Evaluation of antioxidant properties of fruit...

Evaluation of antioxidant properties of fruit extracts of Cactus (Opuntia ficus- indica) grown in Saurashtra region of Gujarat

Author Name : Dr. Sumita Dasgupta, Alpesh Khatarani

ABSTRACT

Cactus (Opuntia ficus- indica) commonly known as prickly pear belonging to the family Cactaceae, produces sweet, nutritionally rich edible fruits. The health benefits of the cactus fruit are believed to be due to their antioxidative properties. In the current study, fruits were procured from Saurashtra region of Gujarat.Sequential method of extraction was adopted for the preparation of fruit extracts of cactus with solvents viz., methanol, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. The total phenolic content(TPC) andtotal flavonoid content (TFC) of these extracts was determined.The antioxidant efficacy of the extracts was ascertained using in vitro assays; DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate) free radical scavenging assay, ABTS (2,2’-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) scavenging activity and FRAP (Ferric reducing antioxidant power) assay. TFC of the methanolic extract of the fruit was found to be maximum (375.33 ± 0.15 mg/gm QE). All the extracts showed moderate to strong antioxidant activities.  The methanolic extract showed very strong DPPH radical scavenging activity (89.12 ± 0.46 %) and ABTS scavenging activity (68.55± 0.50%).  N- Butanol extractshowed maximum value ( 67.51 ± 0.31 mg AAE/100gm) for FRAP assay. The results showed that the fruit of Opuntia ficus- indica available in Gujarat is an excellent  source of antioxidants and consumption of the fruit can be recommended.

Key Words: Antioxidants, Opuntia ficus- indica,Nutraceutical benefits,Phenolics.