ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF POMEGRANATE PEEL POWDER

Abstract

The aim of present study was to evaluate in-vitro anti-oxidant properties of Punica granatum fruit (Pomegranate fruit) peel. Antioxidants are molecules involved in defense mechanisms against the deleterious effects of free radicals in most organisms. Antioxidants are the agents responsible for scavenging free radicals. A number of methods are currently being used for the evaluation of the antioxidant and free-radical scavenging properties of natural and synthetic antioxidants, including the DPPH method. The Punica granatum fruit (Pomegranate fruit) peel powder suspension was prepared and the DPPH radical scavenging assay was the method adopted to determine antioxidant potentials of aqueous suspension of pomegranate peel powder. Results revealed that DPPH aqueous solution gave comparable free-radical activity 24 hours post preparation compared with the freshly prepared solution. After 24 hours, activity was greatly reduced. It is, therefore recommended that freshly prepared DPPH solution should be used at all times; however for prolonged experimental schedules, the DPPH solution should be used within 24 hours post preparation, so as to give comparable results with the freshly prepared solution and avoid ambiguity in results interpretation. Aqueous suspension of peel powder showed good antioxidant effect. Phenolic compounds, tannins and flavonoids are the major phytochemicals present in the pomegranate peel. Percentage of inhibition increased with the increased concentration of extracts. The present study provides evidence that the Punica granatum fruit peels is a potential source of natural antioxidant.