Comparative analysis of antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content of some selected fruits in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

Antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content of aqueous extract of some selected fruits (Citrus aurantifolia, Citrus reticulata, Daucas carota, Mallus pumila (green and red varieties), Citrullus vulgaris, Citrus sinensis, Ananas comosus and Citrus paradisi ) were evaluated using Ferric ion Reducing Antioxidant Potential (FRAP) assay and Folin-coicalteau method. The results showed that the antioxidant activity (AA) of the fruits ranged from 0.93(Citrullus vulgaris) to 4.61(Citrus sinensis) μmoleTrolox equivalent/ml while the total phenolic content (TPC) of the fruits ranged from 89.47(Citrullus vulgaris) to 428.99(Citrus sinensis)mgGAE/ml. A high correlation between total phenolics and antioxidant capacity was observed. The fruits
investigated in the study are shown to be rich sources of antioxidant compounds which when included in the normal diet can be utilized as scavengers of free radicals thereby preventing the incidence of chronic and degenerative diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases and other age related diseases prevalent in developing countries.