Apium graveolens has several beneficial properties including antioxidant activity. The leaves of A.
graveolens was extracted with methanol and partitioned with water, ethyl acetate and butanol. The
phenolic content of the extracts was determined by Folin-Coicalteu method and antioxidant activity was
assayed through some in vitro models such as antioxidant capacity by radical scavenging activity
using α, α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), β-carotene-linoleate, reducing power, metal chelating
effects and phosphomolybdenum method. The phenolic content of the extracts were expressed as
gallic acid equivalents and was found to be highest in methanol (51.09 mg/g) followed by water extract
(46.40 mg/g), ethyl acetate (22.70 mg/g) and butanol extract (19.43 mg/g). At 250 µg/ml concentration,
the antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of the extracts assayed through DPPH and
reducing power were found to be highest with methanol extract followed by water, ethyl acetate and
butanol extract. The antioxidant activity of butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT) was higher than the
extracts at each concentration points. The results indicated that the extent of antioxidant activity of the
extract is in accordance with the amount of phenolics present in that extract and the celery leaf
vegetable being rich in phenolics may provide a good source of antioxidants.