Abstract:
Polygonum minus and Kaempferia galangal not only used as 'ulam' but this herbs are
also high in antioxidative constituents that important in medicinal value. The objectives
of this research were to determine and to compare the concentrations of a-tocopherol,
ascorbic acid and carotenoid content as well as catalase, ascorbate peroxidase (APx), and
guaiacol peroxidase (POD) specific activity of Polygonum minus (kesum) and
Kaempferia galangal (cekur). Polygonum minus exhibited significantly higher
concentrations of ascorbic acid as well as ascorbate peroxidase (APx) specific activities
compared to Kaempferia galangal. Contrastly, guaiacol peroxidase (POD) specific
activity were significantly higher in Kaempferia galangal compared to Polygonum minus.
No significant differences were observed in carotenoid, a-tocopherol, and catalase
specific activity of both plants. The results suggest that Polygonum minus is a good
source of natural dietry antioxidant as compared to Kaempferia gal an gal.
