The antioxidative compounds of Melastoma malabathricum L. (senduduk) in leaf tissues (white and purple petals)

Abstract

The health promoting effect of antioxidants from plants is thought to arise from their potential effects on the reactive oxygen species (ROS). Currently, the use of natural antioxidant, particularly, the phenolic substances including non-enzymatic and enzymatic in food, as well as preventive and therapeutic medicine, is gaining much recognition because of their health benefits. The objectives of this study are to determine and compare the antioxidative compounds [(carotenoid, ascorbic acid, 0tocopherol as well as specific activity of catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APx) and guaiacol peroxidase (POD)] in leaves of Melastoma malabathricum L. (senduduk) of white and purple petal. Leaves of white petal contained significantly (p<0.05) higher concentration of ascorbic acid and carotenoid as well as catalase (CAT) specific activity compared to purple petal.