Antioxidant Activity: Root, Leaves and Fruits Aqueous Extracts of MuntingiaCalabura

Abstract

Aim: To determine the antioxidant activity of the water extract of root, leaves and fruit of MuntingiaCalabura were evaluated for their antioxidant activity. Materials& Methods: The phytochemical analysis antioxidant activity of the extract was studies using plant’s root, leaves and fruits. Results & Discussion: extracts showed that, each extract contains rich with proteins, carbohydrates, polyphenols, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, chlorophyll and negligible amount of α-tocopherol. The antioxidant activity of the above was evaluated by DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity. Standard antioxidants like BHA, Curcumin and α-tocopherol were used as positive control.  The leaf extract (52%) showed more antioxidant activity in comparison to fruit extract (25%) and the root extract (43%) showed less. Conclusion: The above antioxidant activity of the extracts may due to the presence of phytochemicals like polyphenols, proteins, flavonoids, ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol