Optimization of Conditions for the Extraction of Antioxidants from Leaves of Syzygium cumini L. Using Different Solvents Sumitra V. Chanda & Mital J. Kaneria Received: 19 February 2011 /Accepted: 25 April 2011 /Published online: 11 May 2011 # Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011 Abstract The aim of the present study was to find out the best method for extracting antioxidants from Syzygium cumini L. leaves. The extraction was done by three different methods: sequential cold percolation extraction method, decoction extraction method, and maceration extraction method. Antioxidant activity, total phenol, and flavonoid content were determined in all different extracts of various extraction methods of S. cumini L. leaves. Antioxidant activity was tested by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical, superoxide anion radical and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities, and reducing capacity assessment. Sequential cold percolation extraction method proved to be the best extraction method. The acetone extract had maximum phenol and flavonoid content and showed best DPPH free radical scavenging activity and reducing capacity assessment. Ethyl acetate extract showed best superoxide radical scavenging activity, while aqueous extract showed best hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. It can be concluded that sequential cold percolation extraction method is the best method of extracting leaf antioxidants for this plant at least. Keywords Syzygium cumini . Antioxidant activity . Extraction methods . Total phenol content . DPPH Introduction Free radicals have been shown to be harmful as they react with important cellular components such as proteins, DNA, and cell membrane (Mantena et al. 2008). All organisms contain an anti-free radical defense system, which includes antioxidant enzymes like catalase, peroxidase, and super- oxide dismutase and antioxidants like ascorbic acid and tocopherols (Kalaivani and Mathew 2010). Oxidative stress is caused by an insufficient capacity of biological systems to neutralize excessive free radical production, which contribute to human diseases and aging (Flora 2007), including cardio- vascular disease (Victor and Rocha 2007), neurodegenerative disease and age-related cognitive decline (Swerdlow 2007), obesity and insulin resistance (Martinez 2006), as well as immune system dysfunction (Larbi et al. 2007). There are many synthetic antioxidants like butylated hydroxytoluene, butylated hydroxyanisole, propyl gallate, and tertbutyl hydroxytoluene in use, but many side effects are reported (Ito et al. 1983); therefore, there is a great demand and a need for natural antioxidants. Medicinal plants from time immemorial have been used in virtually all cultures as a source of medicine (Cragg and Newmann 2001). They are considered as the backbone of traditional medicine and are widely used to treat a plethora of acute and chronic diseases ranging from common cold to complex human diseases all over the world. From Aspirin to Taxol, modern pharmaceutical industries largely take profit of the diversity of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants for new drug research. Some of the most common practices involve the use of crude plant extracts, which may contain a broad diversity of molecules with often unknown biological effects. Potential sources of antioxidant compounds have been looked for in several types of plant materials such as vegetables, fruits, leaves, oilseeds, cereal crops, bark and roots, spices herbs, and crude plant drugs (Ramarathnam et al. 1995). However, it has been reported that generally, leaves are selected for antioxidant studies (Chanda and Dave 2009). S. V. Chanda (*) : M. J. Kaneria Phytochemical, Pharmacological and Microbiological Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, Saurashtra University, Rajkot 360 005 Gujarat, India e-mail: svchanda@gmail.com Food Anal. Methods (2012) 5:332–338 DOI 10.1007/s12161-011-9242-0