Elucidation of total phenolic content and antioxidant activity in medicinal Aroid, Alocasia longiloba Miq.

Abstract

Alocasia longiloba Miq belongs to Araceae family, believed to have the medicinal potential. However, the scientific evidences on this plant were limited. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity of the different extracts (methanol, ethyl acetate and hexane) of A. longiloba leaf blades. The TPC was investigated by Folin-Ciocalteu method and antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH scavenging assay. The results showed ethyl acetate extract had the highest content of phenolic with 46.013 mg GAE/g followed by methanol extract (32.936 mg GAE/g) and hexane extract (31.782 mg GAE/g). The hexane extract exhibited the highest DPPH antioxidant acitivity, followed by ethyl acetate and methanol with IC50values 2.519 μg/mL, 2.758 μg/mL and 9.542 μg/mL respectively. The results indicate A. longiloba has natural sources of antioxidant that can be used for the medicinal purposes.