AKTIVITAS ANTIOKSIDAN, KADAR FENOLIK DAN FLAVONOID DARI EKSTRAK ETANOL DAUN TEMPUH WIYANG (Emilia sonchifolia)

Antioxidants play important role in the body's defense because of their ability to prevent the adverse effects caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause oxidative damage to cells and tissues. To prevent this damage, antioxidants are needed, especially those sourced from natural ingredients. Natural antioxidant compounds are found in many traditional medicinal plants, one of which is tempuh wiyang (Emilia sonchifolia). This plant is is known contained secondary metabolites, such as phenolics and flavonoids, which have high antioxidant activity. This study aims to evaluate antioxidant activity and measure total phenolic and flavonoid levels of tempuh wiyang leaf extract. Antioxidant activity was tested using the free radical scavenging method with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), using vitamin C as a comparator. Determination of phenolic and flavonoid levels was carried out using the colorimetric method, using gallic acid and quercetin as standards. The results showed that tempuh wiyang leaf extract had strong antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 39.4 ppm. This high activity is supported by the total phenolic content of 52.40 ± 0.012 mg GAE/g and the total flavonoid content of 52.30 ± 0.011 mg QE/g. Based on the research results obtained, the tempuh wiyang leaves have great potential to be developed as a source of natural antioxidants.