**3.2 ABTS and DPPH radical-scavenging activity**

ABTS and DPPH tests were conducted to evaluate the antioxidant properties of plant part extract on their stable free radicals in comparison to the antioxidant activity of vitamin C, the corresponding results were collected in the figure 2.

The antioxidant activity using ABTS varied from 39 mg to 468 mg VCE per g dry weight. The overall antioxidant capacity of plant parts in VCEAC, which was evaluated by ABTS assay, was in the following order: *T. macroptera* root bark > *A. leiocarpus* leaves > *T. macroptera* trunk bark > *C. populnea* root bark > *A. leiocarpus* trunk bark > *Z. mucronata* leaves > *V. heterophylla* leaves > *M. inermis* trunk bark > *Z. mucronata* root bark.

The antioxidant activity using DPPH ranged from 21 mg to 361 mg VCE per g dry weight. The overall antioxidant capacity of plant parts in VCEAC which was evaluated by DPPH assay decreased in the following order: *T*. *macroptera* root bark > *A. leiocarpus* leaves >*T. macroptera* trunk bark > *C. populnea* root bark > *Z. mucronata* leaves ≈ *A. leiocarpus* trunk bark > *Z. mucronata* root bark > *V. heterophylla* leaves >*M. inermis* trunk bark.

L= leaves; TB= trunk barks; RB= root barks

Values are means of triplicate determination ± standard deviation.

Fig. 2. Vitamin C equivalent antioxidant capacity (VCE mg/g dry weight).
