Scopoletin contents and antioxidant properties of some edible plants of Black Sea regions

Scopoletin is a phytochemical of coumarins distributed in some plants. The aim of this study was the evaluation of scopoletin content and antioxidant activity of nettle, mallow, purslane, knot-grass, dill and coriander encountered in Black Sea regions. Analyses were conducted on the leaves and stems of these plants, except knot-grass. The lowest scopoletin content was found in nettle leaves (11.48 mg/kg) and the highest amount was found in knot-grass (6708.37 mg/kg). Scopoletin was not detected in stems of mallow, purslane and dill plants. The lowest total phenolic content was found in mallow stem (0.86 mg GAE/g) and the highest value was in knot-grass (67.74 mg GAE/g). The lowest ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) was ascertained in purslane stem (1571.58 µmol Fe 2+ /g) and the highest value in coriander leaves (64905.90 µmol Fe 2+ /g). The mallow stem displayed the lowest DPPH radical scavenging activity of 48.63 µmol TE/g, while knot-grass provided the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity of 5261.56 µmol TE/g . These results revealed that knot-grass was the richest source of scopoletin and antioxidants. The studied plants exhibited a high interest in food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.