Effect of Different Storage Conditions and Infusion Times on Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activites and Total Phenolic Content of Rosehip Fruits

Rosa canina L. (Rosehip) is a medicinal plant with strong antioxidant properties.The content of rosehip and accordingly its antioxidant capability may vary according to the way the fruits are used, storage, infusion, freezing and drying methods. In study, it was aimed to determine the antioxidant, antimicrobial activities in rosehip infusion products and extracts under these conditions. Fresh, frozen, dried and +40C stored fruits were infused at 90 degrees and infusion groups were formed. During infusion, samples were taken at 30, 60, 90, 120, 300 and 360th minutes and antioxidant activity (DPPH, FRAP and ABTS methods), total phenolic and total flavonoid contents (TPC and TFC), and antimicrobial activity were analyzed. In addition, phenolic compound content was investigated in 3 different extracts by HPLC method. Dried rosehip (DR) infusing samples were found to have the highest antioxidant activity, TPC and TFC compared to all groups (p-value ranged between 0.000 and 0.05).). Significant decreases were detected in the parameters according to storage and freezing times. A total of 8 phenolic compounds, the highest concentration of which was epicatechin, were detected in aqueous and ethanolic extracts of dried and stored at 40C rosehip (DR+40C) and dried rosehip (DR) fruits. For antimicrobial analysis, Total 7 different Gram (+) and (Gram (-) bacterial strains, were used. While antimicrobial activity was observed in the extracts, no activity was observed in the infusion products. It was determined that antioxidant activity increased during 360 minute infusion time, although it varied according to storage conditions.