Peels of Selected Fruits with Antioxidant and Anthelmintic potential

Abstract

Helminth infestation occurs through one or more intestinal parasitic larvae like Ascaris, whipworm, hookworm, tapeworms etc. This is a serious problem encountered in most of the developing countries, predominantly seen in tropical and subtropical zones. Morbidity and mortality rates are increasing year after year. Various extracts of the peels of Punica granatum, Musa sapientum and Maluspumila were tested for their anti oxidant and anthelmintic potential.In hydrogen peroxide method, at a concentrate of 100 μg/mL, Chloroform, methanol and aqueous extracts of apple peels produced 82.28%, 82.91%and86.6% ; pomegranate peel extracts showed 77.51%, 85.97% and75.98 % and banana peel extracts produced85.16%, 83.18%, and 85.43% free radical scavenging activity resp. All the extracts at a dose of 100 μg/mL showed significant ferric reducing power when compared to the standard ascorbic acid.In the anthelmintic activity determination, methanol extract(40mg/mL) of banana peels showed shortest time of paralysis and death when compared to the standard albendazole. Therefore the peels of selected fruits have potential use in helminth infestations and in free radical mediated diseases.