Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant Activity of Rhizophora apiculata Blume Mangrove Leaf Extract from Palaes Village, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Rhizophora apiculata Blume as a vegetation component of mangrove forest in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. The purpose of this study was to characterize the levels of phenolic, flavonoid, tannin, and antioxidant activities of R. apiculata Blume mangrove leaf extract.

Ethanol extraction was carried out on R. apiculata Blume mangrove leaves collected from Palaes village, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Qualitative extract quality testing included organoleptic tests, extract levels that were soluble in water and ethanol, nonspecific extract parameter testing, and phytochemical content testing using thin layer chromatography. Quantitative extract quality testing included determination of phenolic, flavonoid, tannin levels, and antioxidant activity testing using a spectrophotometer.

R. apiculata Blume mangrove leaf extract has a solubility value in water of 15.65%, and in ethanol of 25.70%. The content of phenolic equivalent gallic acid is 3.0469mg/g. The content of flavonoid equivalent quercetin is 5.7981mg/g. The content of tannic acid equivalent tannin is 5.4749 mg/g. The IC₅₀ value of mangrove leaf extract R. apiculata Blume is 4.0911ppm, so it has very strong antioxidant properties.

R. apiculata Blume mangrove leaf extract meets the quality parameters for soluble compound content, and for various non-specific parameters. R. apiculata Blume mangrove leaf extract can be used as a source of phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins. In addition, the extract acts as a very strong antioxidant activity with an IC₅₀ value of 4.0911ppm.