Retention of antioxidant activity in gamma irradiated argentinian sage and oregano

The effect of 30 kGy of gamma radiation on the antioxidant activity of methanolic and aqueous extracts prepared from dry gamma irradiated sage and oregano were analysed. The antioxidant activity was characterised by DPPH radical test and by reducing power assay within an extract concentration range of 0-40 mg/ml of methanol or water. In addition, the total phenolic content in the extracts was determined. From the EC50 estimated values, it was established that, by both methods, oregano extracts showed a higher antioxidant activity than sage extracts. Oregano extracts also showed a phenolic content significantly higher than sage extracts. A good correlation between the phenolic content and the antioxidant activity was also observed. The 30 kGy dose applied to dry sage and oregano for sanitization did not significantly affect the capacity to inhibit the DPPH radical or the reducing power, nor did it affect the total phenolic content of the methanolic and aqueous extract.