IPB Student Found Antioxidants from 30-Year-Old Surian Leaves

Students of the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), Lizza Fauziah Suroya, managed to find antioxidants from natural ingredients that are easily obtained in the community. The antioxidant was obtained from 30 year-old surian leaves.

Surian leaves used in the research were obtained from Sumedang, West Java. Previous research on the extract of 15 years old surian leaves from Sumedang area had been done. While, research on leaves derived from 30-year-old surian plants hasn’t yet.

"Previously, 30 year old surian leaves do not have any benefit and do not produce anything. But from this research, it is known that there are important benefits contained in this 30-year-old surian leaf extract," said Lizza.

She said the surian leaves were extracted using water solvents and 70 and 96 percent ethanol. "The solvents used are water and ethanol. Water is commonly consumed by people when taking herbs and ethanol is known to be safe as solvents," Lizza said.

The research showed that surian leaves extract contained compounds such as flavonoid, tannins, saponins, and triterpenoids. Further research was then conducted, i.e. to test the antioxidant activity of the active compound content. The parameter used to test the antioxidant activity was IC50. The value of IC50 is the concentration of extract required to inhibit 50 percent of free radicals.

The 70 percent ethanol extract was known to have the smallest IC50 value compared to other extracts which means it has the highest antioxidant activity against free radicals. The difference of IC50 value can also be seen from comparison of leaf age of the surian. The bioactive compound of 30 year old leaf contained more secondary metabolites in it. These results indicated the amount of compounds with antioxidant activity is assumed affecting the strength of antioxidant activity. (TK)