Antioxidant and antibacterial activities in the fruit peel, flesh and seed of Ceri Terengganu (Lepisanthes alata Leenh.)

Abstract

Malay cherry fruit or locally known as Ceri Terengganu (Lepisanthes alata Leenh.) is a local tropical exotic fruit and it is native to Malaysia. The Ceri Terengganu tree is widely distributed in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia particularly in Terengganu, Pahang and Johor and commonly cultivated as an ornamental plant in the villages and gardens. A limited number of studies had been done on the proximate analysis and postharvest quality of Ceri Terengganu fruit, but the studies on the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Ceri Terengganu fruit extract are still lacking. Hence, this study aimed to determine the antioxidant and antibacterial activity in the peel, flesh and seed extracts of Ceri Terengganu. The Ceri Terengganu was extracted using 60% ethanol and the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total monomeric anthocyanins, antioxidant and antibacterial activities were measured using standard methods. The results showed that the seed of Ceri Terengganu had the highest amount of TPC, TFC and antioxidant activity, followed by the peel and flesh extracts whilst the peel extract had the highest total monomeric anthocyanins content. Furthermore, all three extracts of Ceri Terengganu showed inhibition against selected pathogens tested. In conclusion, the seed of Ceri Terengganu possessed the greatest potential to be explored as a source of natural antioxidant and antibacterial agent in the food industry, and thus warrant further investigation.