Antioxidant activity, phenolic and flavonoid contents of snake gourd (Trichosanthes anguina) extract

Abstract

Marsetya YR, Mudjijono, Hastuti S. 2009. Antioxidant activity, phenolic and flavonoid contents of snake gourd (Trichosanthes anguina) extract. Biofarmasi 7: 77-86. This research was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant activity and the relationship between antioxidant activity with phenolic and flavonoid contents in snake gourd extract. The extract was prepared by a maceration using methanol, and then continued by an extraction using solvent with increasing polarity. Extract obtained was analyzed to determine the antioxidant activity, and they were compared to the synthetic antioxidant, BHT (Butylated Hidroxytoluene) and PG (Propyl Gallate). The antioxidant activity was determined using the modification of β-carotene-linoleic acid emulsion system. Phenolic content was measured by Folin-Ciocalteu method and the flavonoid content was determined using AlCl3 reagent. The result of this research showed that the antioxidant activity of methanol extract (29.566%) was higher than BHT (16.268%), and it was not significantly different from PG (29.452%). Chloroform extract had the highest antioxidant activity (36.384%), followed by water, hexane, butanol, and ethyl acetate extract, respectively. Phenolic contents of each extract (methanol, chloroform, ethyl acetate, butanol, and water) were 1.904, 3.547, 2.553, 3.114, and 1.776 g GAE (Gallic Acid Equivalent)/100 g extract, and the flavonoid contents were 4.072, 4.162, 1.751, 2.944, and 1.392 g QE (Quercetin Equivalent)/100 g extract, respectively. A positive relationship was found in this research, the chloroform extract that had the highest antioxidant activity contained the highest amount of phenolic and flavonoid. This study showed that snake gourd could be used as a source of natural antioxidant.