Abstract:The study aims to better characterize the antioxidant capacity of strawberry and screen the genetic source with high nutritional quality. The antioxidant content of Fragariavesca and ten strawberry cultivars were determined and compared by measuring the total phenolics, total flavanoids, anthocyanins and vitamin C. The antioxidant capacity in vitro of strawberries were also tested and compared by using ABTS [2,2‘-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt] radical cation scavenging and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The results indicated that F. vesca had higher antioxidant content and antioxidant capacity than the other cultivars. Based on the antioxidant content and antioxidant capacity, two culitvars "Honeoye" and "Fengguan" had the more satisfactory nutritional quality among ten cultivars. The total phenolics content and antioxidant capacity were significantly positive correlation. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that total phenolics were the most important materials for antioxidant capacity of strawberry. Meanwhile, total anthocyanins and vitamin C were also the major contribution factors. This study showed that the genetic background played an important role in the antioxidant content and antioxidant capacity of strawberry fruits. F. vesca had higher antioxidant capacity than all cultivars in this study, which is the potential source for producing health-promoting products.