Relationship of antioxidant properties, phytochemical and toxicity profile of wild adlay (Coix lacryma -jobi L. var. Agrotis) extracts: A principal component analysis approach

Abstract

The consumption of whole grains could prevent several chronic diseases. Several active compounds of whole grains have been associated with these health benefits. This study aims to evaluate the relationship antioxidant properties, phytochemical, and toxicity profiles of various extracts of wild adlay (C. lacryma-jobi) var. agrotis. The methanolic extract of wild adlay was achieved using the maceration method and then fractionated using hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and water. It was revealed that the total phenolic contents of wild adlay extract and its fractions ranged from 0.19 to 166.67 mg GAE/g extract while the total flavonoid contents ranged from 6.01 to 22.23 mg QE/g extract, respectively. The ethyl acetate fraction has the highest level of total phenolic and total flavonoid contents with 166.67 mg GAE/g and 22.23 mg QE/g extract, respectively. Antioxidant activity using DPPH assay also showed that the ethyl acetate fraction of wild adlay has the highest antioxidant activity of 131.72 mg ascorbic acid equivalent/g extract compared to other extracts. The FTIR analysis showed that various wild adlay extract and fractions having phenol, lipid, and glycoside, meanwhile the toxicity test of extract and fractions wild adlay shows that the ethyl acetate fraction has a very low LC50 value (65.73 μg/ml) when compared to other extracts and fractions. Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to relate antioxidant properties, phytochemical compounds, and toxicity into homogenous groups. Knowing the relationship of antioxidant, toxicity, and phytochemical of wild adlay gives valuable information about its potential application as a source of natural and functional food products.