We examined the phenolic contents of 45 species of vegetables and their radical scavenging activities for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH-). High contents of phenolic compounds and strong DPPH - scavenging activities were observed in extracts from Nishiyomogi, Ryukyuyomogi, Aojiso, Moroheiya, Hosobawadan, Bajiru, Ensai, Yaeyamakazura, Suizenjina, Botanbouhuu and Uikyou. Eight of these vegetables are traditional foods in Okinawa. These showed strong radical scavenging activities for the superoxide radical (O-2(-)center dot) and tert-butylhydroperoxyl radical (t-BuOO center dot). We found five antioxidative phenolic compounds, D(+)-chicoric acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, luteolin 7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, and luteolin 7-O-beta-D-glucuronide, in Hosobawadan (Crepidiastrum lanceolatum Nakai). Their detailed structures were determined using H-1-NMR, C-13-NMR, MS, and UV spectrometry.
