Antibacterial and antioxidant activity of fruits of some rose species from Turkey

The rose hips from plants native to Turkey's flora are well known for their aromatic and medicinal properties. The country has a very rich rose hip germplasm. In the present study the antibacterial and antioxidant activities characteristic to hips from four rose taxa (Rosa pisiformis, Rosa canina Rosa villosa and Rosa dumalis subsp. antalyensis) were determined. Among bacteria tested, Bacillus cereus was the most susceptible against rose hip fruit extracts. All Rosa taxa fruit extracts inhibited growth of B. cereus with 9-14 mm inhibition zones. Rosa canina was found particularly a more effective antibacterial agent, being capable of inhibiting the growth of the majority of bacteria tested. Total phenolics, vitamin C and antioxidant activity varied from 78 to 102 mg GAE/g DW: 681-840 mg/100 g and 83.8-91.4% in beta-Carotene method among taxa species.