Comparative analyses of flavonoids compositions and antioxidant activities of Hawk tea from six botanical origins

• Flavonoids of Hawk teas from Litsea coreana Levl. var. lanuginose were identified.
• Antioxidant activities of Hawk teas from six botanical origins were evaluated.
• The botanical origins of Hawk teas were divided into four categories by PCA.
• Two cultivars were temporarily considered as good sources of Hawk tea.

The aim of this study was to compare the flavonoids compositions, content and antioxidant activities of Hawk tea from six botanical origins for screening the most suitable botanical origins. The main flavonoids of Hawk teas from Litsea coreana Levl. var. lanuginose were identified, and six high contents of individual flavonoids (hyperin, isoquercitrin, quercitrin, astragalin, quercetin and kaempferol) were quantitative and comparative analysis. Moreover the potential antioxidant capacity of Hawk tea was measured by using in vitro antioxidant assays. The above experimental data were all used for the principal component analysis. The statistical results showed that the extracts from Machilus chuanchienensis S. Lee and L. coreana Levl. var. lanuginose appeared closely positioned in the positive regions, indicated the higher flavonoids and antioxidant activity compared with other species. Thus, they were temporarily considered as good sources of Hawk tea.