Antioxidant potential of phenolic extracts of Mimusops elengi

Objective:To evaluate the antioxidant potential of the phenolic extracts of Mimusops elengi(M.elengi) L.(Sapotaceae).Methods:The extract of stem bark and seeds of M.elengi were prepared in methanol and acefone:water(7:3).The acetone:water was further partitioned with ethyl acetate and n-butanol.Antioxidant activity of the extracts and partitioned fractions of M.elengi was evaluated in terms of radical scavenging potential(DPPH),inhibition of lipid peroxidation[ferric thiocyanate(FTC)],and total antioxidant activity(phosphomolybdate method).Total phenolics content were calculated using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent.Results:The stem bark extract partitioned with ethyl acetate exhibited highest amount ol total phenols(98.0 mg GAE/g dry weight),among all other extracts,with 92.0%DPPH radical scavenging activity al concentration of0.5 mg/mL.while methanol extract(stem bark) had maximum inhibition ol lipid peroxidation(62.0%)and total antioxidant activity(771.0 mg/g GAE/g).A positive correlation occurred between tolal phenols and radical scavenging activity(R^2 = 0.9229) and total antioxidant activity(R^2= 0.9451).Conclusions:Our study suggested that antioxidant activity of stembark extract of M.elengi is due the presence of phenolic compounds.Furthermore,the hark extract is a valuable source of natural antioxidants.