the reaction mixtures were incubated for 30 min at 30◦C in the dark. The result was calculated according to the following formula: DPPH radical scavenging activity (%) = 1 − (absorbance of sample/absorbance of control) × 100%. Vitamin C was used as a standard antioxidant analyzed at the same time. The final results were calculated and expressed as vitamin C equivalents (VCE) per gram on a fresh weight basis