Antioxidant potential of chitosan-Tridax procumbens ethanol leaf extract composite

Abstract

The increasing concern over oxidative stress-related diseases and the limitations of Synthetic antioxidants have driven the search for natural, safe, and effective alternatives. This study aims to develop a chitosan–Tridax procumbens extract composite and Evaluate its antioxidant potential using standard in vitro assays. Ethanolic extracts of T. procumbens leaves were incorporated into chitosan to form a bioactive composite film. via solvent casting. The antioxidant activity of the composite was assessed using DPPH. radical scavenging and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The result revealed that T. procumbens leaves had several phytochemicals; however, phenol was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in concentration (439.96 ± 0.68 mg/100 g), whereas tannins had the lowest in concentration (9.36 ± 0.35 mg/100 g) compared to other phytoconstituents. Chitosan had significantly (p<0.05) lower DPPH and FRAP. scavenging ability (29.87±0.32 to 57.05±0.55 %) and (38.46±1.08 to 79.87±0.76 %) respectively at all the concentrations (50-500 µg/ml) compared with those of the free plant extract and the standard ascorbic acid. The composite demonstrated significantly enhanced antioxidant activity compared to chitosan and Tridax procumbens extract alone, with DPPH scavenging and FRAP values significantly (p < 0.05) exceeding those of the free extract and chitosan alone. The synergistic effect is attributed to the interaction. between chitosan's functional groups and the phenolic constituents of T. procumbens, which may enhance stability and radical neutralization efficiency. The chitosan–Tridax procumbens composite exhibits potent antioxidant activity and holds promise as a multifunctional biomaterial for various applications.