Abstract:
Marinda citrifalia (mengkudu) and Centella asiatica (pegaga) has been used as a
traditional medicine and these two herbaceous plants are essential for human uses due
to its capability to scavenge the free radicals and can cure harmful diseases. The
purpose of this research were to determine and to compare the a-tocopherol, ascorbic
acid and carotenoid concentrations as well as catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and
guaiacol peroxidase specific activities in the leaf tissues of Marinda citrifa/ia and
Centella asiatica. Results showed that Marinda citrifalia contained significantly
higher concentrations of a-tocopherol, ascorbic acid and ascorbate peroxidase
specific activities compared to Centella asiatica. In contrast, Centella asiatica
contained significantly higher concentration of guaiacol peroxidase specific activities
compared to Marinda citrifalia. No significant differences were observed in the
concentration of carotenoid and catalase specific activities of Marinda citrifalia and
Centella asiatica leaf tissues. Results revealed that Marinda citrifolia and Centella
asiatica were a good source of natural dietary antioxidants.
