In this study, we compared the antioxidant activities of three loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) by cultivars (Daebang, Bubang and native cultivar). The leaves were extracted by 80% ethanol and then fractionated with various solvents (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water) for biological activities and bioactive compounds analysis. Total polyphenol content of extracts and fractions was in the range of 84.93～478.50 mg/g gallic acid equivalent (GAE). From highest to lowest GAE, the fractions were n-butanol> ethyl acetate> n-hexane> 80% ethanol> water. Among the three cultivars, the highest polyphenol content was found from native cultivar. As for DPPH radical scavenging activity, the n-butanol fraction showed the highest activity, and native cultivar was the highest on the IC50 values (0.18 mg/mL). In the nitrite scavenging activity, the ethyl acetate fraction (54.99～60.86%) showed the most effective activity on the Bubang cultivar was higher than others. The ursolic acid content of the ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest (51.41 mg/g) in the Daebang cultivar. Based on all these results, the Bubang cultivar showed relatively higher antioxidant and nitrite scavenging activities, but the ursolic acid content was higher in the Daebang cultivar. These results suggest that extracts from loquats (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) can be used as bioactive and functional materials that could be important information for industrial use in the future.

Keywords: leaves of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.), polyphenol, free radical, nitrite scavenging activity, ursolic acid