Antioxidant assay of Averrhoa bilimbi L flower extract, chemical compound and its utilization potential

Belimbing wuluh (Averrhoa bilimbi L.) is well known in Indonesia. This plant has wide medicinal properties, ranging from lowering cholesterol, uric acid, anti diabetic, antihypertensive, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cough medicine, thrush, and digestive disorders to treating acne. A number of studies have been conducted on the content of its fruit and leaves, but there is still a gap in the literature on the content of the flowers. This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of the methanol extract of A. bilimbi flower as a natural antioxidant, to determine the chemical compounds contained in it by using GC-MS and to determine its potential utilization. Methanol extract of A. bilimbi crown and petals has the ability as an antioxidant with a very low category. The antioxidant activity of the crown flower is higher than that of the petals. The methanol extract of the crown and petals was dominated by Hexanedioic acid, γ-Sitosterol and Hexadecanoic acid compounds. Based on the compounds it contains, A. bilimbi extract can be used as an antimicrobial, anti diabetic, anticancer, lowering cholesterol levels and for maintaining skin health.