Short Communication: Phytochemical characterization and radical-scavenging activity of solvent fractions from corn silk

Abstract

This study aimed to quantify the total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) in corn silk (Zea mays L.) extracts and evaluate their antioxidant potential using the DPPH radical-scavenging assay. The findings revealed that polar solvents were the most effective in extracting phenolic and flavonoid compounds, yielding the highest concentrations of these compounds. These results underscore the significance of solvent polarity in enhancing the recovery of antioxidant-rich phytochemicals from corn silk. The propanol extract showed the highest levels of both phenolic (274.82±151.11 μg/g) and flavonoid (193.0±61.0 μg/g) compounds, followed by the ethyl acetate extract. In contrast, the chloroform extract yielded the lowest concentrations of these bioactive constituents. The propanol extract showed the highest levels of both phenolic (274.82±151.11 μg/g) and flavonoid (193.0±61.0 μg/g) compounds, followed by the ethyl acetate extract. In contrast, the chloroform extract yielded the lowest concentrations of these bioactive constituents. dependent antioxidant activity. The propanol extract was superior to the others in its free radical scavenging activity, achieving the highest inhibition rate of 82.13% at a concentration of 46.69 mg/mL. The ethyl acetate extract showed 78.07% inhibition, and the chloroform extract showed 75.81%. These results are consistent with the calculated IC50 values, which indicate that the propanol extract had the highest antioxidant efficacy. The findings establish a strong correlation between the high content of phenolics and flavonoids in corn silk extracts and their elevated antioxidant activity. The propanol extract proved to be the most effective among the tested extracts, making it a promising candidate for use as a natural source of antioxidant compounds.