Abstract

PRESENCE OF POTENT ANTIOXIDANT PHYTOCHEMICALS IN SEEDS OF CARICA PAPAYA LINN.

Vijaya Shrivastava Kaushal*, Akhilesh Ayachi and Karuna S. Verma

ABSTRACT

In search for potential of common trees of Central India as antioxidants, we investigated the seeds of Carica papaya Linn. for the DPPH radical scavenging activity. The phytochemicals able to scavenge DPPH free radicals were extracted with ethyl acetate. Upon gel filtration using silica gel 60-120 mesh, the active fractions appeared in fraction number 17-21. This pooled fraction showed a prominent yellow band upon thin layer chromatography developed with DPPH free radical with a Rf=0.82, showing potent antioxidants. The corresponding band from undeveloped TLC plates was scratched off and subjected to LC ESI MS. The results showed presence of catechin and quercetin derivatives along with possible presence of pinocembrin, a compound never reported from Carica papaya.

Keywords: Carica papaya, antioxidants, DPPH free radical, pinocembrin, LCMS.