Sains Malaysiana 41(10)(2012): 1217–1221

Total Polyphenol Content and Free Radical Scavenging Activity

of Cornsilk (Zea mays hairs)

(Kandungan Polifenol Jumlah dan Aktiviti Perencatan Radikal Bebas dalam

Rerambut Jagung Muda (Zea mays Hairs)

W.I. Wan Rosli *

Nutrition Program, School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus

16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia

A.R Nurhanan & S.S.J. Mohsin,

School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia

Diserahkan: 27 Julai 2011 / Diterima: 21 Mei 2012

ABSTRACT

Total polyphenol content and free radical scavenging activity of cornsilk (Zea mays hairs) extracts were determined. Our result showed the total polyphenol content of methanolic and water extracts were 272.81 mgGAE/100 g and 256.36 mgGAE/100 mg dry plant, respectively. The total flavanoid content of methanolic extract (38.01 mg catechin equivalent/100 g) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than the water extract (4.11 mg catechin equivalent/100 g). In radical scavenging activity, the activity of methanolic extract was significantly higher (p<0.05) than the water extract. The methanolic extract scavenged at 81.7% of free radicals at 1000 μg/mL while the water extract showed 63.5% of inhibition. In conclusion, cornsilk contained high polyphenol components with strong free radical scavenging activity thus could be considered as potential source of natural antioxidant.

Keywords: Antioxidant assay; cornsilk (Zea mays hairs); radical scavenging activity; total polyphenol

ABSTRAK

Kandungan jumlah polifenol dan aktiviti perencatan radikal bebas dalam ekstrak rerambut jagung muda (Zea mays hairs) telah ditentukan. Hasil kajian mendapati jumlah kandungan polifenol dalam ekstrak metanolik and berair masing-masing adalah 272.81 mgGAE/100 g dan 256.36 mgGAE/100 mg (asas kering). Kandungan flavanoid bagi ekstrak metanolik (38.01 mg catechin/100 g) adalah lebih tinggi secara signifikan (p<0.05) daripada ekstrak berair (4.11 mg catechin/100 g). Dalam aktiviti perencatan radikal bebas, peratus perencatan ekstrak metanolik adalah lebih tinggi secara signifikan (p<0.05) berbanding dengan ekstrak berair. Ekstrak metanolik merencat sebanyak 81.7% pada 1000 μg/mL sementara ekstrak berair menunjukkan peratus perencatan sebanyak 63.5%. Kesimpulannya, sutera jagung mengandungi komponen polifenol yang tinggi dengan aktiviti perencatan radikal bebas yang kuat. Hal ini mencadangkan sutera jagung untuk dipertimbangkan sebagai sumber anti-pengoksida semula jadi yang berpotensi.

Kata kunci: Aktiviti perencatan radikal bebas; polifenol jumlah; sutera jagung; ujian antioksida

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*Pengarang surat-menyurat; email: wrosli@kck.usm.my