Evaluation of Biochemical and Dimensional Properties of Naturally Grown Capparis spinosa var. spinosa and Capparis ovata var. palaestina

The caper plant is native to the Mediterranean Countries. In this study some nutritional, biochemical and dimensional properties of flower buds of Capparis spinosa var. spinosa and Capparisovata var. palaestina, natura lly grown in Turkey, were investigated. C. spinosa var. spinosa has predominate values in terms of dry matter, crude ash, crude protein, crude oil, total carotenoid, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and sugar composition. Statistically differences were found among them. Antioxidant activity of C. ovata was found stronger than C. spinosa although amount of total phenolics was higher in C. spinosa. To the best of our knowledge there are no reports on glucose, fructose and saccharose contents of C. spinosa var. spinosa and C. ovata var. palaestina and this is the first report on their sugar values. C. spinosa var. spinosa can be recommended for animal feeding since it has more glucose, saccharose and fructose content than C. ovata var. palaestina. Findings of present research can be important in order to reveal to using possibility of these two species in human consumption or animal feeding as well as using for cosmetic and medical industries.