Antioxidants 2013, 2, 122-131; doi:10.3390/antiox2030122 OPEN ACCESS antioxidants ISSN 2076-3921 www.mdpi.com/journal/antioxidants Article Evaluation of Antioxidant Status of Two Limoniastrum Species Growing Wild in Tunisian Salty Lands Mohamed Debouba 1,*, Sami Zouari 2 and Nacim Zouari 1 1 High Institute of Applied Biology of Medenine, Environmental Sciences Department, University of Gabes, route El Jorf-Km 22.5, Medenine 4119, Tunisia; E-Mail:
[email protected] 2 Arid Regions Institute, Medenine 4119, Tunisia; E-Mail:
[email protected] * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail:
[email protected]; Tel.: +216-756-339-19; Fax: +216-756-339-18. Received: 13 June 2013; in revised form: 19 July 2013 / Accepted: 23 July 2013 / Published: 2 August 2013 Abstract: We aim to highlight the differential antioxidant status of Limoniastrum guyonianum and Limoniastrum monopetalum in relation to their respective chemical and location characteristics. Metabolite analysis revealed similar contents in phenolic, flavonoïds, sugars and chlorophyll in the two species’ leaves. Higher amounts of proline (Pro), carotenoïds (Carot), sodium (Na) and potassium (K) were measured in L. monopetalum leaves relative to L. guyonianum ones. While the two Limoniastrum species have similar free radical DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging activity, L. guyonianum showed more than two-fold higher ferrous ions chelating activity relative to L. monopetalum. However, highest reducing power activity was observed in L. monopetalum. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) determination indicated that L. monopetalum behave better lipid membrane integrity relative to L. guyonianum. These findings suggested that the lesser stressful state of L.