Objective: Plants are an excellent source of phenolic compounds, which are among the most important antioxidant substances. The antioxidant properties of medicinal plants have prompted researchers to use them in the food, health and pharmaceutical industries.
Methods: The purpose of the present study is to investigate the antioxidant properties of the methanol extract of the medicinal plants of Salsola rigida (Salsola orientalis) and wheat. The aerial parts of these plants were dried and ground. Then plant samples were prepared using homogenized methanol. Finally, the total antioxidant capacity of the mentioned plants was evaluated using ferric iron reducing antioxidant power (FRAP).
Results: The results showed that the total antioxidant capacity for Salsola rigida and wheat was 0.77 and 2.20 Fe2+ mmol L-1, respectively. Based on our findings, wheat showed strong antioxidant activity and S. rigida showed little antioxidant capacity.
Conclusion: It is recommended to use the medicinal plants of S.rigida and wheat due to antioxidant effects against free radicals. Antioxidant medicines or supplements can be produced from the mentioned plants.