Conclusions On the basis of the above results, it could be concluded that extraction with various solvents of varying polarities affect the total phenolic content, phenolic constitutes and antioxidant activity.Solvents with medium polarity (aqueous methanol and aqueous ethanol) were more efficient in the extraction of phenolics from sunflower florets than solvents with high (water) or low(ethyl acetate) polarity. Nine and six phenolic compounds were detected in aqueous alcohols extracts of ray florets and disc florets, respectively. Aqueous methanol (90%, v/v) seems to be the most recommended solvent for extraction of phenolics from both ray florets and disc florets. In addition, significant positive correlations have been found between the total phenolic contents and antioxidant activity. The study also indicates that the capitulum of sunflower (H. annuus L.) could be considered as a good source of natural antioxidant phenolics.