Abstract

ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF KINEMA - AN ETHNIC FOOD OF SIKKIM

Prasanta Kumar Mitra*, Tanaya Ghosh and Prasenjit Mitra

ABSTRACT

Kinema is one of the ethnic foods of Sikkim. People of ethnic group in Sikkim use kinema as food for diabetics, pregnant & lactating mother. They believe that kinema keeps skin well and prevents inflammation. In view of all these health benefits it was thought worthwhile to evaluate antioxidant potential of kinema. In vitro antioxidant activity of kinema was measured by superoxide anion generation with the help of linoleic acid peroxidation assay, xanthine-xanthine oxidase assay and by DPPH photometric assay as well as by hydroxy radical scavenging assay, ABTS radical scavenging assay and by nitric oxide radical scavenging assay. At the same time total antioxidant capacity of kinema was determined by phosphomolybdenum method and by ferric reducing power (FRP) method. Anti oxidant compounds like ascorbic acid, flavonoids, polyphenol and carotenoid were also estimated in kinema. Results showed that kinema has strong antioxidant activity which was due to high content of polyphenol and flavonoids in kinema. Health benefits of kinema may, therefore, be explained through its antioxidant potential.

Keywords: Kinema, Anti oxidant potential; Ascorbic acid; Carotenoids; Polyphenol; Flavonoid.