3. Studies on the free radical scavenging activity of Syagrus romanzoffiana

In the present study, the antioxidant potentials of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.) Glassman. fruit pulp were investigated. Standard methods were adopted to screen antioxidant and phytochemical nature of this plant. The antioxidant activity was assessed through DPPH assay and reducing power assay. In vitro antioxidant activity of the plant extract revealed that both the extracts showed good antioxidant power with IC50 values of 14μg/mL and 15μg/mL for methanolic extract and aqueous extract respectively which is almost comparable to standard antioxidant ascorbic acid (IC50-4μg/mL). The reducing power of the extract was found to be concentration dependent. Results of Phytochemical screening of the extracts showed the presence of steroids, tannis, aminoacids and carbohydrates. The total phenolic content was determined by Folin-Ciocalteu method. Both the extracts showed the highest total phenolics i.e., 46.65mg/g (aqueous extract) and 78.3mg/g (methanolic extract) equivalent weight of gallic acid.