Abstract:

In this study, the antioxidant activity of extract from Liquidambar formosana Hance leaves (LE) obtained
by sequential steps including ethanol extraction, ethyl acetate extraction, macroporous resin chromatography
with aqueous ethanol elution was evaluated by reducing power, and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide
anion and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays. Meanwhile, the effect of the extract on preserving the quality of loquat
fruits was investigated by storing the fruits at 6 ℃ after steeping in 10, 30 or 50 mg/100 mL LE solution. Decay index,
hardness, total soluble solid (TSS) content, titratable acid (TA) content, membrane permeability, peroxydase (POD) activity,
phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity and lignin content were determined every 5 days to evaluate the quality and
physiological characteristics of loquat fruits during storage. The results showed that LE had strong radical scavenging
activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide anion, hydroxyl free radicals and significant reducing
power, and could inhibit the increases in decay index, hardness, membrane permeability, PAL activities and POD activities,
and slow down the decreases in TSS and TA contents and the accumulation of lignin. In conclusion, LE has bright prospects
in quality preservation of loquat fruits and treatment 1 (10 mg/100 mL) has better practicability.

Key words: extract from Liquidambar formosana Hance leaves, antioxidant activity, loquat, storage