Investigation of Anthocyanin Contents and Cytotoxic Activity in Different Extracts of Fruit Peel of Solanummelongena L.

Background and Objectives: Anthocyanins are an important group of secondary metabolites, which are well-known and notablebecause of having high antioxidant activities, prevention of genetic mutation and cancers and also anti-aging properties. On the other hand, these compounds are also natural and widely used pigments in food and drug industries. The purpose of this research was to determine anthocyanin content, and cytotoxic activity in fruit peel of Solanum melongena cultivated in Kashan, and to compare the effect of extraction solvent. Methods: In this study, anthocyanin content of fruit peel of Solanum melongena with the common name of "egg plant" was determined using UV-Vis absorption method. To select the best extraction solvent, water, methanol, and ethanol were used to extract these valuable compounds. Also, the obtained extracts were investigated using brine shrimp lethality assay to determine cytotoxic activity and primary screening for the existence of anticancer effects. Results: The amount of extracted anthocyanins using water, methanol, and ethanol solvents, were 412, 354, and 293mg per 100g extract, and cytotoxic activity (LC 50 ) in these solvents were, respectively, 750, 525, and 1000µg/mL. Conclusion: In the present study, proving the existence of large amount of these compounds and their valuable properties, such as cytotoxic activity in different extracts of eggplant peel, which are discarded as garbage, shows the necessity of more attention to this type of valuable natural resources. Also, introducing “water” as the best solvent for extracting anthocyanins from eggplant peel, considering its low cost, non toxicity, and eco-friendliness , is one of the most important results of this research