Electronic Journal of Biology, 2015, Vol.

11(3): 80-89

Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant Activity of Edible

Wild Fruits in Benguet, Cordillera Administrative Region,
Philippines
Racquel Barcelo*
Faculty, Department of Biology, School of Natural Sciences, Saint Louis University, Bonifacio St.,
Baguio City, Philippines.
*Corresponding author. Tel: 639177508547; E-mail: [email protected]

Received: August 25, 2015; Accepted: September 16, 2015; Published: September 20, 2015

Research Article

Abstract  found in wild fruits that suggest their positive role in

the prevention of diseases [2-4]. Antioxidants are
This study identified the secondary metabolites chemical substances that inhibit oxidation process
present and determined the antioxidant activity by preventing the formation of free radicals that
of 31 edible wild fruits grown in Benguet province, cause damage to healthy cells [5]. Fruit consumption
Cordillera Administrative Region, Philippines. Total reduces risks of chronic degenerative diseases such
polyphenol and flavonoid content were estimated cancer [6]. In the Philippines, cancer is the third
using Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminium chloride method leading cause of death with mortality rates of up to
respectively. Antioxidant activity was measured 50, 000 deaths among Filipinos and growing by five
through diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay. Based on percent every year [7]. It is the leading cause of death
the results, the following bioactive constituents are worldwide projecting an estimated number of 12.1 M
present in the fruits: alkaloids, steroid glycosides, in 2030 [8]. Up to this date, there is no information
saponins, flavonoids, polyphenols and tannins. The on the secondary metabolites, total phenolic content
fruits contain more polyphenols than flavonoids. All and antioxidant activity of edible wild fruits in Benguet
the fruits except Physalis peruviana (Solanaceae) province. As a result, this study was carried out.
exhibited higher antioxidant activity than Vitamin E
(Myra E), ascorbic acid (50 ug/mL), and trolox (1000 2. Methods
uM). Dillenia philippinensis (Dilleniaceae) exhibited
the highest antioxidant activity. The antioxidant 2.1 Collection, transport and storage of fruits
activity of the fruits and controls is significantly Fresh ripe, edible wild fruits (1 kg) were randomly
different (ρ ≤ 0.05). Post-hoc Tukey analysis of data collected by hand picking with the help of some field
reveals that several fruits have equal activity. Finally, assistants from selected barangays of the different
there is a positive moderate correlation (r=0.50) municipalities of Benguet with gratuitous permit no.
between the total polyphenol content and antioxidant DENR-CAR 005-13. Random sampling was carried
activity of the fruits. out which involved taking any ripe fruit to collect in
Keywords: Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) sufficient quantity [9,10]. Through this method, a
activity; Edible wild fruits; Natural antioxidants; diverse range of ripe fruit was sampled and collection
Secondary metabolites. of a large number of fruits was done quickly [11]. The
fruits were packed using zip lock plastic bags and
1. Introduction stored into an ice box which is cool, dark and moist.
Fresh fruits were delivered to the Natural Sciences
Globally, there’s a continuous trend in identifying Research Unit laboratory in Saint Louis University,
the most beneficial dietary fruits. The Philippines, as Baguio City. In the laboratory, the fruits were kept
a tropical country, boasts of rich and diverse plant in an ultra low freezer (Legaci, USA) at -20oC until
resources. In the Cordillera region, Benguet province analysis [12,13]. A total of 31 fruits were collected
is richly endowed with a wide variety of wild fruits. (Figure 1). Samples were botanically authenticated
These fruits are edible but often neglected and by Dr. Teodora Balangcod, botanist from the Northern
underutilized. Luzon University Herbarium at the University of the
Philippines, Baguio. Voucher specimens (SLUH)
The interest on the secondary metabolites present in
were deposited to the Fr. Gerard Braeckman
wild fruits is increasing [1]. Numerous studies have
Museum of Natural History in Saint Louis University,
revealed the antioxidant activities of phytochemicals

