ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF DIFFERENT PARTS OF TREE TOMATO FRUIT Research Article

Cyphomandra betacea (Cav.) Sendtn. (Solanaceae) is commonly known as ‘Tree Tomato’. It is a common shrub, which widely grows in the Darjeeling Himalaya. The fruits are good sources of provitamin A, vitamin C, B6, E and iron. This study was conducted to determine the antioxidant activities of methanol extracts from five different parts (placenta, endocarp, epicarp, seed and mesocarp) of this fruit. Antioxidant activities were evaluated by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryllhydrazyl) radical, nitric oxide (NO), hydroxyl radical (OH), superoxide scavenging activity, metal chelating, reducing power (RP) and anti-lipid peroxidation. Placenta and endocarp showed significantly higher superoxide scavenging and metal chelating activity whereas inhibition of lipid peroxidation was much better in mesocarp. Therefore, different parts of C. betacea fruit mainly placenta, endocarp and epicarp are potential functional food ingredient and their incorporation into human diets might provide protection and help to reduce oxidative damage in different vital organs.