STUDY OF ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY COMBINATION OF ARABICA COFFEE LEAF ETHANOL EXTRACT AND ROSELLE FLOWER PETAL WATER EXTRACT

Abstract

Free radicals are molecules that have one or more unpaired electrons. As we know that some cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and cancer are diseases that triggered by oxidative damage in the presence of free radicals. Excessive oxidation of the nucleic acids, proteins, fats and DNA cells can initiate the occurrence of degenerative diseases such as coronary heart disease, cataracts, cognitive disorders and cancer (Leong and Shui, 2001; Pietta 1999). Humans have had a defense system against oxidants that come from within or from outside the body in the form of diet. Defense of the body such as enzymes peroxidase, catalase, glutathione, histidine, peptidin often still lacking due to environmental influences and poor diet (Pietta, 1999). Antioxidants are molecules that can inhibit the oxidation of molecules that can produce free radicals. Antioxidant is a compound that has the ability to react with free radicals to produce a stable free radical by accepting or donating electrons. Based on the source of, antioxidant divided into two kinds, namely natural antioxidants and antioxidants synthetic (artificial). Synthetic antioxidants are most often used such as Propyl Error (PG), Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and Tertbutylhydroquinone (TBHQ). The synthetic antioxidants can give side effects that harmful to human health because it’s carcinogenic. Various studies on BHA and BHT indicate that this can cause tumors in laboratory animals at long-term use (Kikuzaki, 1993). Natural antioxidant is an antioxidant that is obtained naturally in plants. Natural antioxidants are usually more desirable, because the level of better security and broader benefits in the food, health and cosmetics. Natural antioxidants can be found in food of vegetables and fruits. As an example of natural antioxidants such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Polyphenols. Their concerns about the potential side effects of synthetic antioxidants used as motivation for the study of natural antioxidants as one alternative.