Volatile Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Parahellenia candida>

Parahellenia candida is a plant species belonging to the Costaceae family that was newly described in 2023. To date, comprehensive studies on chemical composition and biological activities is a neglected field of this species. This study aims to supplement the existing scientific knowledge by providing chemical and antioxidant data on P. candida and to evaluate its potential applications in the field of medicinal plants. The chemical composition of the ethanol extract of the studied species was analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The antioxidant capacity of the P. candida extract was evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. A total of 12 compounds were identified in the ethanol extracts, with n-hexadecanoic acid and stigmasterol as the predominant constituents. The rhizome extract exhibited stronger DPPH free radical scavenging activity, with an IC₅₀ value of 84.46 μg/mL, whereas the stem extract showed lower activity (IC₅₀ = 209.12 μg/mL). Overall, this study provides a scientific basis for understanding the chemical composition and antioxidant potential of P. candida, and highlights its prospective applications in medicinal and pharmaceutical research.