Phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity of selected underutilized plants in Nadir Plot Taman Botani, Sri Medan, Johor

¹ Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, KM1, Jln Panchor, 84600 Panchor, Johor, Malaysia
² Advanced Herbal and Ethnomedical Research (AdHerb) Focus Group, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, KM1, Jln Panchor, 84600 Panchor, Johor, Malaysia
³ Pejabat Taman Botani Johor, Jabatan Landskap Negeri Johor, PTD 8744, Mukim 18 Sri Medan, 83400 Sri Medan, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia

^* Corresponding author: furzani@uthm.edu.my

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine phytochemical content and antioxidant activity of selected underutilized plants in the Nadir plot in Taman Botani such as Phyllanthus acidus, Diospyrus dicolour, Flacourtia rukam and Anacardium occidentale. The total phenolic content was analyzed using Folin Ciocalteu and total flavonoid content was analyzed using aluminium chloride. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH radical scavenging, ABTS radical scavenging and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power assay. The results showed that the phenolic content for Flacourtia rukam leaves was the highest with 87.17 ± 0.5890 mg GAE/g, Phyllanthus acidus leaves had the highest total flavonoid content value with 149.83 ± 0.5768 mg RE/g. DPPH, radical scavenging showed that Anacardium occidentale has the lowest IC₅₀ value of 57.9132 ± 15.03802 µg/mL. Therefore, it has the strongest antioxidant potential. However, the results for ABTS radical scavenging showed that Phyllanthus acidus has the lowest IC₅₀ value of 3.7581 ± 5.8748 µg/mL, which has the strongest antioxidant activity. Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power assay method, Flacourtia rukam shows the highest FRAP value with 9.9336 mM Fe²⁺ /L. In conclusion utilising Phyllanthus acidus, Diospyrus dicolour, Flacourtia rukam and Anacardium occidentale as sources of phytochemicals could offer opportunities for nutraceutical and functional food applications.