Antioxidant Activity in Aqueous Extracts of Powdered Terminalia chebula Seed Skin Stored for Six Months at Room Temperature and at 4oC

Abstract

All living beings are likely to be exposed to oxidative damages which will lead to health related problems. Therefore preventive measures should be taken to minimize the oxidative damage. In indigenous Medicine, fruits and tender young fruits are used in the preparation of drugs, e.g. ‘Kayakalpam’ (Anti ageing drugs). The objective of this study was to estimate the antioxidant activity of the powder of Terminaliachebula seed skin. The cold and hot extracts were obtained from the powder stored at room temperature and at 4oC in monthly interval for six months and antioxidant activity was measured in terms of Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP). Initial FRAP of cold and hot water extracts was 8602.6 (±58.2) and 9119.1 (±21.9) µmol/g dry weight respectively. When the powder was stored at room temperature for a month the cold and hot water extracts contained 7752 (±86.2) and 8053.4 (±43.1) µmol/g dry weight of FRAP respectively. When the powder was stored at room temperature for 6 months, FRAP of cold and hot water extracts was 3963.9 (±216.2) and 4558.6 (±54.1) µmol/g dry weight respectively. The FRAP of cold and hot water extracts of the powder stored at 4oC for six months was 5416.7 (±255.8), 5555.6 (±73.1) µmol/g dry weight respectively. Extraction of FRAP was better with hot water than with cold water. FRAP of the powder decreased when stored both at room temperature and at 4oC. Both cold as well as hot extracts exhibited FRAP even after storing for 6 months. At 3 months the decline in FRAP of the powder stored at room temperature was higher than that stored at 4oC. Even though the powder showed FRAP for 6 months, it is perceived as favourable to prepare fresh powder for better FRAP.