Anthocyanin content in different parts of capparis spinosa growing wild in Tafresh/Iran

Capparis spinosa has been introduced as a specialized culture in some countries for its anthioxidant properties during the last four decades. It contains a number of chemically active and diverse secondry metabolites, in particular, anthocyanin. In this study the content of anthocyanin was quantitatively determined in different plant parts of C.spinosa at full flowering stage, using spectrophotometric method. Collection of plant materials were made from Tafresh, Iran. Plant were separated into root, stem, leaves, floral bud and flower, which were dried separately and subsequently assayed for total anthocyanin content. The content of anthocyanin varied from 74 mg/100g to 266 mg/100g among different parts of caper. Leaves and flowers had higher content of anthocyanin respectively. The significant amounts of antioxidants especially anthocyanin confirm the nutritional and medicinal value of caper plant.