Event Title
Determination of the Antioxidant Potential, Total Phenolic Content and Total Flavonoid Content of Vernonia amygdalina
Location
CSU 284
Start Date
27-4-2009 10:00 AM
End Date
27-4-2009 12:00 PM
Student's Major
Biological Sciences
Student's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Mentor's Name
Danae Quirk Dorr
Mentor's Department
Chemistry and Geology
Mentor's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Description
The biological activities of compounds present in Vernonia amygdalina (VA) have been the focus of recent investigations. Antioxidants are known to demonstrate anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective activities as a result of their ability to kill free radicals. Antioxidants are also known to prevent degenerative diseases. Previous studies have also shown that antioxidant compounds contain components such as phenols and flavonoids. The aim of this study was to examine VA to determine its antioxidant activity, its total phenolic content and its total flavonoid content. The samples of VA that were analyzed had been extracted by solvents including ethyl acetate, hexanes, methanol and deionized water. The measure of the antioxidant activity of VA was determined based on the ability of VA to scavenge 2, 2-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl hydrate (DPPH) radicals. Similar tests were carried out on the VA samples to investigate the phenolic content using Folin-Denis reagent and sodium bicarbonate monohydrate. Comparisons were then made between the results and a tannic acid standard curve. For the total flavonoid content, the VA samples were mixed with deionized water, sodium nitrate, aluminium trichloride, and sodium hydroxide. Then, the absorbance was taken and compared to that of rutin. The various solvent-extracted VA samples showed different degrees of activity. Further investigations could be done to isolate the specific antioxidant compounds and to observe their reaction with DNA.
Determination of the Antioxidant Potential, Total Phenolic Content and Total Flavonoid Content of Vernonia amygdalina
CSU 284
The biological activities of compounds present in Vernonia amygdalina (VA) have been the focus of recent investigations. Antioxidants are known to demonstrate anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective activities as a result of their ability to kill free radicals. Antioxidants are also known to prevent degenerative diseases. Previous studies have also shown that antioxidant compounds contain components such as phenols and flavonoids. The aim of this study was to examine VA to determine its antioxidant activity, its total phenolic content and its total flavonoid content. The samples of VA that were analyzed had been extracted by solvents including ethyl acetate, hexanes, methanol and deionized water. The measure of the antioxidant activity of VA was determined based on the ability of VA to scavenge 2, 2-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl hydrate (DPPH) radicals. Similar tests were carried out on the VA samples to investigate the phenolic content using Folin-Denis reagent and sodium bicarbonate monohydrate. Comparisons were then made between the results and a tannic acid standard curve. For the total flavonoid content, the VA samples were mixed with deionized water, sodium nitrate, aluminium trichloride, and sodium hydroxide. Then, the absorbance was taken and compared to that of rutin. The various solvent-extracted VA samples showed different degrees of activity. Further investigations could be done to isolate the specific antioxidant compounds and to observe their reaction with DNA.
Recommended Citation
Okitikpi, Cybill E.. "Determination of the Antioxidant Potential, Total Phenolic Content and Total Flavonoid Content of Vernonia amygdalina." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 27, 2009.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2009/oral-session-06/2
