Phytochemical Analysis and Antioxidant Potential ofRaphia hookeri leaf and Epicarp

The contribution of oxidative stress to the pathogenesis of several health conditions and its association with life-threatening diseases such as malaria has necessitated the search for more phytochemicals with antioxidant properties. Various parts of Raphia hookeri such as the leaves, fruit and sap have been moderately studied and applied in different areas of industry. However, the epicarp is generally discarded. The ethanolic extracts of Raphia hookeri leaf and epicarp were herein investigated for their total phenolic and flavonoid contents using spectrometric methods. 1,1-diphenyl2-picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH) and 2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) cation assays were used to determine the antioxidant potential of the extracts. The recorded Total Phenolic Content (TPC) of both extracts are comparable while the Total Flavonoid Content of the leaf extract is higher. Consequently, the antioxidant activity of the leaf extract was higher. Although the antioxidant potential of the leaf is higher (351.170±22.950 mg/g RE), the comparable TPC and the antioxidant activity exhibited by Raphia hookeri epicarp extract projects it as a rich phytochemical bio-resourse which may have future relevance in the pharmaceutical industry. Keywords: Oxidative stress, Antioxidants, Raphia hookeri, Phenolics, Flavonoids, Pericarp