ABSTRACT
Free radical cause many diseases, for instance, aging, cancer, coronary heart disease, arthritis, and nervous system abnormality. Normally, free radical formation is controlled naturally by various beneficial compounds known as antioxidants. Antioxidants can be classified into natural and synthetic groups. Moreover, several analytical methods have been used for qualitative and quantitative determination of antioxidants, and each has its specificity. This project aimed to evaluate antioxidant activity of ethanolic and aqueous extracts from the white popinac (Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit) measured by DPPH and Hydroxyl radical scavenging method. The results showed that averaged antioxidant activity measured in ethanolic extract (µmol Ascorbic acid equivalent/g fresh mass) of white popinac were 27.97 ± 0.33 and 0.46 ± 0.05 as determined by DPPH radical scavenging activity and Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity assays, respectively. Averaged antioxidant activity measured in aqueous extract (µmol Ascorbic acid equivalent/g fresh mass) of white popinac were 27.43 ± 0.37 and 1.80 ± 0.02 as determined by DPPH radical scavenging activity and Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity assays respectively.
Keywords: Free radical, Antioxidant, White popinac, Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit.