Seven cane brown sugars (four from La Re´union, two from Mauritius, and one from France) were
investigated for their polyphenol content and volatile composition in relation to their free radical
scavenging capacity determined by ABTS and DPPH assays. The thin layer coated on the sugar
crystal was extracted by Soxhlet extractor with dichloromethane. The volatile compounds of brown
sugars were studied by GC-MS, and 43 compounds were identified. The total phenolic content of
brown sugars was determined according to the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Phenolic compounds were
quantified in the brown sugar extracts by LC-UV-ESI-MS. Brown sugar aqueous solutions exhibited
weak free radical scavenging activity in the DPPH assay and higher antioxidant activity in the ABTS
assay at relatively high concentration. The brown sugar extracts showed interesting free radical
scavenging properties despite the low concentration of phenolic and volatile compounds. Sugar is a
common foodstuff traditionally used for its sweetening properties, which might be accompanied by
antioxidant properties arising from molecules (polyphenols, Maillard products) other than sucrose of
the cane brown sugars.