Comparison of Antioxidant Activity in the Methanolic Peels Extracts of Solanum lycopersocum and Solanum lycopersocum Var. Cerasiforme

Abstract

Oxidative stress is one of the vital factors which causes serious illness to humans. The reactive oxygen species also accelerates the aging process and antioxidants are crucial in daily diet as it will help to protect body from free radicals and their threats. The current study focuses on the comparison of antioxidant activity in the methanolic peels extract between two tomato species namely Solanum lycopersocum and Solanum lycopersocum var. Cerasiforme (cherry tomato). Tomatoes have abundant antioxidant properties and was determined by DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Methanolic extracts (by maceration method of extraction) of both peels showed high radical scavenging properties, however peels of Solanum lycopersocum var. cerasiforme proved to have higher antioxidant properties. The IC50 result revealed that methanolic peels extract of Solanum lycopersocum var. cerasiforme was found to be 619.14 µg/ml compared to Solanum lycopersocum with 697.16 µg/ml. Thus, the present study reveals that the peels of tomatoes exhibit great potential for antioxidant activity and may be useful for their medicinal and nutritional functions.