THE FATTY ACID COMPOSITION, PHYTOCHEMICALS AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF WILD EDIBLE Smilax excelsa L. SHOOTS

The present study examines the fatty acid composition, phytochemicals content and antioxidant potential of Smilax excelsa L. shoots, which grows spontaneously and is consumed as food in rural areas of Duzce (Tur-kiye) province, was investigated. DPPH, ABTS and OH radical scavenging tests were utilized to put forth the antiradical properties of the extracts of this plant. In addition, the metal chelating potential of this plant was also evaluated. The higher the inhibition % value calculated in these tests, the higher the antioxidant activity was considered and the results were evaluated. The average ABTS radical cleaning test results of Smilax excelsa extracts prepared in different concentrations of methanol, ethanol and pure water were found to be 98.14%, 98.16%, 90.20%, respectively. The average DPPH radical cleaning test results of the extracts of this plant prepared in different concentrations of methanol, ethanol and pure water were determined as 87.48%, 76%, 46.53%, respectively. The OH radical cleaning test results of methanol, ethanol and pure water extracts of the Smilax excelsa were determined as 54.79%, 72.54%, none, respectively. In addition, the metal chelation test results of methanol, ethanol and pure water extracts of this plant were determined as 87.26%, 89.36%, 53.70%. The highest protein (85.91 mg BSA/g), proanthocyanidin (55.39 mg CE/g) and phenolic (4957.57 mu g GAE/g) content of Smilax excelsa pure water extract was determined. It has been determined that gallic acid (117.33 mu g/g), vanillic acid (33.89 mu g/g), caffeic acid (4.55 mu g/g), ferulic acid (93.78 mu g/g), rosmarinic acid (0.33 mu g/g) and hydrocynamic acid (0.33 mu g/g) are found in different proportions in the Smilax excelsa. It has been stated that Smilax excelsa is an important source of palmitic acid (20.52%), stea-ric acid (4.95%), oleic acid (4.74%), linoleic acid (20.99%), gamma-linolenic acid (2.26%), alpha-linolenic acid (34.29%) and docosahexaenoic acid (2.79%). It has been found that this plant has a low content of fat-soluble vitamins and phytosterols, with the exception of beta-sitosterol (6.43 mu g/g).