Abstract
A comparative study on mineral composition, total phenol, anthocyanin, flavonoid and phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity of leaves of Sonchus oleraceus (SOL), Moringa oleifera (MOL) and Moringa peregrina (MPL) was carried out. The SOL had significantly (p <= 0.05) higher Ca (18661.71 mg kg(-1)DW) and S (5647.11 mg kg(-1)DW) than those of MOL and MPL. However, P, K, and Mg contents of SOL were found significantly (p <= 0.05) lower than those of MOL and MPL. Fe was the most abundant trace element in SOL and was comparable to that of MOL. Also, extracts of SOL leaves had significantly (p <= 0.05) higher total anthocyanin and flavonoids than those of Moringa species. Moreover, the total phenolics and antioxidant activities of SOL were found significantly (p <= 0.05) higher than those of MOL and MPL. The most abundant phenolic compound in SOL and MOL was gallic acid which was significantly (p <= 0.05) higher than that in MPL. The results indicated that SOL leaves are rich in mineral composition, total phenol, anthocyanin, flavonoid and phenolic compounds with higher antioxidant activity compared to those in Moringa species.