The antioxidant activity of the extracts from Gevuina avellana hulls was evaluated and compared with that of BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) and BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), using the beta-carotene bleaching assay, the accelerated oxidation of crude soybean oil, and the 2,2-diphenyl-beta-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method. Solvents of different polarity were used to obtain the extracts. Both the extraction yield and the antioxidant activity were strongly dependent on the solvent. The ethanol and diethyl ether soluble fractions were the most active with the beta-carotene assay. Ethanol and methanol extracts were the most active in hydrogen radical scavenging activity. Water and methanol inhibited more efficiently the oxidation of soybean oil at 70 and 80 degrees C, respectively. As a general trend, increased antioxidant activity was observed for increased extract concentration. Except the acetone extracts, all were stable after 6 months storage at 4 degrees C. The ethanol solubles from G. avellana hulls present antioxidant activity similar to that of synthetic antioxidants and to other reported residual agroindustrial materials.