Antioxidants and Anticoccidial Potential of Aqueous Extract from Various Tree Leaves containing Condensed Tannins

The present study was conducted to determine the antioxidant and anticoccidial properties of aqueous extract from condensed tannins (CT) containing tree leaves (Acacia nilotica, Eugenia jambolana, Ficus religiosa, Leucaenea leucocephala and Psidium guajava). The CT content was estimated by using butanol-Hcl method. The CT extracted from various tree leaves in water as solvents and then lyophilized. The antioxidant potential of aqueous extract from various CT sources was evaluated by using multiple in-vitro colorimetric methods which include 1, 1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), total reducing power and hydrogen peroxide assays. Ascorbic acid was used as standard antioxidant in our study. However, anticoccidial efficacy of aqueous extract at different concentration (CT: 1, 2, 3 and 4 mg/ml) from various CT sources was performed using coccidial oocysts sporulation inhibition assay. The DPPH free radical scavenging activity was significantly higher in P. guajava as compared to other sources whereas hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and reducing power activities were significantly (P<0.05) lower in L. leucocephala compared to other CT sources. Sporulation inhibition (%) of Eimeria spp. was significantly (P<0.05) higher in E. jambolana followed by P. guajava, A. nilotica, L. leucocephla while least in F. religiosa. E. jambolana and P. guajava showed maximum sporulation inhibition activity @ 4 mg/ml. It was concluded that CT extracts of A. nilotica, E. jambolana, F. religiosa, L. leucocephala and P. guajava leaves possess the antioxidant and anti-coccidian property and may be eco-friendly sustainable alternative, natural antioxidant, anti-coccidian agent and/or natural feed additive for organic meat production.