The aim of the present study was to investigate the antioxidant activity and the fructan content of Bulgarian Carduus thoermeri Weinm. flower heads. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated by several reliable methods such as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, 2,2'-azinobis-3 ethyl benxothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) cation decolorization activity assays, the ferric reducing/antioxidant power method (FRAP) and cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity assay (CUPRAC) in addition to the total phenolic content evaluation. The reported results could be considered as first detailed investigation on the sugar and inulin content of Bulgarian C. thoermeri. The content of inulin in the plant samples was evaluated to be 0.7% dry weight (dw). In the water extracts besides the fructose, sucrose and nystose, the presence of high molecular fraction of inulin was determined. Based on the established inulin content the use of infusions and tinctures from the plant is recommended for improvement of the gastrointestinal tract function as they may act as potential prebiotics.
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