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1. Medinilla pendula (agubangbang), 2. Alpinia vanoverberghii (akbab), 3. Ficus minahassae (alomit), 4. Ficus cumingii
(Appas), 5.Vaccinium myrtoides (ayosep), 6. Antidesma montanum (balekesan), 7. Garcinia binucao (balokok) 8. Psidium
guajava (bayabas). 9 Musa rosacea (bayating), 10. Garcinia vidalii (belis), 11. Antidesma bunius (bugnay) 12 Rheedia edulis
(chinese santol), 13 Melastoma malabathricum (dagad-ay), 14 Saurauia sparsifolia (degway), 15 Solanum betacea (dulce),
16 Amomum lepicarpum (gadang), 17 Physalis peruviana (gobbayas), 18 Flacourtia rukam (kaluminga), 19 Leucosyke
benguetensis (lapsek), 20 Calamus manillensis (litoko), 21 Vaccinium barandanum (lusong), 22 Solanum pimpinellifolium
(marble tomato), 23 Passiflora edulis (masaplora), 24. Morus alba (moras), 25 Dillenia philippinensis (palali), 26 Rubus
fraxinifolius (pinit), 27 Leptosolena haenkei (poli), 28 Muntingia calabura (sarisa), 29 Saurauia sp. (soybo), 30 Photinia
serratifolia (sugsuggat), and 31 Saurauia elegans (uyok)
Figure 1. Photographs of edible wild fruits from Benguet province.
Baguio City. in the fruit samples was detected using Mayer’s and
Dragendorff’s tests. Steroids using Keller-Killiani
2.2 Preparation of fruit extracts test for deoxysugars, Liebermann-Burchard test for
Fruits were removed from the freezer and allowed unsaturated sterols and Kedde test for unsaturated
lactones. Anthraquinones using Borntrager’s and
to thaw overnight at 20oC before analysis was
Modified Borntrager’s tests. Flavonoids such as
performed [14]. The fresh fruits were washed initially
leucoanthocyanins using Bate Smith and Metcalf
using running tap water followed by distilled water.
test. Flavonoids containing cyanidin-у-benzopyrene
Only the edible portion of each fruit including seeds
nucleus using Wilstatter “cyanidin” test. Froth test
and peelings (20 g) was used for the preparation of
for saponins and Liebermann-Burchard test for
extract. Parts were homogenized in 50 mL (80% v/v)
unsaturated sterols and triterpenes. Further, tannins
methanol (Merck, Germany) using a blender (Kyowa
and polyphenols using Gelatin and Ferric chloride
1000) for 5 minutes and soaked for 48 hours. Extract
tests.
was filtered using Whatman No. 2 filter paper and
filtrate was centrifuged using an automated centrifuge 2.4 Determination of total polyphenols using folin
(Heraeus) at 5300 rpm for 10 minutes. Supernatant ciocalteu assay
was stored at 4oC prior to use within 2 days [4].
In 250 µL of methanolic extract, 2,250 µL distilled
2.3 Phytochemical screening water and 250 µL Folin-Ciocalteu reagent (Merck,
Germany) were added and allowed to stand
The secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, for reaction up to 5 minutes. This mixture was
steroids, anthraquinones, saponins, polyphenols, neutralized by 2,500 µL of 7% sodium carbonate
flavonoids, and tannins were determined in each (w/v) (HiMedia, India) and was kept in the dark at
fruit sample using preliminary and confirmatory tests room temperature for 90 minutes. The absorbance
by Aguinaldo et al. [15]. The presence of alkaloids of resulting blue color was measured at 765 nm

