmaceutical industries.     

Valorisation of phenolic composition,antioxidant and cell growth activities of tomato waste

Tomato waste, a by-product in juice processing, obtained from different tomato genotypes, was subjected to evaluation as potential source of phenolic antioxidants and anticancer agents. Some individual phenolic compounds, including phenolic acids and flavonoids, were identified and quantified by HPLC. The antioxidant activity of tomato waste extracts was tested by measuring their ability to scavenge hydroxyl and superoxide anion radicals by ESR spectroscopy. The highest hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀ = 0.03 mg/ml) was obtained in the case of Novosadski niski waste extract. The Rutgers waste extract showed the best performance in scavenging superoxide anion radicals (IC₅₀ = 0.45 mg/ml). Cell growth effects were determined in HeLa, MCF7 and MRC-5 cell lines by SRB test. In all cell lines antiproliferative effects were observed at higher investigated concentrations (?6.3 mg/ml). The strongest activity against cancer cells was observed by Saint Pierre extract in HeLa cell line (IC₅₀ = 13.7 mg/ml).     

A new flavone from antioxidant extracts of Pistacia terebinthus

Acetone and methanol extracts of the fruits of Pistacia terebinthus L. subsp. terebinthus L. were studied for their antioxidant activity by investigating their total phenolic and flavonoid contents, β-carotene bleaching potential, DPPH radical scavenging effect, scavenging activity on superoxide anion radical, reducing power, and metal chelating effect on ferrous ion. Both extracts showed very similar chemical profile by checking on TLC plates, and exhibited high scavenging activity on superoxide anion radical and DPPH radical. Due to these similarities they were combined and fractionated on a silica gel column for their constituents, and the most active three fractions in DPPH assay were purified to afford a new flavone 6′-hydroxyhypolaetin 3′-methyl ether (1) besides a group of known flavonoids apigenin, luteolin, luteolin 7-O-glucoside, quercetin, quercetagetin 3-methyl ether 7-O-glucoside, isoscutellarein 8-O-glucoside. Their structures were established by UV, UV shift reagents, and ¹H NMR spectroscopic techniques. Antioxidant activity of the new flavone was investigated by β-carotene bleaching and DPPH radical scavenging activity methods, and it showed a high activity in the first system, but not so good in the latter.     

The antioxidant activity and the bioactive compound content of Stevia rebaudiana water extracts

Stevia rebaudiana (SR), a chrysanthemum herb, has been used as a vegetable-based sweetening additive in health drinks and in other foods. This study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant activity and the bioactive compounds found in water extracts taken from SR leaves and calli. Analysis of vitamins in the leaves showed that folic acid (52.18 mg/100 g) was a major component, followed by vitamin C. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were found to be 130.76 μg catechin and 15.64 μg quercetin for leaves and 43.99 μg catechin and 1.57 μg quercetin for cellus at mg of water extracts, respectively. Pyrogallol was the major material among the phenolic compounds in both leaf and callus extracts. Furthermore, our results showed that the leaf extracts contained higher amounts of free radicals, hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anion radical scavenging activities than those of the callus extracts.     

In vitro antioxidant activities of methanol extracts of five Phyllanthus species from India

In this study, the antioxidant activity of methanol extracts of five plants from the genus Phyllanthus was evaluated by various antioxidant assays, including total antioxidant, free radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, nitric oxide scavenging, reducing power and metal ion chelating activities. The various antioxidant activities were compared to standard antioxidants such as butylated hydroxytoluene and ascorbic acid. All the extracts showed strong antioxidant activity in all the tested methods. Among the five plants Phyllanthus debilis has been found to possess the highest activity in all tested models, the activity decreased in the order Phyllanthus debilis>Phyllanthus urinaria>Phyllanthus virgatus>Phyllanthus maderaspatensis>Phyllanthus amarus. In addition to the antioxidant activity of these plants, the total phenolic compounds, flavonoids and flavonols were measured in the extracts. A correlation between the antioxidant activity and total phenolic content was observed.     

Antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of mango (Mangifera indica L.) flesh and peel

The antioxidant and antiproliferative properties of flesh and peel of mango (Mangifera indica L.) were investigated. The cytoprotective effect of mango flesh and peel extracts on oxidative damage induced by H₂O₂ in a human hepatoma cell line, HepG2, were determined, and the underlying mechanism was examined by a single-cell electrophoresis assay (comet assay). Treatment of HepG2 cell with mango peel extract prior to oxidative stress was found to inhibit DNA damage. The free radical scavenging activities of mango flesh and peel extracts were evaluated by electron spin resonance (ESR). The mango peel extract exhibited stronger free radical scavenging ability on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and alkyl radicals than mango flesh extract, regardless of ripeness. Similarly, peel extract exhibited significant antiproliferative effect against all tested cancer cell lines, compared to that of flesh extract, in a dose-dependent manner. The result also showed that the antiproliferative activity of mango flesh and peel extracts correlated with their phenolic and flavonoid contents. Thus, mango peel, a major by-product obtained during the processing of mango product, exhibited good antioxidant activity and may serve as a potential source of phenolics with anticancer activity.     

