Oxidative stress is a condition where free radical levels exceed those of antioxidants. Thus, the body requires exogenous antioxidants, which can be obtained through functional foods or supplements. Differences in the nutrient, secondary metabolite content, and biological activity of medicinal plants may be influenced by environmental factors. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the phenolic content and antioxidant activity of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) leaf extracts from different harvesting locations in South Sumatra. The results show that different harvesting locations affected the yields (17.62% – 26.59%), total phenolic contents (14.68 mg GAE/g – 34.10 mg GAE/g), and antioxidant activities (IC50 176.10 µg/mL – IC50 257.02 µg/mL) of the water hyacinth leaf extracts. The highest phenolic content was observed in the extract from Lubuklinggau, and this extract also exhibited more effective antioxidant activity compared to the Banyuasin and Palembang extracts. The asymmetric and symmetric stretching of the polymeric hydroxyl group and hydrogen bonding, which are characteristic features of phenolic compounds, were observed. This information suggests that water hyacinth leaves extract can be used as an alternative natural antioxidant agent for food supplements or functional food products.
Utami et al. (Tue,) studied this question.