Effect of different drying temperature on antioxidant properties of red sessile joy weed (Alternanthera sessilis) and its application in coconut milk

Abstract

Red sessile joyweed (Alternanthera sessilis) is believed to have high antioxidant properties which made it being used for medicinal properties in all over the world. This study was carried out to determine the effect of different drying temperature (50, 60, 70 and 80 ° C) on its antioxidant properties. The extract of the plant that has been dried at temperature gave the least effect on its antioxidant properties which was applied into coconut milk to see its ability in inhibit the oxidation process. The antioxidant activity was determined using ferric thiocyanate (FTC) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method while the radical scavenging activity was measured by 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylydrazyl (DPPH) method. The extract which had been dried at 80 C shows significantly stronger antioxidant and scavenging activity but not significantly difference (P < 0.05) with the fresh sample and BHT (2, 6-di-tert-butyl-p-hydroxytoluene ). The extracts also show a good inhibition of lipid oxidation after being applied in coconut milk.