Analysis and Phytochemical Screening of the Polyphenolic Antioxidant Activity of the White Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus undatus)

Background and Objective: Dragon fruit is a well-known and much-used herbal remedy, particularly in Asia, with various intriguing bioactive ingredients and health-promoting qualities. The purpose of this study was to examine the different extracts of white dragon fruit for bioactive components and assess its total phenolic content and antioxidant potential. Materials and Methods: Using the 2,2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity assay, the antioxidant activity was ascertained. With the Folin-Ciocalteu technique, the total phenolic content was ascertained. Triterpenoid, alkaloid, flavonoid and saponin were detected by phytochemical screening of the white dragon fruit. Results: The study found the highest total polyphenols recorded in methanolic extracts are higher (246.2±3.32 mg/L) as compared to aqueous extract (197.09±2.41 mg/L), whereas in the methanolic extract, the flavonoid content was also higher (196.7±2.01 mg/L) compared to aqueous extract (168.32±2.56 mg/L). Antioxidant activity measured in terms of DPPH free radical scavenging assay showed an IC₅₀ of 210 μg/mL, the extract demonstrated robust antioxidant activity in methanolic extract. Conclusion: The study findings provide new insight into the stable intermediates and phytochemicals related to dragon fruit that are present in different solvent extracts of the fruit. Thus, there is the potential to use dragon fruit, which contains numerous phytochemicals, as a natural active pharmaceutical ingredient.