Abstract

Cyphomandra betacea is one of the underutilized fruits which can be found in tropical and subtropical countries. This study was conducted to determine the antioxidant activity and phytochemical contents in different parts (i.e., flesh and peel) of the fruits. Antioxidants were analyzed using DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging assays as well as FRAP assay. Anticholinesterase activity was determined using enzymatic assay using acetyl cholinesterase enzyme. For 80% methanol extract, the peel of the fruit displayed higher antioxidant activity in both FRAP and ABTS free radical scavenging assays while the flesh displayed higher antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay. Total phenolic and total flavonoid content were higher in the peel with the values of 4.89 ± 0.04 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g and 3.36 ± 0.01 mg rutin equivalent (RU)/g, respectively. Total anthocyanin and carotenoid content were higher in the flesh of the fruit with the values of 4.15 ± 0.04 mg/100 g and 25.13 ± 0.35 mg/100 g. The anticholinesterase was also higher in the peel of C. betacea. The same trends of phytochemicals, antioxidant, and anticholinesterase were also observed in the distilled water extracts. These findings suggested that C. betacea has a potential as natural antioxidant-rich nutraceutical products.

Highlights

  • Coronary heart diseases, cancer, and other health problems related to the aging process have been associated with free radicals such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) [1]

  • The result of this study showed that the total phenolic content was higher in the peel as compared to the flesh for both 80% methanol and the aqueous extracts (P < 0.05) (Table 1)

  • The results obtained for total phenolic in both peel and flesh extracts (Table 1) in the present study were similar to the study by Mertz et al [14] on tree tomatoes which are estimated to have 308–570 mg phenolic content in 100 g of sample

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Summary

Introduction

Cancer, and other health problems related to the aging process have been associated with free radicals such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) [1]. The oxidation process by ROS can be reduced by antioxidants. The most important function of antioxidants in the human body is to combat ROS which help to control oxidation of cells in the human body [2]. Plant-based products made from vegetables, cereals, grains, and fruits have been shown to contain a large amount of natural antioxidants [4]. Fruit and vegetable juices play an important role in delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s disease especially among those who are at high risk for the disease [5]. The fruit has like tomato-taste and ripe fruit of C. betacea is usually eaten raw by local community. This study was conducted to investigate the phytochemicals, antioxidant, and anticholinesterase potential of different parts of the fruit (i.e., skin and flesh)

Materials and Methods
Statistical Analyses
Results and Discussion
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