Antioxidant activity evaluation and phytochemical screening of pigment extract of Indian shot (Canna indica L.)

In general, lavonoids, iso lavonoids, polyphenols, anthocyanidins, terpenoids, carotenoids, etc. are considered phytochemicals.Anthocyanins have lately attracted increased interest as natural food colorants due to the detrimental effects of synthetic colors and these possesses antioxidant and radical scavenging properties.Fresh red lowers of Canna indica which is commonly known as Canna or Indian shot were used for extraction of pigment using different solvents and durations by ultrasound-assisted extraction method and subjected for phytochemicals estimation through spectrophotometric analysis.Total phenol content, total lavonoid content and antioxidant activity were estimated by using Folin-Ciocalteu's method, aluminum chloride method and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) assay, respectively.Among various treatment combinations, 120 min ultrasound in methanol showed highest amount of total phenol, total lavonoid and antioxidant activity with the values of 236.60 0.21 mg GAE/100 g, 276.77 0.30 mg QE/100 g and 93.73 0.03% RSA respectively.From the results of the study, Canna indica lower can be regarded as a possible source of food color and can be used in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals due to presence of phenols, lavonoids, anthocyanin and its antioxidant activity.