SEASONAL VARIATION OF TOTAL ANTIOXIDANT CONTENTS OF WILD BUSH TEA

The objective of this study was to determine the seasonal variation on the total antioxidant contents of wild bush tea leaves. At harvest, leaves were freeze dried and ground for total antioxidants using the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. The results of this study demonstrated that the total antioxidants contents were lowest during autumn (66%) and spring (67%) whereas the highest were during winter and summer (99%). Thus, suggesting winter and summer as best time to maximize the potent antioxidant contents of wild bush tea leaves.