Exploring The Secondary Metabolites and Antioxidant Potential of Litsea elliptica Leaf Extract

Abstract

Litsea is the largest genus in the Lauraceae family that is widely distributed in Kalimantan and contains natural antioxidants that have an essential role in the health of the human body. This study aims to identify the secondary metabolites of Litsea elliptica leaf extract and determine the antioxidant activity of different-size leaf extracts from L. elliptica. This research was conducted with qualitative phytochemical analysis and an antioxidant test, which was carried out using the DPPH method (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) at concentrations of 100, 50, 25, 12.5, and 6.25 ppm. The positive control used in this study wa vitamin C (ascorbic acid). The result of qualitative phytochemical analysis of all different-size leaf extracts showed that the extract contained alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, carbohydrates, and carotenoids. The highest antioxidant activity was found in the largest-sized (17.9 cm) leaf extract of L. elliptica, with a percentage of 57.4%. Meanwhile, the lowest antioxidant activity (19.5%) was found in the smallest-sized (7.1 cm) leaf extract. The results show that L. elliptica leaf extract could be a source of natural antioxidants.