ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL AND CHROMATOGRAPHIC PROFILING OF COUROUPITA GUIANENSIS FRUIT PULP

Abstract

Cannonball (Couroupita guianensis) fruits are large sized with disagreeable odor. However, it is widely used traditionally for cold, wound, headache, stomach ache, antibacterial, antifungal and medicinal drink. The present investigation was focused to determine the total phenol and flavonoids as well as the antioxidant properties of fruit pulp of Couroupita guianensis extracted with four different solvents. Additionally, chemical constituents of fruit pulp were also evaluated. Successful extraction was carried out with different solvents such as petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanol and aqueous alcohol using Soxhlet apparatus. The different extracts were assessed for quantitative total phenol and total flavonoid contents, and their antioxidant activity were determined by DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate) assay. The extract presenting higher total phenol and flavonoid was subjected to Gas chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) to explore the chemical constituents. Ethanol extract presented higher total phenol and total flavonoid and was found to be 206.98±0.40 mg GAE/g and 83.18±0.42 mg QE/g respectively. Similarly, % inhibition of DPPH was higher in the ethanol extract exhibiting IC50 value of 52.59. GC-MS analysis confirmed the presence of about 30 different chemical components. Among the different components, 2,5-Furandione, 3 methyl and hydroxymethylfurfural were found to be the major components in the ethanol extract. The present investigation confirmed that the ethanol extract had showed higher total phenol and flavonoid which can be correlated to its highest % inhibition than other extracts. Hence, considering the obtained result, the ethanol extract can be explored for pharmacological activities.