Interspecific Variation in the Antioxidant Potential of Culinary and Medicinal Herbs

• Published in: Agriculture
• Main Authors: Anna Rusaczonek, Patryk Sankiewicz, Maria Duszyn, Mirosława Górecka, Katarzyna Chwedorzewska, Ewa Muszyńska
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
• Subjects: antioxidant activity; bioactive compounds; carotenoids; chlorophylls; polyphenols
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/15/1586

Herbs are valued for their antioxidant richness and traditional use in cuisine and medicine. This study analysed wild herbs (e.g., Achillea, Lamium) and cultivated spices (Salvia, Artemisia) for their bioactive compounds. It was found that antioxidant profiles varied notably among species, even within the same family. <i>Helichrysum italicum</i> and <i>Salvia officinalis</i> had the highest polyphenol levels, while <i>Achillea millefolium</i> and <i>Ocimum basilicum</i> had the lowest. Total polyphenols did not always correlate with antioxidant activity. For instance, <i>Petroselinum hortense</i> and <i>Salvia rosmarinus</i> showed high antioxidant activity despite low polyphenol levels, whereas <i>Levisticum officinale</i> and <i>Artemisia dracunculus</i> combined both. <i>Mentha spicata</i>, <i>M. x citrata</i>, <i>Origanum vulgare</i>, and <i>S. officinalis</i> were rich in carotenoids, while <i>H. italicum</i> showed high α-carotene but low levels of other carotenoids. Most Lamiaceae accumulated a high amount of chlorophylls and polyphenols. Cultivated herbs like <i>M. spicata</i>, <i>M. x citrata</i>, and <i>S. officinalis</i> exhibited stronger and more diverse properties than wild species. It can be concluded that taxonomy alone does not predict antioxidant potential. The differences observed may be attributed to species-specific metabolic pathways, ecological adaptations, or environmental factors influencing phytochemical expression. These findings highlight the importance of conducting species-level screenings in the search for plant-derived antioxidants with potential therapeutic applications.