Antioxidative constituents of Souropus androgynus (cekur manis) and Piper sarmentosum (kaduk)

Abstract

Dietary antioxidants include enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant as well as bioactive plant phenols. The health benefits of 'ulam' are largely due to the antioxidant vitamins supported by the large number of phytochemicals, some with greater antioxidant properties. So, the objective of this study were to determine and to compare the level of antioxidative constituents; carotenoid, ascorbic acid, a­ tocopherol concentration as well as catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APx) and guaiacol peroxidase (POD) specific activities in S. androgynus and P. sarmentosum. P. sarmentosum contained significantly higher concentration of carotenoid as well as POD specific activity while S. androgynus contained significantly higher CAT specific activity compared to P. sarmentosum. There were no significant differences in ascorbic acid and a-tocopherol concentration, as well as in APx specific activity in P. sarmentosum and S. androgynus. Results revealed that both 'ulam' are a good sources of a natural dietary antioxidant for human.