Antioxidant Activity of Aqueous Extracts of Dehydrated Lunuwila

EasyChair Preprint 5589

Abstract

Lunuwila (Bacopa monnieri) contains bioactive compounds that remarkably affect brain functions and enhance memory.  Even though it is extensively used to prepare decoctions in traditional medicine, bitter flavour limits its consumption as a salad and also use in the food industry.  Therefore, dehydrating Lunuwila and investigating the effect of aqueous extraction, until the original volume reduced to one-eight (8:1) and two-eight (8:2)., on antioxidant capacity of the decoctions were the focus of this study.   Decoctions were prepared by heating the dehydrated samples at 60 ± 5 °C in clay pots while maintaining a solid to water ratio of 6:100 (g/mL). Time required for a volume reduction of 8:1 and 8:2 was monitored and found to be 135 and 90 min respectively. Significantly higher (p<0.05) DPPH radical scavenging activity (92.2 ± 0.5 and 89.1 ± 0.6% inhibition), lipid peroxidation inhibition activity (61.6 ± 1.1 and 50.8  ±  0.4% inhibition), total saponins (73.4  ± 1.1 and 48.4 ± 1.2%) and total antioxidant capacity (8.23 ± 0.6 and 4.08 ± 0.9 mg AAE/mL extract) of 8:1 and 8:2 decoctions, respectively, were evident. There was no significant difference between ferric reducing powder between 8:1 and 8:2 extracts. Even though 2-fold or 200% more concentration was expected in 8:1 extracts than that in 8:2 extracts, 3.5, 21.4, 51.6 and 104.1% increase in DPPH radical scavenging activity, lipid peroxidation inhibition activity, total saponins and total antioxidant capacity, respectively, were evident. Yields of the two extracts were 0.110 ± 0.017 g/mL (8:1) and 0.078 ± 0.007 g/mL (8:2). Even though extraction in 8:1 resulted in a 15% more yield than that in 8:1, considering the energy efficiency, extraction of dehydrated Lunuwila in 8:2 could be recommended for spray drying or any other applications in the food industry such as developing functional foods.

Keyphrases: Bacopa monnieri, Decoctions, antioxidant activity

@booklet{EasyChair:5589,
  author    = {T. H. S. Dhanushka and D. C. K. Illeperuma and K. D. P. Gunathilake and C. V. L. Jayasinghe and P. W. G. N. R. Jayasekara},
  title     = {Antioxidant Activity of Aqueous Extracts of Dehydrated Lunuwila},
  howpublished = {EasyChair Preprint 5589},
  year      = {EasyChair, 2021}}