HPLC analysis of antioxidant compounds in some selected tropical fruits peel

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify the major antioxidative components present in the peel of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum), mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) and langsat (Lansium domesticum). The identification and quantification of the major antioxidative components were performed using high performance liquid chromatography at 254 nm. The results showed that ellagic acid and corilagin were the major antioxidants in rambutan and langsat peel extracts. Both rambutan and langsat peel extracts had ellagic acid content (0.47 and 0.23 mg/g, respectively) higher than corilagin (0.14 and 0.11 mg/g, respectively). These two antioxidants were not detected in the mangosteen peel, but α-mangostin (0.89 mg/g) as one of the major xanthones was detected in the mangosteen peel extract. All these detected compounds are potentially strong antioxidants and known to have functional values, which suggest the potential use of these tropical fruit peels as sources of nutraceutical and pharmaceutical ingredients.