INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACY & LIFE SCIENCES In Vitro evaluation of free radical scavenging activity of chitosan

To investigate antioxidant potency of chitosan in v arious established in vitro systems, such as supero xide (O2)/hydroxyl (-OH) radicals scavenging, DPPH and reducing power. The reducing capability ranged from of 15.47 % to 19.00% at varying concentration (0.125 to 1.0mg/ ml). The 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging potential of chitosan ranged from 28.37% to 38.03% at varying concentrations (0.125 to 1.0m g/ml). Hydroxyl radicals scavenging activity of chitosan ( 0.125- 1.0 mg/ml) was ranging from 12.20% to 40.10%. Superoxide anion radical was ranging from 15.20% to 32.10% for the concentration between 0.125-1.0 mg/ml. overall, chitosan was good in antioxidant activity, and may be used as a source of antioxidants, as a possible food supplement or ingredient in the pharmaceutical indu stry. Finally, the scavenging rate and reducing pow er of chitosan increased with their increasing concentration.