In vitro antioxidant and spectrophotometric studies of a colonial ascidian Didemnum psammathodes

Didemnum psammathodes commonly available in Tuticorin coast was screened for its chemical value. Analysis of phenols and flavonoids were done by Spectrophotometry method. A maximum of 86.13% phenol and 69.07% Flavonoids were observed in Didemnum Psammathodes . This study is designed to examine the invitro antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds in the ethanolic extract of Didemnum psammathodes by DPPH method. In DPPH system the strongest radical scavenging activity was exhibited by the ethanolic extract (IC 50 - 49.22) when compared to standard drug ascorbic acid (25.98).An increase in dose have significantly increased the percentage of antioxidant activity. This result free radical induced oxidative reveal that Didemnum psammathodes ethanolic extract a promising antioxidant potential against free radical induced oxidative damage. The present observation suggests need for further investigation of Didemnum Psammathodes so as to isolate secondary metabolites.