Characterization of mangifera indica varieties based on their total phenolic content and antioxidant activity.

Abstract

Mangifera indica leaves are known to contain various bioactive ingredients including the phenolic compounds. These phenolic compounds are known to possess antioxidant properties and they have been used to reduce the incidence of oxidative stress diseases. In Uganda, there are over 15 local varieties of Mangifera indica whose phytochemistry and bioactivity have not been elucidated. The main objective was to characterize the local Mangifera indica varieties based on their phenolic content and antioxidant activity and to find out which variety contains the highest phenolic compounds exhibiting the highest antioxidant activity. This study investigated the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the leaves of local Mangifera indica varieties based on the Folin Ciocalteu assay and DPPH assay methods respectively. The results showed all that TPC varied significantly among the Mangifera indica varieties (P<0.05) with Koona having the highest TPC and MPI the least. Similarly, the antioxidant activity was different among the varieties, with Doodo red having the highest activity, followed by Koona while MPI had the lowest. There was generally a positive correlation between the TPC and antioxidant activity among the varieties. Hence from the study, Koona variety is the recommended variety to use in formulating herbal medicines by local farmers, local manufacturers and herbalists. It is also the recommended variety to use in standardization of herbal formulations containing extracts of other varieties. Further studies are needed to determine the type and quantity of phenolic compounds present in the different Mangifera indica varieties to understand the reason for the difference in their antioxidant activity which to use as medicinal raw material and as industrial source of phenolics like Mangiferin, catechins, gallic acid and kaempferol etc.