Change in total phenolic content and antioxidant activity at different growth and development stages of Misai Kucing (Orthosiphon stamineus) plants
Abstract
Many studies on herbal plants indicated that chemical content composition of these
plants may vary substantially at the different growth stages. In this research, the changes of
total phenolic content and antioxidant activity at different growth and development stages
of Misai Kucing were investigated. Thus, this is necessary because detail knowledge about
the effect of different growth stages on total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of
Misai Kucing plant is not readily available. In addition the most data has been reported are
about it medicinal functions and properties. In this research, total phenolic content of
extract was determined by using Folin-Ciocalteu method while antioxidant activity of
extract was determined by using DPPH assay. Based on the result, it is shown that there is
no significant different (p > 0.05) between the total phenolic content and antioxidant
activities for each harvesting stages. In the commercialization method, Misai Kucing
mostly will be harvest at flowering stage. This is because at flowering stage, Misai Kucing
reaches it maturity and optimum growth while the amount of phenolic content and
antioxidant activity is similar at all growth stages. After the flowering stage, Misai Kucing
growth begins to decline because it reaches the old stage.