ANTIOXIDANT ANALYSIS OF CARISSA CARANDAS LINN PLANT LEAVES

Many chemical species are involved in the control of oxidative chemical processes in all biological systems, and these are often referred to as an antioxidant. Oxygen is an essential component for all living organism. A part of oxygen taken into living cells is converted into a severe harmful reactive oxygen species(ROS) and free radicals. The excessive production of free radicals or deficiencies in antioxidant defenses leads to the appearance of "oxidative stress”. These harmful effects are balanced by the action of enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants. In this study we analyzed the presence of enzymic antioxidants like catalase, peroxidase and glutathione-s transferase and non-enzymic antioxidant content like ascorbic acid, tocopherol, total carotenoids, lycopene, total phenols, reduced glutathione and chlorophyll. The results of the present study showed Carissa carandas leaves possessed considerable levels of both enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants.

Keywords: Oxidative stress,Antioxidants,Enzymic and Non-enzymic antioxidant, Carissa carandas leaves.