Abstract

PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF DIFFERENT EXTRACT OF HYLOCEREUS UNDATUS STEM

Mohammad Saiful Alam, Sarwar Kamal Rayhan, Sujon Kanti Das and Nahid Sultana*

ABSTRACT

Hylocereus undatus is a popular and extensively used therapeutic plants which is usually known as dragon fruit that has health promoting qualities and various intriguing bioactive compounds. The main purpose of the present study is to analyze the phytochemical and biological properties as well as to identify total phenolic contents and antioxidant activity of Hylocereus undatus stem extract by using different solvents such as n-hexane, ethanol and water. Phytochemical studies such as proximate analysis, preliminary phytochemical screening and in vitro antioxidant activity were carried out by determine antioxidant capacity and reducing power assay. Total phenolic content was carried out by using Folin-Ciocalteu’s reagent. Phytochemical screening of Hylocereus undatus stem exhibited the presence of alkaloid, reducing sugar, saponin, tannins, flavonoid. Aqueous extract (AE) showed highest reducing power assay (1000 g/ml), indicated appreciable antioxidant activity whereas ethanol extract (EE) showed highest antioxidant capacity (457.580.006 AAE/gm) and total phenolic content than other extracts. Hence, it can be concluded that the stem of Hylocereus undatus could be pharmaceutically utilized for antioxidant and other biological properties.

Keywords: Hylocereus undatus; Phytochemical; Antioxidant activity; total phenolic content.