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using VIS spectrophotometer (Labomed Inc, USA). the fruits measured using Folin Ciocalteu assay and
Quantification was done on the basis of standard aluminum chloride method respectively were used
curve of gallic acid (Merck, Germany) prepared in to rank the fruits. Total polyphenol and flavonoid
80% methanol (v/v) (Merck, Germany) and results content of the fruits were calculated through linear
were expressed in milligrams GAE per 100 grams regression. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA)
fw of fruits [4,16]. The standard curve was prepared was used at 0.05 level of significance to determine
using 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 mg L-1 solutions of if there is a significant difference in the antioxidant
gallic acid in methanol: water (50:50 v/v) [17,18]. activity between and among the fruits and controls
using DPPH assay as indicated by % DPPH radical
2.5 Determination of total flavonoids using scavenging activity. Tukey test was performed
aluminum chloride method
using SPSS 18.0 for Windows software package.
Briefly, 500 µL of methanolic extract of sample was This post hoc test was used to identify where the
diluted with 1,500 µL of distilled water and 500 µL significant difference lies between and among the
of 10% w/v aluminum chloride (Ajax, Australia) fruits and controls. The relationship between the total
added along with 100 µL of 1M potassium acetate polyphenol and flavonoid content of the fruits to their
(Calbiochem, San Diego CA) and 2,800 µL of antioxidant activity using DPPH assay was analyzed
distilled water. This mixture was incubated at room using CORREL statistical function in MS Excel
temperature for 30 minutes. The absorbance of software as indicated by the Pearson correlation
resulting reaction mixture was measured at 415 coefficient (r). The experimental results for all assays
nm VIS spectrophotometer (Labomed Inc., USA). A done were expressed as mean of three replicates.
yellow color indicated the presence of flavonoids [16].
3. Results and Discussion
Quantification of flavonoids was done on the basis of
standard curve of quercetin (Calbiochem, San Diego 3.1 Phytochemical constituents of fruits
CA) prepared in 80% methanol (Merck, Germany)
and results were expressed in milligram QE per All the fruits eaten by the local people in Benguet
100 grams fw of fruits [4,16]. The calibration curve contain secondary metabolites (Table 1).
was plotted by preparing the quercetin solutions at
concentrations 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 ug/ml using Specifically, alkaloids are present in D. philippinensis,
10 mg of quercetin dissolved in 80% methanol V. myrtoides, M. pendula, F. cumingii, P. edulis, S.
(Merck, Germany) [19]. betacea, P. peruviana, S. pimpinellifolium and L.
benguetensis. Alkaloids occur in fruits [23]. Fruit-
2.6 Screening of antioxidant activity using occuring tetrahydro-betacarboline alkaloids acted
2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay as antioxidants and free radical scavengers in the
2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid
A solution of 0.2 mM DPPH (Sigma Aldrich, USA)
in 80% methanol (Merck, Germany) was prepared (ABTS) assay when compared with ascorbic acid
in aluminum foil- wrapped test tube and 3 mL of and trolox [24]. Steroids are present in all the fruits.
this solution was mixed with 100 µL of extract Steroid glycosides isolated from berries of Solanum
in methanol. The reaction mixture was shaken aculeastrum possess antioxidant activities using
thoroughly for 1 minute using a vortex mixer (VM DPPH, ABTS and reducing power assays.
1000, Digisystem Lab Instruments Inc.) and left in
These glycosides are identified as tomatidine and
the dark at room temperature for 30 minutes. The
solasodine [25]. Saponins were detected in all the
absorbance of the mixture was measured using a VIS
spectrophotometer (Labomed Inc., USA) at 517 nm. fruits except G. binucao, G. vidalii, D. philippinensis,
The ability to scavenge DPPH radical was calculated V. myrtoides and A. bunius. Saponins are widely
by the following equation: DPPH radical scavenging distributed in plants [26]. Saponins from Solanum
activity (%)= {[(Abs neg control – Abs sample)]/ (Abs neg control anguivi fruits exhibited antioxidant potential in
)}x 100 where Abs neg control is the absorbance of DPPH Wistar rats [27]. Phenolics are present in all the
radical and methanol; Abs sample is the absorbance of fruits. Phenolics refer to flavonoids, tannins and
DPPH radical + fruit extract/ control [20-22]. polyphenols. These are found in all higher plants,
often at high levels. These are commonly present in
2.7 Statistical analysis fruits, vegetables, wine and tea [28]. Tannins from
The qualitative data obtained from phytochemical grape and apple fruit have the ability to scavenge
screening were interpreted and analyzed by free radicals. The highest antioxidant activity was
comparing the secondary metabolites present observed in the peels of Sampion cultivar of apples
in each fruit. The quantitative data on the total and white grapes [29]. In another study, tannins from
polyphenol content in mg GAE/ 100 grams fw and Canarium album demonstrated potent antioxidant
total flavonoid content in mg QE/ 100 grams fw of activity [30]. Flavonoids and polyphenols possess

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Table 1. Phytochemical constituents of the edible wild fruits.

