Determination of antioxidant activity, total phenolic, and total flavonoid contents from avocado seeds (Persea americana)

Abstract

In this study, the antioxidant activity, total phenolics, and total flavonoids of avocado seed extract were determined. The evaluation was observed towards methanol and ethyl acetate fractions by using the spectrophotometric method. The antioxidant activity of the avocado seed extract was determined by calculating the 50% of inhibition concentration of free radical scavenging activity towards DPPH radicals. The results showed that the IC50 of methanol and ethyl acetate fractions were 66 mg/mL and 63 mg/mL, respectively. The total phenolic content of the methanol fraction and the ethyl acetate fraction were almost similar at 48.6–48.7 mg/g dry weight of extract (gallic acid equivalent). Whereas the total flavonoid content of the methanol and ethyl acetate fractions was determined as 41.2–41.4 mg/g dry weight of the extract (quercetin equivalent). The phenolic and flavonoid compounds present in the fractions seemed to account for the antioxidant activity. Therefore, avocado seeds are a potential source of antioxidant compounds.