Antioxidant properties of peels extracts from three varieties of banana (Musa sp.) grown in West Java-Indonesia

The aims of this research were to determine antioxidant activity from different polarity peel extracts of three varieties of banana using two methods of antioxidant testing which were DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and CUPRAC (Cupric Reducing Antioxidant Capacity) and correlation of total phenolic, flavonoid and carotenoid content in different polarity extracts of banana peels with their IC50 of DPPH and IC50 of CUPRAC antioxidant activities. Extraction was conducted by reflux using different polarity solvents. The extracts were evaporated using rotary evaporator. Antioxidant activities, determination of total phenolic, flavonoid and carotenoid content were performed by UV-visible spectrophotometry and its correlation with IC50 of DPPH scavenging activities and EC50 of CUPRAC capacities were analyzed by Pearson's method. All of peel extracts banana and nangka banana (except ethanolic peel extract of nangka banana) were categorized as very strong antioxidant, using DPPH assay. Phenolic compounds in tanduk banana and nangka banana peel extracts were the major contributor in their antioxidant activities by DPPH and CUPRAC assays. Peel extracts of nangka banana gave linear results in DPPH and CUPRAC assays.