Phytochemicals Screening, GC/MS Characterization, and Antioxidant Activity of Falcataria moluccana Miq. Barneby and J. W. Grimes Methanolic Extract

Abstract

Introduction: In this study, Falcataria moluccana as a plant of West Java community forest was evaluated for its phytochemical content, characterization of secondary metabolites through GC/MS analysis, and antioxidant activity with the DPPH method. Methods: The extraction of F. moluccana twig used maceration with methanol solvent. Phytochemical compounds in F. moluccana methanolic extract were identified using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). The antioxidant activity was tested against 2,2-diphenyl1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Results: The phytochemical screening of F. moluccana methanolic extract showed the presence of phenolics, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, saponins, and tannins. The results of GC/MS analysis showed that the highest abundance was α-terpinolenic from the terpenoid group with a retention time of 6.776 minutes and a percentage area of 25.85%. Total phenolic content in methanolic extract of F. moluccana was 145.21 mg GAE/g, total flavonoid was 95.39 mg QE/g while antioxidant activity (IC50) was 12.60 ppm. Conclusion: F. moluccana has potential as natural antioxidant and its active compounds can be developed as pharmaceutical raw materials. Key words: Falcataria moluccana, Phytochemical, GC/MS, Antioxidant, Methanolic extract.