Total phenols, flavonoids, and procyanidins levels and total antioxidant activity of different Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) varieties

Total phenols, flavonoids, procyanidins, and total antioxidant capacity, measured with ferric reducing antioxidant power, radical scavenging capacity, and oxygen radical absorption capacity assays were first evaluated in the extracts of the shells, skins and kernels of 10 varieties of Pinus koraiensis. Results indicate that these varieties had strong radical scavenging capacities, ferric reducing antioxidant power and oxygen radical absorption capacities. Phenolic, flavonoid and procyanidin values ranged from 138.6 (#3 kernel) to 518.6 (#10 shell) mg GAE/g, from 23.3 (#2 kernel) to 70.8 (#5 skin) mg RE/g, from 2.5 (#2 kernel) to 142.1 (#7 skin) mg CE/g, respectively. Radical scavenging capacity and ferric reducing antioxidant power values were positively correlated to the polyphenol contents which play a major role in antioxidant properties. The varieties may be divided into two groups by cluster analysis and the variables being measured. These results will be useful for breeding varieties and guiding their production.