Biological Activities of Papaya (Carica papaya L.) Seed, Rind and Pulp Oil Extracts

Abstract

Background: Carica Papaya L. is widely cultivated for food and traditional medicine throughout the World due to its rich source of bioactive compounds in its fruit, leaves, latex and stem. Objective: The aim of this work was to assess the physicochemical properties, and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of oils extracted from papaya seeds, fruit pulp and rind using the solvent ex-traction method. Methods: Hexane mediated extraction of oil was made. Then, physicochemical properties of the oil extracts were based on the determination of oil yield, specific gravity, acid value, free fatty acid and peroxide value, while the antioxidant activities were conducted based on ascorbic acid content, DPPH and hydrogen peroxide free radical scavenging activities. The antimicrobial experiment was conducted based on disc diffusion and broth dilution methods. Results: The result of physicochemical properties of papaya seeds, pulp and rind oil extracts demon-strated significantly the highest oil yield (42.50%) and specific gravity (0.85) obtained for seed oil. Significantly the highest DPPH (19.35%), and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities (32.45%) were recorded for seed oil extract. The strongest antibacterial activity with maximum zone of inhibition (18.50 mm), minimum inhibitory concentration MIC (0.03 μg/mL) and minimum bactericidal concen-tration MBC (0.05 μg/mL) were recorded for seed oil extract against S. pyogenes. However, the strong-est antifungal activity with maximum zone of inhibition (16.75 mm), MIC (0.05 μg/mL) and MFC (0.10 μg/mL) against C. albicans was recorded for rind oil extract against C. albicans. Conclusion: It can be concluded from the result of this study that seed oil was found to have antioxidant and antibacterial potential but fruit rind oil extract was the most effective antifungal in papaya.