Abstract

• The objective of this study was to examine the yield percent of organic solvent extractable matter, the content of bioactive substances (total phenolic contents and total flavonoids contents) and free radical scavenging activity of ethanolic and watery extracts of Michelia champaca L. (Sagawa flower). The results indicated that M. champaca was more soluble in polar solvent and it had pronounced effects on both phenolic compound levels and antioxidant potential. Ethanolic extract contained the higher amounts of bioactive compounds and exhibited the better antioxidant activity than watery extract. The evaluation of antioxidant activity of both extracts revealed highly significant correlation between anti-radical ability and total phenolic and total flavonoid contents.