Phytochemical Analysis and Antioxidant Activity of Avocado Pear Peel (Persea americana) Extract

Abstract

This study evaluated the phytochemicals and antioxidant activity in Persea americana peel it also assessed the efficiency of Persea americana peel (Avocado Pear fruit peel) waste in different in vitro activities in order to explore the possibility of utilizing waste as a value-added product in various applications.. Quantitative phytochemical analysis was performed. Quantitative phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of alkaloids (56.5063 ug/ml), flavonoids (245.6875 ug/ml), phenols (15.65 ug/ml), tannins (27.03 ug/ml) phytate (9.68 ug/ml), oxalate (13.65%), saponin (22.73 ug/ml). For antioxidant activity, the peels of fruit sample of Persea americana were prepared in ethanol solution. The vitamin content of the peel extract was assayed using calorimetric and titration methods while the antioxidant enzyme assay was determined by spectrophotometric method. The antioxidant enzyme assay was also determined for catalase, Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase. The Vitamins A, C and E were found to be present, with Vitamin A being the highest in concentration. Copper, Zinc, Iron and manganese were also present in the peel extract. The result from this study indicates that the peel extract of Persea americana possess antioxidant properties and could serve as free radical scavenger or inhibitor.