Effect of extraction solvents on the phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities of bunga kantan (Etlingera elatior Jack.) inflorescence

In the present study, we investigated the effect of methanol, acetone (50%, 90% and 100%, v/v) and distilled water on the extractability of some of the antioxidant compounds (total phenols, tannins, flavonoids, anthocyanins) of bunga kantan inflorescence (Etlingera elatior Jack.). The antioxidant activity of each individual extract was also evaluated through DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-pic-rylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Of all the solvents employed, 50% acetone extract showed highest amount of total phenols (687.0 mg GAE/100 g) and total flavonoids (1431 mg QE/100 g), while 50% methanol extract showed maximum (5.9 mg c-3-gE/100 g) recovery for anthocyanins. Tannin extractability was found to be highest with 100% methanol (467.8 mg CE/100 g). The results obtained suggest the use of bunga kantan inflorescence as a potential source of natural antioxidants for food and nutraceutical applications. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.