Abstract:
Starch extracted from pith of Caryota urens L. (Family: Arecaceae) palm is known as “Kithul flour” and is claimed to
have health benefits according to folklore and Ayurveda. Antioxidants are believed to possess numerous health benefits.
However, as yet, health benefits of C. urens flour have not been scientifically investigated. Antioxidant properties of C. urens
flour were tested using different in vitro assays namely, 2,2-azino-bis 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS+), ferric
reducing antioxidant power, oxygen radical absorbance capacity and ferrous ion chelating assays. Total Phenolic Content (TPC)
and Total Flavonoid Content (TFC) were also evaluated. Anti-diabetic properties were estimated using alpha amylase and alpha
glucosidase enzyme inhibition assays. Dried methanolic extracts of both boiled and raw samples were used in all assays. Results
of the study showed that C. urens flour possess free radical scavenging activity(raw 0.02± 0.01 and boiled 0.04±0.01mg trolox
equivalent (TE)/ g flour), electron donating reducing power (raw 0.10±0.03 and boiled 0.36±0.11 mg TE/g flour), oxygen radical
absorbance capacity (raw 2.29± 0.71 and boiled 192.3 ± 57.71 mg TE/1g flour) and metal ion chelating capacity (raw 0.03±0.01
and boiled 0.14±0.04 mg EDTA equivalents /g flour) exhibiting its antioxidant potential. TPC (raw 1.1±0.3 and boiled 5.12 ±
1.89 mg GAE/g flour) and TFC (raw 1.65 ± 0.47 and boiled 6.69 ± 1.27 µg QE/g flour) which are said to be contributed to
antioxidant activities were also found. In addition, boiled flour which is generally consumed as a food has shown higher
antioxidant activity. Caryota urens flour did not contain marked anti-diabetic properties. It is evident from results that Caryota
urens flour has moderate antioxidant property which may associate with its traditional health claims.
