Extraction and evaluation of antioxidant in 'mas cotek' (Ficus deltoidea Jack)

Abstract

Antioxidants are well known for its inhibitory activity against free radical damages either in food products or health. Recently, many studies have been carried out and found that natural sources such as plants and herbs possess a strong antioxidative activity. Realizing the benefits of antioxidant to human health, this study was conducted to determine the antioxidative activity of various extract of Ficus deltoidea leaf and stem. Methanol and ethyl acetate were used as extraction solvent. The antioxidant activity was measured by using Ferric Thiocyanate method (FTC). Proximate analysis were carried out to determine the nutrient composition of leaf, stem and fruit of Ficus deltoidea. For the chemical analysis, there is significant difference (p<0.05) on the moisture, ash, protein, and fiber for leaf, stem, and fruit of 'Mas Cotek' (Ficus deltoidea). For the solvent analysis, there is significant difference for each sample which were extracts using different solvent and different drying method. As for antioxidant analysis using FTC method, different solvent used showed significant difference (p<0.05) in antioxidative activities of samples dried using hot air and freeze drying. It was found that freeze drying preserved more of the antioxidant activities in methanol and ethyl acetate extract of' Mas Cotek'. All methanol 'Mas cotek' leaf and stem have the antioxidant activities which were good a Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT). All methanol 'Mas Cotek' sample showed significantly higher (p<0.05) antioxidative activity compared to a-tocopherol (0.7821:0.054). Besides this, all ethyl acetate 'Mas Cotek' extracts showed significantly higher (p<0.05) antioxidative antioxydative activity compared to a-tocopherol (0.