Antioxidant activities of extracts from areca (Areca catectu L.) flower, husk and seed

The antioxidant activities of areca ( Areca catectu L.) flower, husk and seed extracts were evaluated using 3 complementary in vitro assays, inhibition of DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl) radicals, inhibition of hydroxyl radicals and reducing power system. The EC50 values were calculated for all the methods in order to evaluate the antioxidant efficiency of areca extracts. The phenol and flavonoid contents were also analyzed. Areca seed has the best antioxidant properties, presenting much lower EC50 values for DPPH radicals scavenging activity, hydroxyl radicals scavenging activity and reducing power. Furthermore, the highest polyphenols and flavonoids contents were found from areca seed extracts. It is suggested that areca seed is an excellent food material with a potential nutrition and antioxidation