Effects of alkaline and heat treatment on antioxidative activity and total phenolics of extracts from Hsian-tsao (Mesona procumbens Hemsl.)

The effects of processing conditions on the antioxidative activity and total phenolics content of extracts from Hsian-tsao were investigated. Hsian-tsao was extracted with boiling water for 0.5–3 h by the addition of 0 to 1.5% of Na₂CO₃ or NaHCO₃ solution. A higher content of total phenolics and stronger antioxidative activity were found in the extracts from Hsian-tsao treated with Na₂CO₃ at concentrations of 0.1–0.3% under heating for 2 h. The antioxidative activity, the scavenging activity on DPPH radical and superoxide anion, and the content of total phenolic compounds of Hsian-tsao extracts decreased with increases in the alkaline concentration and heating time. The antioxidative activity and the scavenging effects on DPPH radical and superoxide anion of Hsian-tsao extracts were highly correlated with the total phenolic contents of the extracts.     

Antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of pigments extracted from molasses alcohol wastewater

The pigments from molasses alcohol wastewater were extracted by the macroporous resin adsorption method. The antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of these pigments were also investigated. The adsorptive characteristics of five macroporous resins including HPD-600, HPD-500, D301-R, NKA-II and D296-R were studied and the results showed that the macroporous resin HPD-600 was most appropriate for extracting the pigments from molasses alcohol wastewater. The antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of pigments extracted from alcohol wastewater were evaluated using nitrate, hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion radical and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) in vitro model systems. The pigment extract exhibited a concentration-dependent radical scavenging activity in all the systems. Meanwhile, scavenging activity of pigment extract in the DPPH system was found to be significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that in other systems and the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀ value) was about 0.07 mg/ml. The scavenging effect of pigment extract on superoxide anion radical was very weak with IC₅₀ value greater than 10 mg/ml.     

Antiradical activity of different parts of Walnut (Juglans regia L.) fruit as a function of genotype

The objective of this work was to analyse phenolic compounds and antiradical capacity of different parts of walnut fruit among six genotypes of Juglans regia L. Therefore, total phenolic and flavonoid content were determined and methanolic extracts of walnut genotypes were considered by the reducing power, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), superoxide anion and nitric oxide radical scavenging. Significant differences were found in phenolic content and radical scavenging capacity of different parts of fruits and among various genotypes. High correlation coefficient (R² = 0.81) was observed between phenol content and radical scavenging activity, but this was not always true (R² = 0.01). These results demonstrated that walnut genotypes have different phenolic compounds and phenolic compounds have different radical scavenging power. The differences of phenolic compounds were confirmed by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).     

Antioxidant activity of stem and root extracts of Rhubarb (Rheum ribes): An edible medicinal plant

The antioxidant activity of chloroform and methanol extract of roots and stems of Rhubarb (Rheum ribes L.), which are used for medicinal purposes and also its fresh stems and petioles are consumed as vegetable, was studied. The antioxidant potential of both extracts of roots and stems were evaluated using different antioxidant tests, namely total antioxidant (lipid peroxidation inhibition activity), DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, ferric reducing power, and cupric reducing power (CUPRAC), and metal chelating activities. Total antioxidant activity was also measured according to the β-carotene bleaching method, and all four extracts exhibited stronger activity than known standards, namely butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and α-tocopherol. Particularly, higher activity was exhibited by roots with 93.1% and 84.1% inhibitions of chloroform and methanol extracts, while 82.2% and 82.0% inhibitions by stem extracts, respectively. However, both methanol extracts exhibited higher DPPH radical scavenging activity than the corresponding chloroform extracts, moreover, methanol extract of the stems showed better activity than BHT. In addition, both root extracts showed more potent superoxide anion radical scavenging activity than BHT, and comparable with well known radical scavenger l-ascorbic acid. Except chloroform extract of the roots, the other three extracts exhibited better metal chelating activity than quercetin. Also, total phenolic and flavonoid contents in both extracts of the roots and stems of R. ribes were determined as pyrocatechol and quercetin equivalents, respectively.     

Antioxidant activity and proline content of leaf extracts from Dorystoechas hastata

Dorystoechas hastata (D. hastata) is a monotypic plant endemic to Antalya province of Turkey. D. hastata leaves are used to make a tea locally called “çalba tea”. Diethyl ether (E), ethanol (A), and water (W) were used for the sequential preparation of extracts from dried D. hastata leaves. A hot water extract (S) was also prepared by directly boiling the powdered plant in water. The antioxidant activities of the extracts were tested by ferric thiocyanate (FTC) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging methods. E extract exhibited the greatest antioxidant activity with FTC method, whereas S extract exhibited the lowest IC₅₀ value (6.17 ± 0.53 μg/ml) for DPPH radical scavenging activity. Total phenolic contents of the extracts were estimated by Folin–Ciocalteu method and S extract was found to contain the highest amount (554.17 ± 20.83 mg GAE/g extract) of phenolics. Extract A contained highest flavonoid content and there was a inverse linear correlation (R² = 0.926) between IC₅₀ values for DPPH radical scavenging activity and flavonoid contents of all extracts. Reducing power of extracts increased in a concentration-dependent manner. S extract was found to possess higher reducing power than equivalent amount of ascorbic acid at 20 and 25 μg/ml concentrations. Linear correlation between reducing power and concentration of E, A, and W extracts (R² > 0.95) was observed. A, W, and S extracts contained relatively high levels of proline. The results presented suggest that D. hastata may provide a natural source of antioxidants and proline.     

