Extraction and evaluation of antioxidant activity of 'jarum tujuh bilah' (Pereskia bleo) leaf

Abstract

Pereskia is the only cactuses with leaves. Pereskia bleo is believed by the locals, to have anti-cancer, anti-tumour, anti-rheumatic, anti-ulcer and anti-inflammatory activities. Methanol of Pereskia bleo leaf may contain bioactive compound that kill breast carcinoma cell. At concentrations 3 .125 μg/ml and above, the extract killed more than 90% of the cells. The objectives of this study were to study the antioxidant activity and total phenolic content from Pereskia bleo leaves and determine the proximate composition both fruit and leaves. The material of this species bought from Klang, Selangor were used for this study. The fruit made into powder by hot air drying while leaves by hot air drying and freeze drying. The chemical composition, antioxidant activities and the total phenolic content of this species were determined. The antioxidant activity was measured by using Ferris Thiocyanate (FTC) method while the total phenolic content was measured by using Follin-Ciocalteu method. Methanol and ethyl acetate were used as extraction solvent. For the chemical analysis, both fruit and leaf showed significant different (p<0.05) on the moisture, ash, fat, carbohydrate and fiber content. However, fruit of Pereskia bleo showed no significant effect (p<0.05) on the protein content. As for yield of extraction using two solvent, methanol (polar) showed higher level in yield compared with ethyl acetate solvent (nonpolar). The antioxidant analysis using FTC method, different drying method and solvent showed significant (p<0.05) in antioxidative activities. It was found that the freeze drying preserve more of antioxidant activities in methanol than ethyl acetate solvent. All extracts showed higher antioxidant activities which were as good as Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) except ethyl acetate extract prepared by hot air drying.