Family Fruit Source A S N F P T O
Actinidiaceae Saurauia sp. (soybo) - + - + + + +
Saurauia elegans (uyok) - + - + + + +
Saurauia sparsifolia (degway/sapuwan) - + - + + + +
Arecaceae Calamus manillensis (litoko) - + - + + + +
Clusiaceace Garcinia binucao (balokok) - + - + - + -
Rheedia edulis (Chinese santol) - + - + + + +
Garcinia vidalii (belis) - + - + - + +
Dilleniaceae Dillenia philippinensis (palali) + + - + - + +
Ericaceae Vaccinium barandanum (lusong) - + - + + + -
Vaccinium myrtoides (ayosep/gotmo) + + - + - + +
Flacourtiaceae Flacourtia rukam (kaluminga) - + - + + + -
Melastomataceae Medinilla pendula (agubangbang) + + - + + - +
Melastoma malabathricum (dagad-ay) - + - + + + +
Moraceae Ficus cumingii (appas) + + - + + - +
Ficus minahassae (alomit) - + - + + + +
Morus alba (moras) - + - + + + -
Muntingiaceae Muntingia calabura (sarisa) - + - + + + -
Musaceae Musa rosacea (bayating/amoting) - + - + + + -
Myrtaceae Psidium guajava (wild guava) - + - + + + +
Passifloraceae Passiflora edulis (masaplora) + + - + + + -
Phyllanthaceae Antidesma bunius (bugnay) - + - + - + -
Antidesma montanum (balekesan) - + - + + + +
Rosaceae Photinia serratifolia (sugsuggat) - + - + + + +
Rubus fraxinifolius (pinit/doting) - + - + + + +
Solanaceae Solanum betacea (dulce/tamarillo) + + - + + - +
Physalis peruviana (gobbayas) + + - - + - +
Solanum pimpinellifolium (marble tomato) + + - + + - +
Urticaceae Leucosyke benguetensis (lapsek) + + - + + + +
Zingiberaceae Alpinia vanoverberghii (akbab) - + - + + + +
Amomum lepicarpum (gaddang) - + - + + + +
Leptosolena haenkei (poli) - + - + + + -
A-Alkaloids; S-Steriods; N-Anthraquinones; P- Saponins; F-Flavonoids; O-
Polyphenols; and T-Tannins (+ presence, - absence)

antioxidant properties as proven in numerous g fw followed by M. alba (Moraceae) , L. benguetensis

studies [31-35]. G.binucao (Clusiaceae) fruits are (Urticaceae), and G. binucao (Clusiaceae) with 91.89
rich in steroids, flavonoids and tannins (polyphenols). and 91.68 mg GAE/ 100 g fw respectively (Figure 2).
Among all the fruits, L. benguetensis (Urticaceae) is Both L. benguetensis and G. binucao have equal
the richest source of secondary metabolites because amount of polyphenols present.
it contains all the secondary metabolites tested
R. fraxinifolius is an accumulator of polyphenols
except anthraquinones.
[38]. The most widely consumed berries belong to
3.2 Total polyphenol and flavonoid content of Rosaceae (Rubus sp.) and Ericaceae (Vaccinium
fruits sp.) families. The polyphenol content of these
berries varies from 30 to 1000 mg/ 100 g. The main
All the fruits contain polyphenols and flavonoids polyphenols found in these berries are anthocyanins,
(Figures 2 and 3). Polyphenols are the most ellagitannins and proanthocyanidins [39]. The total
numerous group of secondary metabolites [36]. phenolic content of Rubus caucasicus (Rosaceae)
Phenolic compounds are subdivided into several
fruit is 381 mg GAE/ 100 g fw [40]. In addition, Rubus
classes such as flavonoids, tannins, phenolic acids
hyrcanus (Rosaceae) fruit contains 414-683.25
(hydroxybenzoic and hydroxycinnamic acids) among
mg GAE/ 100 g fw [41]. Thus, Rubus sp. fruits are
others. These compounds are mainly derived from
excellent sources of phenolics (196.98-398.67 mg
fruits aside from vegetables, cereals, legumes and
nuts [37].In this study, R. fraxinifolius (Rosaceae) has GAE/ 100 g fw) [42]. P. peruviana (Solanaceae) has
the highest polyphenol content of 92.21 mg GAE/ 100 the lowest level of polyphenols (21.43 mg GAE/100

