Antioxidant activity of Indonesian water spinach and land spinach (Ipomoea aquatica): A comparative study

Abstract

Abstract Ipomoea aquatica is Convolvulaceae plant that is widely consumed in Southeast Asia as a vegetable. The plant contains various bioactive components, e.g. phenols and flavonoids. Water spinach and land spinach are two varieties of Ipomoea aquatica in Indonesia. Both extracts have been analyzed for their free radical scavenging activity using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhidrazyl). Total phenol was measured using Folin Ciocalteu and the total flavonoid was measured using AlCl3. Both extracts also have been analyzed by TLC (Thin layer chromatography) using DPPH and AlCl3 spray reagents. Water spinach has higher antioxidant activity than land spinach and there was a correlation between antioxidant activity and total phenol/flavonoid content. Based on TLC results, it was supposed that the compound responsible for antioxidant activities in water spinach and land spinach was flavonoid.