The Effect of Maturity on Phytochemical Constituent, Antioxidant Activity, and Nutrient Composition of Muntingia Calabura Fruits Cultivated in Indonesia

Objective: Cultivation location and maturity levels could affect Muntingia calabura's bioactive compounds and biological activities. The present investigation evaluated two different maturity stages (young and ripened) of Indonesian M. calabura on their phytochemical constituents (total phenolic TP and total flavonoid TF), antioxidant activity, and nutrition composition. Material and Method: The TP and TF were measured using the Folin-Ciocalteau reagent and ammonium chloride (AlCl3). Antioxidant activity was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic) acid (ABTS). Nutrition composition: total soluble solids (TSS) were determined by the gravimetric method; soluble sugars used anthrone-sulfuric acid colorimetric assays; and vitamin C established 2,6-dichloroindophenol (DCIP) titration. Result and Discussion: The ripened fruit presented the most potent antioxidant activity. DPPH and ABTS IC50 values were 28.38 ± 0.84 µg/ml and 29.92 ± 3.05 µg/ml, respectively. In contrast, the young fruit exhibited the highest TP (56.85 ± 1.08 mg/g GAE) and TF (8.45 ± 0.65 mg QE). Our findings additionally suggested that ripened fruit was a good source of nutrients, such as soluble sugar (SS; 12.34 ± 0.76%) and vitamin C (21.88 ± 2.73 mg/g).