Abstract

ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY AND PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF TWO IMPORTANT WETLAND PLANTS ENYDRA FLUCTUANS DC AND HYGROPHILA AURICULATA (SCHUMACH.) HEINE

Jayanta Choudhury and Usha Chakraborty*

ABSTRACT

Enydra fluctuans and Hygrophila auriculata has been consumed traditioanally as a vegetable by the communities of North Bengal. Leafy vegetables are a rich source of antioxidants and essential nutrients. The antioxidant activities of the two plants were evaluated using methanolic (MeOH) extracts by DPPH free radical scavenging activity, ABTS, and FRAP assay. Qualitative analysis of phytochemicals was also done using standard methods. The presence of compounds like total phenols, flavanoid, protein, total sugar, reducing sugar, free amino acid and chlorophyll content were also evaluated in these two plants. However, Enydra fluctuans and Hygrophila auriculata exhibited significant differences in their antioxidant values.

Keywords: phytochemicals, phenol, flavonoid, antioxidants, DPPH, ABTS, FRAP.