Abstract:

The antioxidant activity of (-)-epicatechin extracted with ethanol from the root tubers of Fagopyrum dibotrys
was evaluated in this study. Results showed that the (-)-epicatechin extract could scavenge 83.08% of superoxide anion
radical; its hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity was very significantly affected by its concentration (P ＜ 0.01), and
77.30% of hydroxyl radical was scavenged at a concentration of 0.350 mg/mL. The epicatechi extract, showing a significant
concentration-effect relationship (P ＜ 0.01), was only 48.02% as effective as vitamin C at the same concentration in
reducing Fe3+. The ethanol extract contained 1.40 mg/mL active components, accounting for 2.52% of the dried root tubers
of Fagopyrum dibotrys. This study proves that (-)-epicatechin from the root tubers of Fagopyrum dibotrys has strong
antioxidant activity as a natural potent antioxidant.

Key words: Fagopyrum dibotrys, (-)-epicatechin, antioxidant