ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF MALAYSIAN FRUIT EXTRACT (MYRISTICA FRAGRANS)

The aim of this experiment is to study the phytochemical content of Malaysian fruit (Myristica fragrans), commonly known as nutmeg. This study also includes the optimization of extraction conditions for both soxhlet and ultrasonic extraction to yield the highest total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and 2, 2-diphenyl picryl hydrazyl scavenging activity of nutmegs using Response surface methodology. Soxhlet extraction is carried out with different extraction time and type of solvent. However, ultrasonic-assisted extraction is carried out with different extraction time, concentration of solvent and temperature of ultrasonic water bath. It has been shown that the optimum value of total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and 2, 2-diphenyl picryl hydrazyl scavenging activity of soxhlet extraction on nutmegs are 12.290 mg, 17.09 mg and 95.837%, respectively with a desirability of 0.671. The optimum condition for soxhlet extraction of nutmegs to obtain optimum yield of total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and 2, 2-diphenyl picryl hydrazyl scavenging are by using methanol as solvent at 184 minutes extraction time. However, for the optimization value of total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and 2, 2- diphenyl picryl hydrazyl scavenging activity for ultrasonic- assisted extraction of nutmegs are 28.722 mg, 46.600 mg and 98.565%, respectively with a desirability of 0.977. The optimum condition for ultrasonic assisted extraction of nutmegs to obtain optimum yield of total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and 2, 2- diphenyl picryl hydrazyl scavenging are by extracting nutmeg at 40 minutes at 50 ℃ and at 40% ethanol concentration