Antioxidant activities of dried wild rosehips (Rosa moschata) of Kullu Valley, Northwestern Indian Himalaya.

Wild rose species Rosa moschata Herrm. syn R. brunonii Lindl. belongs to the Rosaceae family. It has numerous medicinal properties and hence is used to make tea, oil, jam, juice, etc. around the world. The species is found abundantly in Kullu Valley of Himachal Pradesh, Northwestern Indian Himalaya. It is considered as weed and is left unattended in the region. The study aimed to assess antioxidant property of the rosehips to establish an enterprise through its value-added product development, especially tea. Results showed rosehip flesh extract yields as 37.92% in water and 39.06% in methanol respectively. Study showed total phenolics content of 660±1.52 mg GAE/g in water and 675±2 mg GAE/g in methanol extract and total flavonoid content of 498±0.50 mg Rutin/g in water and 557.33±0.57 mg Rutin/g in methanol extract. The antioxidant activities were determined by DPPH IC50 values as 2.72±0.01 AAE μg/mL in water and 1.48±0.09 AAE μg/mL in methanol; ABTS assay as 14.10±2.51 GAE μg/mL in water and 22.68±1.83 GAE μg/mL in methanol; FRAP assay as 32±3.14 μM ascorbic acid equivalent/100 g DW. The study showed that the rosehip species has a high antioxidant property which supports its use as beverages for various health benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]