Antioxidant Activity of Crude Extract and Carotenoid Pigments from Fruits

Ms. Ancilla Senoretta B & Dr. V. Judia Harriet Sumathy*
Postgraduate & Research Department of Biotechnology, Women’s Christian College, Chennai – 600 006.

A B S T R A C T
Citrus fruits, which belong to the family of Rutaceae are one of the main fruit tree crops grown throughout the world. Citrus fruits are well endowed with a variety of phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are vital in both; health promotion and disease prevention. The dietetic and therapeutic properties of all citrus fruits are similar due to their phytonutrient contents. Phytonutrients are mainly natural bioactive compounds from plants with general benefits to human health. The secondary metabolities of plants provide humans with numerous biologically active products, which have been used extensively as food additives, flavours, colors, insecticides, drugs, fragrances and other chemicals. These plant secondary metabolites include several classes such as terpenoids, flavonoids and phenolics compounds having diverse chemical structures and biological activities and exist widely in citrus fruits. The present study is aimed at studying the Antioxidant activity of Crude Extract and Carotenoid pigments from Fruits.
Keywords: Citrus Fruits, Rutaceae, Phytonutrients, Antioxidant activity and Human Health.