Antioxidative properties of 34 green leafy vegetables

Green leafy vegetables available in Sri Lanka have not been fully exploited, although they are stipulated to be rich sources of natural antioxidant. This study examined the antioxidant properties of thirty four edible green leafy vegetables popular in Sri Lanka. Methanolic extracts of leafy vegetables were analysed for total phenolic, carotene and chlorophyll content, and were evaluated for total antioxidant capacity, reducing power, lipid peroxidation and DPPH radical scavenging assays. The results indicated that these leafy vegetables have remarkable variations in their antioxidant activities. Among the plant materials screened for their antioxidant properties, Sesbania grandiflora, Cassia auriculata, Murraya koenigii Spreng, Passiflora edulis, Gymnema lactiferum and Olax zeylanica showed high carotene content, antioxidant activities and polyphenolics compared to other leaf varieties tested. A good correlation was observed between antioxidant assays and polyphenolics of the leafy vegetables.