Universal Journal of Applied Science 1(3): 95-100, 2013 http://www.hrpub.org DOI: 10.13189/ujas.2013.010304 Study on the Relationship of the Phenolic, Flavonoid and Tannin Content to the Antioxidant Activity of Garcinia Atroviridis Ainnie Rahayu Abdullah 1,2,* , Nor Aziyah Bakhari 1 , Hasnah Osman 3 1 Department of Applied Sciences Universiti Teknologi MARA 13500 Permatang Pauh, Penang 2 Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor 3 School of Chemical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia 11800 Minden, Penang *Corresponding Author: ainnie153@ppinang.uitm.edu.my Copyright © 2013 Horizon Research Publishing All rights reserved. Abstract The presence of phenolic, flavanoid and tannin compound content in the methanolic extract of Garcinia atroviridis were investigated in this study using UV-Vis Spectrometry and consequently find the relationship between the chemical contents with the antioxidant activity. Garcinia atroviridis has phenolic content the highest followed by flavonoid and tannin content. The antioxidant activities of dried sample of Garcinia atroviridis was carried out by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The plant shows low antioxidant activity. Garcinia leaves from ethyl acetate extract showed the highest antioxidant activity (59.18%) followed by Garcinia leaves from methanol extract (57.97%), and then Garcinia leaves from hexane extract (55.67%). The total phenolic content showed a good correlation with the antioxidant activity but not with the total flavonoid and tannin content. Keywords Garcinia Atroviridis, Phenolic, Flavonoid, Tannin, 2,2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) 1. Introduction Garcinia atroviridis also known as Asam Gelugor is common in the Malay Peninsula. Its fruit is cultivated throughout Southeast Asia for spice. The ripe fruits are bright orange yellow, which are sliced, dried and used in curries or stewed in plenty of sugar to be eaten [1]. Garcinia atroviridis also has been reported effectively in weight management on a short-term basis [2]. The fruit contains fruiting acids such as hydroxycitric acid or HCA that promotes fat burning and spares carbohydrate utilization at rest and during exercise [3]. The crude extracts of fruit and leaf of Garcinia atroviridis exhibited significant antifungal activity against Cladosporium herbrum. The root, leaf, trunk and stem bark extracts showed strong antioxidant activity [4]. Previous study on two new ester derivatives of garcinia acid, that is, 2-(butoxycarbonylmethyl)-3-butoxycarbonyl-2-hydr oxy-3-propanolide (1) and 1′,1′′-dibutyl methyl hydroxycitrate (2), isolated from the fruits of Garcinia atroviridis, showed that only compound 1 exhibit antitumour-promoting activity although both compounds were neither toxic against the cells tested and brine shrimp nor were particularly antioxidant [5]. Figure 1. The leaves of Garcinia atroviridis It is noted that a decoction of the leaves (Fig. 1) of the parent tree has been traditionally used for the treatment of ear ache [6]. In addition, the plant possesses anti-inflammatory properties and has been found useful in cases of acne. Although various studies have been conducted to investigate the pharmacological activities of Garcinia atroviridis, the chemical investigation to identify the compounds responsible for the precise biological mode of action of this natural product has not yet been reported [6]. This study, therefore, was carried out to measure the total content of phenolic, flavonoid and tannin compounds present in the methanolic extract of Garcinia atroviridis and to find the relationship between the chemical contents with the