In Vitro Antioxidant and Antiglycation Properties of Methanol Extract and Its Different Solvent Fractions of Musa paradisiaca L. (Cv. Nendran) Inflorescence

Methanolic extract of Musa paradisiaca inflorescence and its different solvent fractions, petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, butanol, and water were studied for their total phenolic and flavonoid content, free radical scavenging, and antiglycation activities, and these properties were compared with standard antioxidant compounds. Ethyl acetate fraction exhibited higher antioxidant and antiglycation properties than other fractions. IC₅₀ values of ethyl acetate fraction for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl method, 2,2-azinobis-3 ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid method, superoxide radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging, nitric oxide radical scavenging, and antiglycation activities were 9.80, 13.50, 26.40, 19.71, 25.73, and 31.00 μ g/ml, respectively. Total phenolic content of ethyl acetate (21.52 mg GAE/g) was significantly higher than other fractions. There was positive linear correlation between antioxidant activity and total phenolic content.      

Antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activities of different parts of guava (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Psidium guajava</Emphasis> L.)

The antioxidant and the tyrosinase inhibitory activities of 4 different solvents (acetone, ethanol, methanol, and water) for preparation of extracts from guava (branch, fruit, leaf, and seed) were evaluated by measuring total phenolic contents (TPC), DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical scavenging activity, reducing power (RP), and tyrosinase inhibitory activity. The extracts of branch and leaf showed relatively higher antioxidant properties than those of fruit and seed. The highest TPC (141.28 mg/g gallic acid equivalents), DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀=34.01 μg/mL), ABTS radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀=3.23 μg/mL), and RP (IC₅₀= 75.63 μg/mL) were found in acetone extract of leaf, while water extract of seed had the lowest antioxidant activity. The tyrosinase inhibitory activity of ethanol extract from guava leaf was 69.56%, which was the highest activity among the extracts. These results indicate that useful bioactive substances exist in the guava branch as well as leaf extracts.     

Phenolic acid composition and antioxidant properties of Malaysian honeys

Abstract: The phenolic acid and flavonoid contents of Malaysian Tualang, Gelam, and Borneo tropical honeys were compared to those of Manuka honey. Ferric reducing/antioxidant power assay (FRAP) and the 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picryl‐hydrazyl (DPPH) radical‐scavenging activities were also quantified. All honey extracts exhibited high phenolic contents (15.21 ± 0.51– 42.23 ± 0.64 mg/kg), flavonoid contents (11.52 ± 0.27– 25.31 ± 0.37 mg/kg), FRAP values (892.15 ± 4.97– 363.38 ± 10.57 μM Fe[II]/kg), and high IC₅₀ of DPPH radical‐scavenging activities (5.24 ± 0.40– 17.51 ± 0.51 mg/mL). Total of 6 phenolic acids (gallic, syringic, benzoic, trans‐cinnamic, p‐coumaric, and caffeic acids) and 5 flavonoids (catechin, kaempferol, naringenin, luteolin, and apigenin) were identified. Among the Malaysian honey samples, Tualang honey had the highest contents of phenolics, and flavonoids, and DPPH radical‐scavenging activities. We conclude that among Malaysian honey samples, Tualang honey is the richest in phenolic acids, and flavonoid compounds, which have strong free radical‐scavenging activities.     

Evaluation of antioxidant activities and total phenolic contents of typical malting barley varieties

Fourteen typical malting barley varieties from China were evaluated for their DPPH radical, ABTS radical cation and superoxide anion radical scavenging activities, reducing power, metal chelating activities, and total phenolic contents (TPC). All barley samples exhibited significant antioxidant activities determined by different assays, and contained significant levels of phenolic compounds. Gan4 and Wupi1 barley exhibited the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical cation scavenging activity and reducing power. Gan4 and Humai16 barley showed the highest TPC, whereas the highest superoxide anion radical scavenging activity and metal chelating activity were found in Huaimai19 and Ken3 barley, respectively. The Pearson correlation analysis revealed that the TPC showed strong correlations with DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical cation scavenging activity, and reducing power (P < 0.01), whereas its correlations with superoxide anion radical scavenging activity and metal chelating activity were poor (P > 0.05). Moreover, DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical cation scavenging activity and reducing power were well positively correlated with each other (P < 0.01). Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to understand the interrelationships among the measured antioxidant activity evaluation indices, and to gain an overview of the similarities and differences among the 14 barley varieties.