Abstract Lepidium sativum oil was characterized by GC-MS. A total of 25 constituents were identified. Major constituents are:cis-13-eicosenoic acid methyl ester (16.48%), 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)-, methyl ester (15.90 %), hexadecanoic acid methyl ester (13.11%) and 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid methyl ester(Z,Z,Z)-(10.16%). The antioxidant activity of Lepidium sativeum oilwas conducted by three methods: metal chelating, free radical (DPPH∙) and superoxide anion scavenging method. The studied oil showed a free radical scavenging capacity in the DPPH assay (IC50 97.36±0.9) close to the positive control: butylated hydroxyl anisole (BHA)–(IC50 80.14±1.02). In the metal chelating assay, the studied oil showed IC50: 118.25±0.31 while the positive control – EDTA gave: IC50 7.05±0.29. In the superoxide anion scavenging assay, the oil sample showed: IC50 11.72±0.17, while the positive controls gave: BHA (IC50 18.22±0.17); Trolox (IC50 54.98±0.17) and BHT (IC50, 60.5±0.22).
Keywords Lepidium sativum, Oil, GC-MS Analysis, Antioxidant Activity.