Antioxidant and antibacterial activity of flowers of Iranian cultivars of Carthamus tinctorius L

This study was carried out to evaluate antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of followers of four Iranian varieties of safflower including Arak2811 Zarghan279، Isfahan14 and Varamin295. The flower were dried and extracted with methanol and water mixture. Ferric reducing antioxidant power and β-carotene bleaching assay were used to determine antioxidant activity. Antibacterial potential of extracts was determined with Broth Dilution method. Result showed Arak2811 had highest antioxidant activity in both experiment as Its FRAP value and EC50 in β-carotene bleaching were 0. 32±0. 02 Fe2+/mg dry weight and 2068. 44±15. 64 ppm respectively. Isfahan14 variety was more efficient in evaluation of antimicrobial activity. MIC against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi were 30 and 60 mg/ml respectively.