Studies on antioxidant potential and total phenolic contents of dried powder and pulp of raw and ripe Carica papaya fruit

Introduction and Aim: Antioxidants are frequently used as active ingredients in anti-aging supplements with the intention of preserving health and preventing diseases. However, recent research has concentrated on conventional therapies that have a long history of successfully treating several diseases.  C. papaya is a good alternative and exhibits significant antioxidant, diuretic, antihyperglycemic, anticancer, analgesic, and depressive properties from a key plant constituent. In this study,  total phenolic content, and antioxidant potential of raw and ripe Carica papaya were examined.   Materials and Methods: C. Samples of raw and ripe Carica papaya were collected from the local market of Dehradun. Dried powder and fresh pulp of the raw and ripe Carica papaya was individually subjected to phytochemical test principles. Total phenolic contents were estimated using the Folin-Ciocalteu and antioxidant potential using DPPH and ferric chloride reducing power assay method.   Results: The fresh pulp and powder of ripe Carica papaya showed high content of phenolics in fresh ripe pulp, fresh raw pulp, dried ripe powder and raw dried powder as 200, 195,185 7 mg/100 g respectively with an antioxidant activity DPPH radical scavenging activity, 80.2, and 75. .76.4 and 74.5 respectively which is comparable to butylated hydroxy anisole (BHA) and diphenhydramine (DPPH) radical scavenging activity.   Conclusion: The fresh pulp and powder of ripe Carica papaya showed wide antioxidant activity (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. Hence,  it can be effectively used as an organic substitute for chemical compounds (BHA, BHT) which have a lot of harmful side effects. Moreover, phytochemical studies of Carica papaya have shown the presence of phenolic compounds well justified by estimation of content which are responsible for its potent antioxidant activity.