Fortification of curd using Delonix regia flower petal extract and estimation of its phytochemical, antibacterial & antioxidant activity

Abstract

Delonix regia commonly known as gulmohar is a traditional medicinally used plant in Africa and Asia. The water extract of flowers is used as a healthy beverage. In this study dried floral petals of Delonix regia were examined for their phytochemicals including total flavanoid, tannin and phenol content, antioxidant efficacy, fat and monomeric anthocyanin content followed by GC-MS analysis for the detection of secondary metabolites and finally antibacterial activity of the extracts prepared with water, methanol and acetone respectively. The results revealed a good antioxidant activity (DPPH radical scavenging assay) with highest for water and satisfactory results for antibacterial activity tested against Shigella, S.epidermidis, and E.coli. The phytochemical analysis showing the presence of phenols, flavanoids and tannins also show these compounds to be present in higher amounts which account for the antioxidant activity as well. The crude alkaloid content was low and fat content was almost negligible