Evaluation of antioxidant potential and qualitative analysis of major polyphenols by RP-HPLC in Luffa acutangula var. amara Roxb. pericarp extracts

The present study was designed to identify antioxidant potential and phenolic content of Luffa acutangula Var. amara fruit pericarp extracts. The antioxidant activity of the extracts were assessed by using various in-vitro tests such as DPPH, ABTS, superoxides radical, reducing power and phosphomolybdenum assay. Among the all extracts in present study, the ethanolic extract of fruit pericarp produced potent antioxidant activity and showed presence of gallic acid and catechin as confirmed by HPLC. Further, total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also found to have positive correlation with antioxidant potential of the extract. The results of present study clearly indicated that the L. amara fruit pericarp can be used as potential source of natural antioxidant