This study was designed to investigate the role of onion as a natural antioxidant. Onion was distinguished as yellow onion peel and onion flesh. Onion samples were extracted with 5 different kinds of solvents such as water, 70% ethanol, 99.9%ethanol, 99.9% methanol, and 96% butanol in order to select optimal extraction solvents, In this part of study linoleic acid was used s an model system for the purpose of determining the antioxidant activities. The optimal extraction rate of various solvents containing onion samples was determined by measuring extraction yield, electron donating ability(EDA), thiobarbituric acid(TBA), and thiocyanate, which are common methods for measuring activity. As a result 70% ethanol was shown as the most effective solvent.