Phytochemical Evaluation and Antioxidant Activity of Virginia tobacco Leaves (Nicotiana tabacum L. var virginia) Fractions with DPPH and FTC Methods

Introduction: Virginia tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum var. Virginia) is one of the most extensive varieties of tobacco plants. Nicotiana tabacum var. Virginia leaves known to contain alkaloids, saponins, tannins, phenol, flavonoids, triterpenoids and glycosides. In addition to cigarette raw materials, tobacco is also able to be efficacious as an antibacterial, antifungal and bioinsecticide. Objective: The aim of this study to determine the total phenol and total flavonoids and also antioxidant activity of Virginia tobacco leaves fractions. The fraction with the largest compound content was evaluated further for its antioxidant activity. Methods: Virginia tobacco leaves was fractioned into dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate, butanol and water fractions. Phenol levels were determined with Follin-Ciocalteu reagent using the UV-Vis spectrophotometer method measured at 743.50 nm and gallic acid as a reference compound. Total flavonoid levels were determined with AlCl₃ reagent using the UV-Vis spectrophotometer method measured at 434.50 nm and quercetin as a reference compound. Antioxidant activity was evaluated with DPPH and Ferric Thiocyanate (FTC) method and the standard used was quercetin. Results: Total phenol levels in Virginia tobacco leaves of DCM, ethyl acetate, butanol and water fractions respectively were 191.2386 mgGAE/g, 201.2913 mgGAE/g, 180.5714 mgGAE/g, 212.8692 mgGAE/g. Total Flavonoid levels respectively were 6.0927 mgQE/g, 6.9659 mgQE/g, 5.1112 mgQE/g, 8.3346 mgQE/g. Antioxidant of water fraction was evaluated further using DPPH and FTC method with IC50 respectively were 75.9148μg/ml and 67.8972 μg/ml. Conclusion: Overview of total phenol and flavonoid levels fractions and antioxidant can be used as an additional initial reference for Virginia tobacco leaves development as source of medicinal substances.