Free radical is highly reactive and is easy to react with molecules in biological system. Previous research have shown that free radical contributes to many chronic health problems. Provided that antioxidant reduce oxidation reaction, the purpose of this research project is to develop a low cost and fast bioassay method for detecting the presence of antioxidants in various foods/Plants using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). To verify the developed method, multiple analyses were used in measuring the activity of antioxidants as it reacts with DPPH, which include electrochemical analysis, UV Spectroscopy, and the proposed paper bioassay.
Our research focused on measuring the amount of antioxidant present in stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) since this plant has a long history in medicine and food among native Indian tribes. Antioxidant substance is extracted from by mixing grinded stinging nettle with methanol and the resulted plant extract reacts with DPPH solution for detection. Ascorbic acid was used as antioxidant standard in assay. The reduction of DPPH absorbance from UV, oxidation current from electrochemical measurement, and HSB values from paper sensor (paper bioassay) were compared to determine the accuracy of paper sensor. Based on the growing interest in free radical and preventive methods for many of the chronic diseases, the usefulness of essential, safe nutrients in protecting against the adverse effects of oxidative damage warrants further study.
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