Biological activities of sweet potato (<i>Ipomoea batatas</i> L.) tips and tubers

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the biological activities of sweet potato tips and tubers. Antioxidant activity of 2,2-azino-bis 93-ethlbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities had the highest value of 32.45 mg, AAE/g, and 15.10 mg AAE/g, respectively, in '<i>Pungwonmi</i>' tips. Angiotensin converting enzyme I inhibitory activity ranged between 47.72% in '<i>Sinjami</i>' tubers and 62.25% in '<i>Pungwonmi</i>' tips. α-Glucosidase inhibitory activity had the highest value of 78.81% and 62.93% in '<i>Pungwonmi</i>' tips and '<i>Juhwangmi</i>' tubers, respectively. In particular, '<i>Pungwonmi</i>' tips had the most effective inhibiting effect on intracellular reactive oxygen species levels in HepG2 cells. Wound healing assay result revealed that '<i>Sinjami</i>' showed 75% wound healing effect. For skin whitening, '<i>Pungwonmi</i>' tips showed 63% activity at 10 mg/ml. These results suggest that sweet potato tips and tubers can be used to develop functional food and cosmetic materials.