DPPH Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Some LeafyrnVegetables used by Tribals of Odisha, India

Abstract

The objective of the present investigation was to conduct phytochemical screening of phenolic content andrnantioxidant activity of six leafy vegetables used by tribals of Koraput district in odisha in different extracts. Thernresults revealed that Olax psittacorum has the highest antioxidant activity which is very close to leucas aspera.rnOther four leafy vegetables like Ipomoea Cairica, Commelina benghalensis, Cassia tora and Bauhinia purpurea arernalso equally potent. The results show that the ethanolic extract possesses more antioxidant activity than methanolrnand hexane extract. The phytochemical analysis of leafy vegetables indicates the presence of phenolic contents inrndifferent degrees and the positive correlation between antioxidant activity and total polyphenols (r=0.993) suggestsrnthat phenolic compounds are the major antioxidant components in the leafy vegetables. The results indicate that richrnphenolics of the leafy vegetables and its high antioxidant activity may be responsible for its wide use in the diet ofrntribals and may provide a source of dietary antioxidants.