Vegetos
(An International Journal of Plant Research & Biotechnology)
(eISSN: 2229-4473)
Comparative assessment of the phytochemical constituents and in vitro antioxidant activities of Hunteria umbellata exocarp and mesocarp extracts
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Anadozie Scholastica O., Owoyomi Olubusola T., Adewale Olusola B.
Research Articles | Published: 09 June, 2026
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Keywords: Antioxidant, Fruit, n Hunteria umbellatan , Mesocarp, Scavenging ability
Abstract
Free radicals are highly reactive and unstable molecules that arise as by-products of cellular metabolism. Medicinal plants have the ability to scavenge free radicals because of their antioxidant properties. Hunteria umbellata ((H. umbellata), (K.Schum.)) Hallier f. fruit has been used in managing diabetes and inducing labor. This study assessed the comparative phytochemical constituents, and antioxidant activities of H. umbellata fruit exocarp and mesocarp using three extraction solvents (aqueous, ethyl acetate, and n-hexane). Qualitative phytochemical screening was determined using standard procedures. Quantitative phytochemicals (total phenol content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC)) and the in vitro antioxidant activities (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), iron (II) Fe2+ chelating ability and potassium ferricyanide reducing power) of the extracts were determined against standard antioxidants using a colorimetric method. Results showed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, steroids, alkaloids and carbohydrates in the various extracts. The aqueous extract had the highest TPC in the exocarp, while the ethyl acetate extract had the highest TPC in the mesocarp. The aqueous extract had the highest TFC in both exocarp and mesocarp extracts. All extracts showed good scavenging ability in a concentration-dependent manner. However, the aqueous extract scavenged DPPH free radicals better, with an IC50 of 0.47 ± 0.01 and 0.19 ± 0.02 for exocarp and mesocarp, respectively, and a Fe2+ chelating ability of < 0.01 in both exocarp and mesocarp extracts compared to other solvent extracts. The extracts demonstrated excellent reducing power. This study revealed that H. umbellata fruit exocarp and mesocarp extracts possessed antioxidant activities and could serve as potential therapeutic agents for managing oxidative stress-related diseases.
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Author Information
Biochemistry Program, Department of Chemical Sciences, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria