Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant Activity of Hylocereus undatus Foliage: Effects of Using Different Drying and Assays Methods

Phytochemical screening was conducted on Hylocereus undatus foliage to determine the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins using methanol and chloroform solvents via oven-dried and open air-dried methods. As for the antioxidant activity, powdered Hylocereus undatus foliage were extracted using both solvents through Ferric Reduction Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay; and the findings were then compared to 2,2-Diphenyl-1-Ipicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay from previous studies. Results revealed that for both methods in phytochemical screening, flavonoids were present only in methanol extract; however, saponins were present in both extracts. No alkaloid and tannins were present in both extracts using both methods. Antioxidant activity results revealed that the methanol extract (59.05%) and chloroform extract (20.58%) using the FRAP assay were comparable to that of DPPH assay in which methanol extract (88.81%) and chloroform extract (38.30%) were obtained. It concludes that Hylocereus undatus has comparable phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activity based on the different drying and assay methods.