Nipah (Nypa fruticans Wurmb.) fruit as a potential natural antioxidant source

Abstract

Nipah is one of mangrove plant that grows in coastal areas. South Sumatra province has a region with a watershed which is overgrown with nipah plants. Until now, nipah fruit has a low economic value because of the lacks of knowledge about the processing techniques of nipah fruit and the lacks of scientific attention which cover up the potential of nipah fruit as a functional food. This study aims to reveal the potential of nipah fruit, especially as natural antioxidants source. Total phenolics content (TPC) and antioxidant activities of Nypa fruticans fruit extracts (ripe and unripe) have been analyzed. Fruit extract from unripe nipah fruits (FEUN) got the highest phenolics content (121.3 ± 3.3 mg GAE/g). Radical scavenging activity of FEUN, assessed by 1, 1-diphenyl-2 - picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals showed inhibitory activity about 81 ± 3.1%RSA. Hopefully, this research could reveal the potential of nipah fruit as a potential source of natural antioxidant.