Analysis of Antioxidant Activity, Total Phenolic and Flavonoid Contents of Ethyl Acetate Extracts from Carica papaya L. Seeds and Peels

Gemmy Sarina (Pharmacist Professional Education Study Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Esa Unggul, West Jakarta 11510, Jakarta, Indonesia)
Mellova Amir (Pharmacy Study Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Esa Unggul, West Jakarta 11510, Jakarta, Indonesia)
Atalia Defira Wardhani (Pharmacy Study Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Esa Unggul, West Jakarta 11510, Jakarta, Indonesia)
Nurjannah Bachri (Pharmacy Study Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Esa Unggul, West Jakarta 11510, Jakarta, Indonesia)

Indonesian Journal of Jamu
Vol. 11 No. 5 (2026): Jurnal Jamu Indonesia (In Progress)

Papaya seeds and peels are underutilized by-products containing antioxidant-associated phytochemicals. This study compared ethyl acetate extracts of Carica papaya L. seeds and peels prepared using matrix-specific ultrasound-assisted extraction conditions. Total phenolic content was determined by the Folin–Ciocalteu method, total flavonoid content by the aluminum chloride colorimetric method, and antioxidant activity by the DPPH assay. Peel extract contained higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents than seed extract, at 12.076 ± 0.091 versus 6.699 ± 0.087 mg GAE/g and 75.983 ± 1.089 versus 39.604 ± 1.169 mg QE/g, respectively. DPPH IC₅₀ values were 91.78 ± 0.99 ppm for peel, 815.79 ± 3.77 ppm for seed, and 6.62 ± 0.01 ppm for ascorbic acid. Under the extraction conditions applied, peel showed greater antioxidant-associated responses than seed, although the comparison should not be interpreted as intrinsic tissue superiority.