FORMULATIONS AND CHARACTERIZATIONS OF TELANG FLOWER EXTRACT (CLITORIA TERNATEA L.) GEL USING HYDROXY PROPYL METHYL CELLULOSE (HPMC) AS GELLING AGENT AND ITS ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY

Objective: Telang flowers (Clitoria ternatea L.) are plants that contain a natural source of antioxidants that can be formulated in gel preparation with a variation of concentration of gelling agent Hydroxy Propyl Methyl Cellulose (HPMC). The purpose of this research was to know the difference in the levels of HPMC as a gelling agent against the physical properties and antioxidant activity of preparation of telang flower extract gel. Methods: The extraction of telang flowers is done by a maceration method with a 96% ethanol solvent. The gel was formulated with HPMC concentration variations of 2%, 2.5% and 3% respectively. The physical properties of the gel that were determined were organoleptic, pH, stickiness, spreadability, viscosity, and homogeneity. Antioxidant activity was determined using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl). Data was analyzed statistically using a one-way ANOVA test with a 95% confidence level. Results: The results of the research showed that the best formula was formula II with a concentration of HPMC of 2.5%. The gel of extract telang flower has characteristics with a typical scent of the telang flower, the blue-purple color, homogeneous, pH was 6.393±0.01, stickiness was 1.203±0.7 s, spreadability was 4.17±0.1 cm, and viscosity was 3000±100 cP. The antioxidant activity (IC50) the gel was 101.42 ppm belongs to the category of moderate antioxidants. Conclusion: Gel extract of telang flowers with concentration gelling agent HPMC concentration of 2.5% had the best physical properties.