Phytochemical Screening, Determination of Antioxidant Activity and Alpha-Amylase Inhibitory Activity of Nypa fruticans Sugar

Abstract

Abstract Nypa fruticans Wurmb belongs to the family of Arecaceae and one of the most widely distributed palms in the mangrove forests in the Southeast Asia. Nypa palm sugar or known as “Gula Apong” are expected to benefit wider community as a substitute sweetener. In this study, phytochemical screening, antioxidant activity and alpha-amylase inhibitory activity of water (H2O) extract, methanol (MeOH) extract, ethanol (EtOH) extract and ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract were conducted. Phytochemical screening of H2O extract, MeOH extract and EtOH extract indicated the presence of saponin, terpenoids, phenol, flavonoids and tannins while EtOAc extract only shown the presence of terpenoid, phenol and tannin. The antioxidant activity of extracts was determined based on 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH). The EC50 value for H2O extract, MeOH extract and EtOH extract, EtOAc extract and ascorbic acid were 221.3 mg/mL, 576.0 mg/mL, 183.7 mg/mL, 1331.0 mg/mL and 28.6 mg/mL respectively. The antidiabetic activity of nypa palm sugar extracts was determined by the inhibition of alpha-amylase. Based on the results, IC50 value for extracts were 545.1 mg/mL (H2O extract), 124.2 mg/mL (MeOH extract), 109.4 mg/mL (EtOH extract) and 44.37 mg/mL (acarbose). The results also revealed that EtOH extract exhibited highest inhibition compared to other extracts. The highest inhibition of the EtOH extract was 44.35% which observed at a concentration of 100 mg/mL.