Antioxidant and gas chromatographic analysis of five varieties of jackfruit (Artocarpus) seed oils

Background The present effort was to evaluate antioxidant activities and lipid profiling of five varieties of seed oils of the jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus, Artocarpus integrifolia, Artocarpus hirsutus, Artocarpus incisus, and Artocarpus integer), one of the most ancient fruits indigenous to Western Ghats of India. Materials and methods Soxhlet extraction method was used for the extraction of oil, antioxidant activities estimated by well-known methods together with, fatty acid composition of jackfruit seed oils were determined with Gas Chromatography. Results The seed oil was extracted using soxhlet extraction method with analytical grade hexane as refluxing solvent. The seed oil exhibited striking Diphenyl picryl hydrazyl radical scavenging Assay (DPPH), ferric reducing or antioxidant power assay (FRAP), reducing power assay and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. Fatty acid profile was analyzed by comparing retention times of gas chromatogram peaks of test seed oils with that of retention times of the authentic standards. Conclusion Artocarpus seed oils show signs of remarkable antioxidant properties and as priceless food in providing essential fatty acids and its antioxidant activities supportive in the maintenance of health and as medicine in the management of various chronic diseases.