Analysis of antioxidant activity of five tropical fruits.
Srivastava Pragati, Saini Pinki
Author Affiliation: Center of Food Technology, University of Allahabad, Allahabad, 211 002, India.
Trends in Biosciences 7 : 1242-1245
Abstract : Fruits contain abundant of vitamins and nutrients. They are also rich in antioxidants that help in lowering incidence of degenerative diseases such as cancer, arthritis, arteriosclerosis, heart disease, inflammation, brain dysfunction and acceleration of the ageing process. The objective of the present study was to analyze the physicochemical parameters, antioxidant capacity of selected tropical fruits (i.e. papaya, pomegranate, pineapple, mango and orange) on the basis of total ascorbic acid content, DPPH radical scavenging activity, Ferric reducing power, FRAP assay, beta carotene content, total phenolic content and total tannin content. The physicochemical parameters analyzed were moisture, Acidity, Pectin content, pH, Reducing sugar, Total sugar, and crude fiber. Results show that DPPH radical scavenging activity was found to be highest in pineapple i.e. 294.78±0.86. Though the FRAP method showed pomegranate with highest ferric reducing power i.e. 42.20±2.87 which was significantly different with others. ? carotene content was estimated higher in papaya fruits 7.42±1.33 and there is no significant difference in the values of orange, pineapple, pomegranate and mango. Total polyphenolic content was estimated highest in pomegranate 13.58±0.66. Thus, it was concluded that the selected tropical fruits have high antioxidant properties which are beneficial for human health.