Matos, F.Miguel, Maria GraçaDuarte, J.Venancio, F.Moiteiro, C.Correia, A. I. D.Figueiredo, A. C.Barroso, J. G.Pedro, L. G.2015-06-152015-06-1520091041-2905AUT: MGM00322;http://hdl.handle.net/10400.1/6292The antioxidant capacity of the essential oils isolated from the aerial parts of Lavandula luisieri, L. stoechas subsp. lusitanica, the hybrid L. stoechas subsp. lusitanica x L. luisieri, and L. viridis collected in different regions of Algarve (Portugal), its well as that of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), was evaluated using three different methods: free radical scavenging activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assay (TBARS) and reductive potential. The chemical composition of the essential oils wits analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The oils of L. luisieri were mainly constituted by 1,8-cineole (26-34%) and trans-alpha-necrodyl acetate (11-18%), only present in this lavender species. The oils of Lavandula stoechas subsp. lusitanica and the hybrid L. stoechas subsp. lusitanica x L. luisieri were dominated by fenchone (42-44%) and camphor (35-36%). Despite of the morphological resemblances of the L. stoechas subsp. lusitanica x L. luisieri with L. luisieri, no necrodane derivatives were detected ill the hybrid, showing instead a major chemical similarity with L. stoechas oil. Lavandula viridis oil mainly comprised 1,8-cineole (33%) and camphor (20%). The oils of L. luisieri were the most effective as antioxidants, independent of the evaluation method used, although showing always lower antioxidant ability than BHT.engjournal articlehttp://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2009.9700184