The antioxidant efficiencies of 5,7,3',4'-hydroxy-substituted flavonoids were examined. The tested compounds (quercetin, luteolin, taxifolin, (+)-catechin and eriodictyol) were selected with a view to their C-ring differentiated pattern. Each one was added in cottonseed oil at equimolar amounts and the retardation of lipid peroxidation was estimated by means of peroxide value. Furthermore, their ability to scavenge DPPH radical was studied in two solvents (methanol and ethyl acetate) and the DPPH method proved a satisfactory prediction test for the antioxidant action of flavonoids in oils when methanol was used as the reaction media. Furthermore, the comparison of the C-ring structural element contribution to the antioxidant action revealed the full substitution to be the most important followed by the 3-OH and 2,3-double bond in the presence of the 4-carbonyl. Concerning the monosubstituted flavonoids, the 4-carbonyl group induced minor activity, whereas the 3-OH increased significantly the antiradical and antioxidant action.