The compositions of olive leaf extract (OLE), bound phenolics of olive leaf (BPOL), olive fruit
extract (OFE) and bound phenolics of olive fruit (BPOF) were determined by HPLC/UV–vis,
and the antioxidant activity was evaluated based on the reducing power and different types
of radical scavenging capacities, i.e., DPPH·, ·OH, ABTS·+ and O2·−.The comparison of the structural
differences in their DPPH· scavenging capacity with FRAP provided insight into the
phenolic structure–antioxidant activity relationships. Both OLE and OFE consisted of
oleuropeosides, flavones and phenolic acids. Oleuropein was highly concentrated in OLE,
where caffeic acid and luteolin were predominant in OFE. OLE exhibited a dose-dependent
behavior and high antioxidant ability due to the synergism of its phenolic compounds. Conversely,
OFE displayed poor reducing power and antiradical activity, but its superoxide radical
scavenging capacity was stronger than that of OLE. Chlorogenic acid dominated in BPOL
with an approximately 2-fold amount than that in BPOF. The antioxidant capacity mainly
depended on the catechol moiety, the number of hydroxyl groups and a double bond conjugated
to the 4-position on the aromatic ring. OLE may therefore be more suitable than
OFE as a functional food ingredient due to its stronger antioxidant activity.