Radical scavenging activity and total phenolic content of seven tropical plants

Abstract

Seven tropical plants were extracted and evaluated for their radical scavenging activity and Total Phenolic Content (TPC). Total phenolic content was determined by Folin-Ciocalteu reagent equivalent to gallic acid. The plant extracts were obtained by sonication using ethanol as the solvent. Four plant extracts were found as active antioxidant in this work. The research revealed that Schleicera oleosa bark extract had the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity with (IC50) with 6.59 ± 0.013 µg/ml, followed by Anacardium occidentale bark extract 8.07 ± 0.12 µg/ml, Anacardium occidentale leaves extract 9.65 ± 0.05 µg/ml, and Muntingia calabura leaves extract 27.12 ± 0.5 µg/ml. Positive correlation between free radical scavenging activities and Total Phenolic Content (TPC) in plant extracts was observed. Schleicera oleosa contained a highest Total Phenolic Content (TPC) 451.071 ± 3.3 mg/gr GAE, followed by Anacardium occidentale bark extract 327.6 ± 2.7 µg/ml, Anacardium occidentale leaves extract 307.08 ± 0.55 µg/ml, and Muntingia calabura leaves extract 288 ± 0.5 µg/ml. The result suggest that these tropical plants can be used as resources for natural antioxidant.