The compositional analysis and the peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$) scavenging assay were undertaken to demonstrate beneficial dietary effect of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L., Compositae). Quinic acid derivatives of the seven cultivars were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed by HPLC to lead to the finding of 3,4-di-O-caffeoyquinic acid and 3-O-p-coumaroylquinic acid and their contents ranged over 2.72-4.47 mg/g and 8.97-23.26 mg/g, respectively. A cultivar Hacheong had the highest quantity of quinic acid derivatives. The peroxynitrite scavenging effect of the five cultivars (Jangsu, Gosina 27, Gopung, Yeolpungjeogchima, and Mipungjeogchugmyeon) were ranged over 7.45-8.26${mu}g$/ml as $IC_{50}s$ while those of Hacheong and Mihong had less effect ($IC_{50}$ >10 ${mu}g$/ml).