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g fw) followed by S. pimpinellifolium (Solanaceae) extract exhibited the highest antioxidant activity in
and M. rosacea (Musaceae) with 22.7 and 44.74 mg methanol followed by ethyl acetate and water [50].
GAE/100 g fw respectively. Solanaceae fruits have Other studies reveal that there is higher antioxidant
low total phenolic content [37]. activity of edible wild fruits as compared with
synthetic vitamin E and ascorbic acid. In Nepal,
Among the fruits studied, A. montanum fifteen fruits commonly used by the ethnic population
(Phyllanthaceae) is the richest source of flavonoids were studied for the antioxidant activity (Figures 2-4).
followed by M. pendula (Melastomataceae) and V.
myrtoides (Ericaceae) with 41.11, 37.41, 36.26 mg
QE/ 100 g fw respectively (Figure 3). Five fruits
namely D. philippinensis (Dilleniaceae), P. peruviana
(Solanaceae), S. sparsifolia (Actinidiaceae), C.
manillensis (Arecaceae) and M. rosacea (Musaceae)
are ranked lowest with 4.85, 5.11, 5.69, 5.9 and 6.26
mg QE/ 100 g fw respectively.

A recent study in Kanchanabul province, Thailand

reported that Phyllanthus emblica (Phyllanthaceae)
fruits contain the highest total phenolics (3703 ±
1244 mg GAE/ 100 g) [43]. The flavonoid content
of P. emblica fruit is 143.1 to 148.2 mg catechin
equivalence/ 100 g fw [44]. In addition, Antidesma
ghaesembilia (Phyllanthaceae) fruit contains high
total polyphenol content of 120.818 mg/g GAE and
total flavonoid 95.72 mg/g QE [45].
Figure 2. Total polyphenol content in the fruits using Folin
Blueberries (Ericaceae) are also rich sources Ciocalteu method.
of flavonoids [46]. The total flavonoid content of
Vaccinium myrtillus and Vaccinium vitis-idaeae in
No. Name of Fruit (Family) No. Name of Fruit
80% methanol is 511.1 mg catechin equivalent/ 100 (Family)
g dried fruit and 533.6 mg catechin equivalent/ 100 1 Saurauia sp. 17 M. calabura
g dried fruit respectively [46]. Compared to the level (Actinidiaceace) (Muntingiaceae)
of polyphenols, the flavonoid content of the fruits is 2 S. elegans 18 M. rosacea
lower. Flavonols are the most ubiquitous flavonoids (Actinidiaceace) (Musaceae)
in foods and the main representatives are quercetin 3 S. sparsifolia 19 P. guajava
and kaempferol. They are however generally present (Actinidiaceace) (Myrtaceae)
at relatively low concentrations of 15-30 mg/kg fresh 4 C. manillensis 20 P. edulis
weight [47]. (Arecaceae) (Passifloraceae)
5 G. binucao (Clusiaceae) 21 A. bunius
3.3 Antioxidant activity of fruits using DPPH (Phyllanthaceae)
assay 6 R. edulis (Clusiaceae) 22 A. montanum
(Phyllanthaceae)
Figure 4 shows that all the fruits exhibited significant 7 G. vidalii (Clusiaceae) 23 P. serratifolia
scavenging activity against DPPH radicals compared (Rosaceae)
to the positive controls Vitamin E, ascorbic acid and 8 D. philippinensis 24 R. fraxinifolius
trolox (F value 696.0617 > F crit 1.596293; ρ ≤ 0.05 (Dilleniaceae) (Rosaceae)
). In this study, the ability of fruit extracts and controls 9 V. baradanum 25 S. betacea
to donate hydrogen atom or electron to the unpaired (Ericaceae) (Solanceae)
DPPH radical was indicated by the observed 10 V. myrtoides (Ericaceae) 26 P. peruviana
change in color of the DPPH solution from purple to (Solanceae)
yellow [48-49]. 11 F. rukam 27 S. pimpinellifolium
(Flacourtiaceae) (Solanceae)
D. philippinensis (Dilleniaceae) has the highest 12 M. pendula 28 L. benguetensis
antioxidant activity as indicated by its 91.13 % DPPH (Melastomataceae) (Urticaceae)
radical scavenging activity followed by L. haenkei 13 M. malabathricum 29 A. vanoverberghii
(Melastomataceae) (Zingiberaceae)
(Zingiberaceae) and P. guajava (Myrtaceae) with
14 F. cumingii (Moraceae) 30 A. lepicarpum
89.6% and 99.93 % respectively. (Zingiberaceae)
In a similar study, Dillenia indica (Dilleniaceae) fruit

