ANTI-OXIDATIVE, ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY AND PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF ARTOCARPUS HETEROPHYLLUS SEED EXTRACTS

Artocarpus heterophyllus is an evergreen tree cultivated and consumed throughout Nepal; however, its seed has been neglected as compared to the fruit. The sample was screened for phytochemical evaluation, and general tests, DPPH activity, antibacterial activity, and total flavonoid content was also measured. Also, the potential of its use as functional food was highlighted. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoid in both seed and peeled whereas alkaloid and saponin were detected in peel only. The general tests revealed that acid value (8.52), saponification value (14.02), ester value (5.49) as well as moisture content (12.37%) were low. Further, DPPH scavenging assay shared that the peel (IC₅₀ 70.97 µg/ml) has better antioxidant activity than seed (IC₅₀ 199.12 µg/ml) which could be correlated to total flavonoid content (132.05 ± 19.46 mg QE/g dry extract of peel and 67.38 ± 11.51 mg QE/g dry extract of seed). Anti-bacterial activity of seed was detected against Proteus mirabilis and Salmonella entericatyphi only while that of peel was not detected. Various researches support the fact that seed possesses various micro and macro nutrients making it promising functional food which could be brought forth in the market as confectionary, snack, and powder upon processing.