Abstract

IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF SELECTED AQUATIC WEEDS OF KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT OF SOUTH INDIA

R. Bright* and M. Kanagappan

ABSTRACT

Five aquatic weeds were investigated for their total antioxidant, total phenol and flavonoids using appropriate protocol. The least IC50 (Maximum free radical scavenging) value 26.22±0.39 ụg ml-1 was found with Lemna minor and Maximum (Least free radical scavenging) of 95.03±0.79 ụg ml-1 was found with Pistia stratiotes in comparison with IC50 of 14.02±0.04ụg ml-1of ascorbic acid, a reference antioxidant used (DPPH assay).Total phenols were estimated using Folin-ciocalteu method and the least value of 30.77±0.32 mg g-1 GAE found in P. stratiotes and maximum of 37.76±0.11 mg g-1 GAE with Ceretophyllum demersum. Total flavonoids of 2.98±0.12 mg QE g-1 was found in Hydrilla verticillata and 23.84±0.27mg QE g-1 with L. minor based on colorimetric aluminium chloride method.

Keywords: Weeds, free radical scavenging activity, total phenol, flavonoids.