Antioxidant Activity Test of Purple Passion Fruit Peel Extract ( Passiflora edulis Sims) Using The DPPH Method

Abstract

Skin damage induced by free radicals, particularly from ultraviolet (UV) radiation, is a major contributor to degenerative diseases in Indonesia. Antioxidants play a vital role in mitigating this damage by neutralizing free radicals through electron donation, thereby preventing oxidative stress in cells and tissues. The peel of Passiflora edulis Sims (purple passion fruit), an underutilized agricultural byproduct, contains natural antioxidant compounds such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and vitamin C. This study evaluated the antioxidant activity of an ethanol extract derived from Passiflora edulis Sims peel using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method, analyzed via UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The extraction process employed maceration with 96% ethanol, and antioxidant efficacy was quantified by measuring the IC50 value. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, and steroids in the extract. The results demonstrated that the purple passion fruit peel extract exhibited an IC50 of 188.4 ppm, indicating weak antioxidant activity compared to the strong activity of vitamin C (IC50= 4.36 ppm). These findings suggest that while the ethanol extract of Passiflora edulis Sims peel possesses measurable antioxidant properties, its activity is significantly lower than that of vitamin C. Further research is warranted to optimize extraction techniques and explore other plant components for more potent antioxidant sources.