Flavonoid content and antioxidant properties in different extracts of Calluna vulgaris L. flowers

This study evaluated the effect of four different solvent, i.e., water, ethanol, water-ethanol mixture and ethyl acetate, on the antioxidant activities of wild and cultivated heather (Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull) plant. The highest values for total flavonoid content were obtained for samples extracted using ethanol-water mixture and ethyl acetate. Cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) method, scavenging ability on 1,1-diphenyl-2-pirylhydrazyl radicals (DPPH) radicals and chelating activity on Fe2+ ions have been used for evaluation of antioxidant activity of the extracts. Ethanolic fraction exhibited the lowest reducing capacity, despite a heather sample used. The extracts of cultivated heather exhibited significant scavenging effect on DPPH radicals, and ethanol and ethanol-water fractions were found to be the most effective. The metal-chelating effect of the extracts increased in the order: ethanol < ethyl acetate < ethanol-water < water. The results may be helpful for better utilization of heather flowers extracts as potential pharmaceutical and nutraceutical ingredient.