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URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=rjmp.2012.4.5
In free radicals, there are one or more unpaired electrons which are highly unstable and become the cause to other molecule by acquiring electrons from them to gain stability. Superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxide are the some Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) which are highly reactive and have significant damage potential. Despite it, they perform different essential functions in our body like energy supply, detoxification, chemical signaling and immune function (Valko et al., 2007). Some herbal plants have short shelf life due to their perishable nature. A conmen way to conserve their qualities is drying them which may reduce storage volume and enhance their shelf life. Sun/shade drying or microwave drying/oven drying functions have been performed to inactivate Polyphenol oxidases enzymes but it has altered the phytochemicals composition of the plant (Capecka et al., 2005).
A research attempt has been made by Indian scientists and their findings were published in the Research Journal of Medicinal Plant 3 (3): 93-101, 2009. The basic aim of the study was to assess the effects of various drying methods on the total phenol contents and antioxidant properties (DPPH (2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) of Enicostemma littorale under different solvent. They concluded that after different drying treatments, plant material led to significant reduction in antioxidant properties of E. littorale in methanolic extracts as compared to that of the boiling water extracts which exhibited significantly stronger antioxidant potentials even in dried plant materials (Mueller-Harvey, 2001). It is just due to greater solubility of compounds, breakdown of cellular constituents and hydrolysis of tannins. A strong free radical scavenging activity in E. littorale have potential in the food industry as functional food ingredient. The researchers suggested that the compounds extracted by simple boiling would benefit better rather than methanolic solvents and there is a dare need to evaluate new technologies in this regard.
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