Preliminary phytochemical analysis and <i>in vitro</i> antioxidant properties of Malaysian ‘Kundang’ (<i>Bouea macrophylla</i> Griffith)

Abstract

The main objective of the present study was to evaluate preliminary phytochemical screening and <em>in vitro </em>antioxidant properties of leaves, ripe and unripe fruit extracts of Malaysian ‘Kundang (<em>Bouea macrophylla </em>Griffith; Family: Anacardiaceae), by using different solvents like water, ethanol, methanol, and hexane. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, sterols and triterpenes, total phenol, tannins, and vitamin C. The prepared extracts from the leaves and fruits of the plant were further investigated for their potential antioxidant activity using radical scavenging DPPH (2,2'-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) technique, which was compared with ascorbic acid, as standard. This study showed that ripe, unripe fruits and leaves of <em>B. macrophylla </em>have higher amounts of various phytochemicals constituents in methanol and aqueous solvents and possess higher amounts of vitamin C. Moreover, aqueous and methanol extracts of leaves, unripe and ripe fruits of <em>B. macrophylla </em>exhibited a remarkable DPPH radical scavenging activity compared with that of the standard. The results revealed that fruit and leaves extracts are a potential source of antioxidants of natural origin.