Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant Activity in Dragon Fruit Plant Extracts as Immunomodulators in Pregnant Women

Introduction: Dragon fruit contains many organic acids, proteins, and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, and vitamin C. Several natural compounds can increase the activity of the immune system, namely flavonoids, curcumin, limonoids, vitamin C, vitamin E, and catechins. Objective: to analyze the levels of phytochemicals and active ingredients from the fruit, skin, stem, and roots of dragon fruit plants. Methods: This research was carried out experimentally, carried out at the Pucuk Sirih Jamu Factory. This study used fresh and ripe Dragon Fruit Plants directly taken from the Tanah Laut District garden (South Kalimantan), carried out extract preparation, phytochemical screening, and determination of phytochemical levels of red dragon fruit plants. Results: The study found the highest secondary metabolite levels in red dragon fruit for Flavonoids in the stem (0.74%), Alkaloids in the stem (4.21%), Saponins in fruit flesh (0.45%), and Steroids in roots (2.54%). Antioxidant activity in red dragon fruit flesh (78.23%), stem (79.13%), root (8.64%), and skin (11.24%). The highest antioxidant activity in red dragon fruit stems.

Conclusions: There are groups of secondary metabolites and antioxidants contained in dragon fruit plants (fruit, skin, stems, and roots) from Kalimantan Selatan (Indonesia).