Radical scavenging activity of ethanolic extract of green and red leaves ofCantigi (Vaccinium varingiaefolium Bl. Miq.)

Indonesia's Cantigi (Vaccinium varingiaefoilum Bl. Miq.) is a member of the blueberry family that grows abundantly around volcanoes. It has two distinct leaf colors, red color leave (RCL) and green color leave (GCL), which contain secondary metabolites including anthocyanins. This study aimed to characterize the antioxidant properties of Cantigi leaf using various methods. DPPH (2,2’-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), BHA (butylhydroxyanisole), and BHT (butyl hydroxytoluene) were used to check the antioxidant activity of 96% ethanolic Cantigi extract. The phytochemical screening showed positive results for flavonoids, steroids, tannins, and saponins. The antioxidant activity of RCL and GCL leaves as determined by DPPH radical scavenging assay was expressed using IC50, a concentration capable of scavenging 50% DPPH radicals The IC50 values of DPPH radical scavenging assay for red leave and green were 29.87±3.2, and 24.65±3.3 mg/kg, respectively. Based on the DPPH radical assay, there was no significant difference between RCL and GCL; however, the BHA/BHT assay using a similar method with DPPH shows significant differences between RCL and GCL. From this study, Cantigi leaf could potentially be used as an ingredient in a food supplement due to its strong activity as radical scavenging.