Some Compositae plants are known to contain biologically active substances that are allelopathic to weeds species as well as antioxidant to foods. Aqueous extracts from leaves of 3 plant species, Cirsium japonica, Kalimeris yomena, and Lactuca saliva, were bioassayed against alfalfa (Medicago saliva) to determine their allelopathic effects. The extracts applied on filter paper in bioassay significantly inhibited root growth of alfalfa. Extracts of 20 g dry tissue ~textrmL-1 from Lactuca sativa showed the most inhibitory effect on alfalfa seedling growth and followed by Cirsium japonica and Kalimeris yomena. Oxidative stability by Rancimat method and antioxidant activity by TBA method for the ground samples were the greatest in Lactuca sativa although were less than that of a commonly used antioxidant, 1% ascorbic acid. Antioxidant activity of methanol extracts on storing meat was stably kept for 28days and was excellent compared to control. These results suggest that three Compositae plants have potent allelopathic and antioxidant effects, and that their activities differ, depending on plant species.

• Sang-Uk Chon
• Seong-Kyu Choi