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No. Name of Fruit (Family) No. Name of Fruit No. Name of Fruit (Family) No. Name of Fruit (Family)
(Family)
15 F. minahassae 31 L. haenkei 14 F. cumingii (Moraceae) 30 A. lepicarpum
(Moraceae) (Zingiberaceae) (Zingiberaceae)
16 M. alba (Moraceae)
15 F. minahassae 31 L. haenkei
(Moraceae) (Zingiberaceae)
16 M. alba (Moraceae)

Figure 3. Total flavonoid content in the fruits using

aluminum chloride method.

No. Name of Fruit (Family) No. Name of Fruit (Family)

1 Saurauia sp. 17 M. calabura

(Actinidiaceace) (Muntingiaceae)
2 S. elegans 18 M. rosacea (Musaceae) Figure 4. DPPH radical scavenging activity of the fruits.
(Actinidiaceace)
No. Name of Fruit No. Name of Fruit (Family)
3 S. sparsifolia 19 P. guajava (Myrtaceae) (Family)
(Actinidiaceace) 1 Saurauia sp. 17 M. calabura
(Actinidiaceace) (Muntingiaceae)
4 C. manillensis 20 P. edulis
2 S. elegans 18 M. rosacea (Musaceae)
(Arecaceae) (Passifloraceae)
(Actinidiaceace)
5 G. binucao 21 A. bunius 3 S. sparsifolia 19 P. guajava (Myrtaceae)
(Clusiaceae) (phyllanthaceae) (Actinidiaceace)
4 C. manillensis 20 P. edulis
6 R. edulis (Clusiaceae) 22 A. montanum (Arecaceae) (Passifloraceae)
(Phyllanthaceae)
5 G. binucao 21 A. bunius
7 G. vidalii (Clusiaceae) 23 P. serratifolia (Clusiaceae) (Phyllanthaceae)
(Rosaceae) 6 R. edulis 22 A. montanum
(Clusiaceae) (Phyllanthaceae)
8 D. philippinensis 24 R. fraxinifolius
(Dilleniaceae) (Rosaceae) 7 G. vidalii 23 P. serratifolia
(Clusiaceae) (Rosaceae)
9 V. baradanum 25 S. betacea (Solanceae) D. philippinensis
8 24 R. fraxinifolius
(Ericaceae) (Dilleniaceae) (Rosaceae)
10 V. myrtoides 26 P. peruviana 9 V. baradanum 25 S. betacea (Solanceae)
(Ericaceae) (Solanceae) (Ericaceae)
10 V. myrtoides 26 P. peruviana
11 F. rukam 27 S. pimpinellifolium (Ericaceae) (Solanceae)
(Flacourtiaceae) (Solanceae)
11 F. rukam 27 S. pimpinellifolium
12 M. pendula 28 L. benguetensis (Flacourtiaceae) (Solanceae)
(Melastomataceae) (Urticaceae) 12 M. pendula 28 L. benguetensis
13 M. malabathricum 29 A. vanoverberghii (Melastomataceae) (Urticaceae)
(Melastomataceae) (Zingiberaceae) 13 M. malabathricum 29 A. vanoverberghii
(Melastomataceae) (Zingiberaceae)

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No. Name of Fruit No. Name of Fruit (Family) also increases hence, there’s a positive moderate
(Family) correlation between the two. A variety of polyphenols
14 F. cumingii 30 A. lepicarpum are found in fruits. Each possesses numerous
(Moraceae) (Zingiberaceae) phenol structures that are responsible for the unique
15 F. minahassae 31 L. haenkei physical, chemical and biological properties of the
(Moraceae) (Zingiberaceae) molecule [53]. Similar results were obtained between
16 M. alba (Moraceae) 100 Positve Control: Vitamin the total phenolic content of Elaeagnus angustifolia
200 E (Myra E 400 IU)
(oleaster) fruit seeds and its reducing power (r=0.64),
300 Positve Control: Trolox
(1000 uM)
between total phenolic content of the peel and its
Positve Control: DPPH radical scavenging and (r=0.50) [54]. The
Ascorbic Acid (50 ug/ antioxidant activity of phenolics is mainly due to their
mL) ability to act as reducing agents [55].

