Phytochemical contents and antioxidant capacities of different parts of two sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) cultivars

• High TTC was detected in sugarcane.
• Phytosterols of different parts of sugarcane were identified by HPLC.
• Sugarcane rind contained highest TFC and TPC.
• Positive relationship between TFC, TPC and antioxidant activity was found.

Antioxidant capacities and phytochemicals such as phenolics, flavonoids, triterpenoids, phytosterols of four parts of two sugarcane cultivars have been characterised. The total triterpenoid content (TTC), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and total sterol content (TSC) were different among parts and cultivars of sugarcane. The node of both cultivars contained the highest TTC (2096.02 and 1779.66 mg ursolic acid/100 g DW for green-rind and red-rind sugarcane, respectively). However, the highest TPC, TFC and TSC were found in the rind. Green-rind sugarcane cultivars contained higher TSC than the red-rind sugarcane cultivars in most parts, while opposite trend were found in TPC and TFC. Stigmasterol and β-sitosterol were found as two main phytosterols. Furthermore, TPC and TFC revealed good correlations with DPPH and FRAP. As cultivars and parts could affect phytochemical content, present result may provide a theoretical basis for further exploitation of the health beneficial resources of sugarcane.