Leaf methanolic extracts from four Sicilian rose species: bioactive compounds content and antioxidant activity (original) (raw)

Rose extracts are widely used as promising sources of bioactive compounds and as a traditional medicine for their antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. These properties are linked to the secondary metabolites content which may be affected by the genotype and harvest period. Leaf methanolic extracts of four rose species (Rosa canina L., R. corymbifera Borkh., R. micrantha Borrer ex Sm, R. sempervirens L.) grown in Sicily (south Italy) were analysed to evaluate the possibility to use them as natural antioxidants. The leaves were harvested in two periods (June and October) corresponding to different phenological phases (blooming and hips ripening). Leaf concentration of chlorophylls, carotenoids, anthocyanins, flavonoids, polyphenols content and the antiradical activity (DPPH) were determined. Photosynthetic pigments content was affected by the harvest period only as chlorophyll "a" and carotenoids were higher in leaves of the four species harvested in June. Total anthocyanins and polyphenols contents were influenced both by the genotype and by the harvesting period as higher values were measured in R. micrantha leaves harvested in October. The radical scavenging activity was higher in the extracts of R. canina and R. micrantha leaves harvested in June, confirming that some Sicilian roses could be used as source of healthy compounds.

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