Among them, Terminalia bellirica (myrobalan), Based on the principle of the assay, the presence of
Terminalia chebula (hardad), Phyllanthus emblica hydroxyl groups in the polyphenols reduced DPPH
(gooseberry) and Spondias pinnata (mombin) were radicals by their ability to donate hydrogen [48]. Aside
the most potent antioxidants as compared with from these, their low molecular weight contributes
vitamin C based on DPPH assay [3]. This is attributed to their high scavenging activity on DPPH [56].
to the total phenolics present in the fruits. They are Further, polyphenols can scavenge and inactivate
considered powerful antioxidants in vitro and proven reactive oxygen intermediates to prevent oxidative
to be more potent anti-oxidants than Vitamin C and E reactions [28].
and carotenoids [51]. Many studies have shown that
flavonoids and polyphenols are better antioxidants On the other hand, flavonoids present in the fruits do
than vitamins [52]. not significantly contribute to the antioxidant activity of
the fruits (r=-0.06). There is a low negative correlation
The antioxidant activity between and among the fruits between the two. Therefore, the flavonoids in the
and controls is significantly different (ρ ≤ 0.05) except fruits do not influence their ability to scavenge DPPH
between and among the following: D. philippinensis, radicals. However, the presence of other secondary
L. haenkei, P. guajava, S. sparsifolia, A. lepicarpum, metabolites such as alkaloids, saponins and steroids
M. pendula, P. edulis, C. manillensis, F. rukam, P. may have contributed to their antioxidant activity.
serratifolia, S. elegans, A. vanoverberghii, S. betacea A negative correlation was observed between the
and A. bunius; G. vidalii, R. fraxinifolius, R. edulis, F. total flavonoid content and antioxidant activities of
minahassae and V. barandanum; L. benguetensis seven Umbelliferae fruits namely Bunium persicum,
and M. calabura; A. montanum, F. cumingii, M. alba, Coriandrum sativum, Cuminum cyminum, Foeniculum
S. pimpinellifolium and Vitamin E; P. peruviana and vulgare, Heracleum persicum, Pimpinella anisum
trolox. and Trachyspermum copticum from Iran. Flavonoids
3.4 Correlation between secondary metabolites, can act as proton donors however; the position of
total polyphenol and flavonoid content to hydroxyl group on the molecules shall determine
antioxidant activity of the fruits their antioxidant properties [57-58]. The results of
this study agree with previous researches on the lack
Figure 5 shows that the polyphenol content of
of or negative correlation between flavonoids and
the fruits significantly contributed to the antioxidant
antioxidant activity [49,59-62].

Aside from polyphenols and flavonoids, other

secondary metabolites in the fruits may significantly
contribute to the antioxidant activity of the fruits. As
inferred from other studies, phenolic compounds
in fruits have synergistic action [50]. In the case
of D. philippinensis, the low flavonoid content of
4.85 mg QE/ 100 g fw was supplemented by other
metabolites present such as alkaloids, steroids,
saponins and tannins. The low antioxidant activity of
P. peruviana (Solanaceae) may be attributed to the
Figure 5. Correlation between total Phenolic content and low concentration of polyphenols (21.43 mg GAE/
antioxidant activity of the fruits using DPPH assay. 100 g fw) and flavonoids (5.11 mg QE/ 100 g fw) in the
fruit. The presence of alkaloids, steroids and tannins
activity of the fruits (r=0.50). As the concentration did not significantly increase its antioxidant activity.
of polyphenols increase the antioxidant activity Vitamin C and carotenoids are present in the fruit

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but these have lower antioxidant activity compared 249-252.

to phenolic compounds such as polyphenols [63-64].
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