Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Malva sylvestris L.

The leaves and petioles of Malva sylvestris L. were analyzed for their proximate composition, fattyacid composition, mineral content, total flavonoids and mucilage. The antioxidant capacities ofsamples were estimated using Folin-Ciocalteu (FC), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC),2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric-reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) radical scavengingassays. The anti-nutritive compounds, tannin and nitrate were also quantified. The results showed thatlinolenic, linoleic, palmitic and oleic acids were measured more than 82% of total fatty acids in leavesand petioles. GC-MS analysis of methanolic extract revealed that 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol was themajor compound in the extract. Analysis of variance was showed that genotype and plant part wereimportant sources of variability in the measured properties. Finally, antioxidant capacities of theMalva sylvestris L. were compared with spinach.

Keywords:

Malva sylvestris , Antioxidant activity , Proximate composition , Fatty acids