Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant Activity in Ecoenzymes with Variations in Carbon Sources

¹ Departement of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Universitas Negeri Padang, Padang, Indonesia
² Center Research of Recycling and Organic Waste Management, Universitas Negeri Padang, Padang, Indonesia
³ Research Center for Climate Change, Universitas Negeri Padang, Padang, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: siskaalicia@fmipa.unp.ac.id

Abstract

Ecoenzyme is a fermented solution from a mixture of fruit skin waste, vegetables, water and sugar. The fermentation process of various types of natural ingredients is known to be able to increase the content of various phytochemical compounds and antioxidants in these products. Phytochemicals are secondary metabolites that act as antioxidants. Antioxidants are compounds that can overcome oxidative damage due to reactive oxygen compounds that play a role in capturing free radicals. The purpose of this study was to determine the phytochemical and antioxidant content of each ecoenzyme. This type of research is descriptive. Ecoenzyme extraction was carried out by maceration method using three different solvents namely distilled water, methanol and ethanol. Phytochemical screening was carried out by qualitative methods. The antioxidant activity test was measured using the DPPH (1,1-Diphenyl-2-Prikrylhidrazil) method. The results showed that the ecoenzymes identified alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins. The antioxidant activity of the ecoenzyme with methanol extract (IC50 value) was 100.052 ppm (moderate activity category), while the antioxidant activity of the other ecoenzyme sample extracts had weak antioxidant properties. The conclusion from this study is that ecoenzyme contains phytochemicals and antioxidant activity that can be applied to some field research.