Antioxidant activity of Aegle marmelos and Psidium guajava leaves

Abstract

Aegle marmelos, Bilwa (AM) and Psidium guajava, Guava, (PG) leaves were screened for phytochemicals by sequential extraction using a series of solvents. The antioxidant components such as β-carotene, α-Tocopherol, gluta- thione, ascorbic acid, total polyphenols and flavonoids were also analyzed. In addition, the leaves were extracted with methanol (ME), ethanol (EE) and water (WE) and the polyphenol content, antioxidant activities by 2, 2; - diphenyl 1- picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method and reducing power was determined. Majority of phytochemicals were found in methanol and water extracts of Aegle marmelos, methanol and water extracts and in Psidium guajava, ter- penoids and steroids were found in all the sequential extracts. Aegle marmelos was rich in tocopherols, glutathione, a s- corbic acid and flavonoids, whereas Psidium guajava, was rich in β-carotene and total polyphenols. The three extracts showed varying degree of antioxidant efficacy in each assay. Water extract (WE) of both the samples showed maximum radical scavenging activity and reducing power. In Psidium guajava extracts with high polyphenol content showed max- imum antioxidant activity. Results indicate that the Aegle marmelos and Psidium guajava has the potential to be utilized as sources of natural a ntioxidants especially the polyphenols.