GC/MS Analysis and Antioxidant Activity of Fixed Oil from Sudanese Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L) Seeds

The aim of the present study was to investigate the chemical constituents of the Fixed oil from Sudanese Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) seeds and to evaluate the potential antioxidant activity.

Soxhlet method was used to extract the essential oil from Sudanese Safflower Seeds. The chemical constituents of Sudanese Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L) were identified and quantified by GC-MS and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay was used determined the capacity antioxidant activity.

Nineteen components were identified, seven of which are namely 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)-, methyl ester 1.61%) , 9-Octadecenoic acid (Z)-, methyl ester (10.50%), Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (8.93%), Methyl stearate (8.41%), Eicosanoid acid, methyl ester (1.39%), cis-11-Eicosenoic acid, and methyl ester (1.01%). The DPPH assay showed moderate antioxidant potential by 23.05±0.01 compared with that of standard by 91±0.01.

The results of this study showed that the Sudanese Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) seeds has oil rich of bioactive chemical compounds and has a significant anti-oxidant effect. It can be used to deal with in flavoring agent, food industry and medicinal purposes.