Analysis Antioxidant of Clove Leaves (Syzygium aromaticum) as a Source of Bioactive Compounds
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the chloroform extract of clove leaves (Syzygium aromaticum) as a source of bioactive compounds. Unlike most previous studies that predominantly focused on essential oils or polar extracts of clove, this research specifically investigates the antioxidant potential of the semi-polar chloroform extract, which remains relatively underexplored. Extraction was performed using chloroform to obtain semi-polar compounds with potential biological activity. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, and terpenoids, which are known to function as natural antioxidants. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assay based on the ability of the sample to neutralize free radicals. The results demonstrated an increase in percentage inhibition with increasing extract concentration, indicating a positive linear relationship between concentration and antioxidant activity. Linear regression analysis yielded an IC₅₀ value of 69.40 ppm, classifying the extract as having strong antioxidant activity. In comparison, ascorbic acid exhibited an IC₅₀ value of 8.75 ppm, indicating very strong antioxidant activity. This difference is attributed to the nature of ascorbic acid as a pure compound, whereas the chloroform extract consists of a complex mixture of secondary metabolites. The novelty of this study lies in highlighting the significant antioxidant potential of the semi-polar chloroform fraction of clove leaves, thereby expanding the understanding of solvent-specific bioactive compound distribution and providing new insight into its possible application in functional food and pharmaceutical development. Overall, the findings suggest that the chloroform extract of clove leaves has promising potential as a natural source of bioactive compounds for further development.
Downloads
References
Blois, M. S. (1958). Antioxidant Determinations by The Use of a Stable Free Radical. Nature, 181, 1199-1200. https://doi.org/10.1038/1811199a0
Brand-Williams, W., Cuvelier, M. E., & Berset, C. (1995). Use of a Free Radical Method to Evaluate Antioxidant Activity. LWT-Food Science And Technology, 28(1), 25-30. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0023-6438(95)80008-5
Gulcin, I. (2011). Antioxidant Activity of Eugenol: a Structure-Activity Relationship Study. Journal of Medicinal Food, 14(9), 975-985. https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2010.0197
Hagerman, A. E., Riedl, K. M., Jones, G. A., Sovik, K. N., Ritchard, N. T., Hartzfeld, P. W., & Riechel, T. L. (1998). High Molecular Weight Plant Polyphenolics (Tannins) As Biological Antioxidants. Journal Of Agricultural And Food Chemistry, 46(5), 1887-1892. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf970975b
Mamahit, S. M. N., Katja, D. G., & Suryanto, E. (2025). Antioxidant activity and toxic properties test of distilled clove leaf (Syzygium aromaticum) waste. Chemistry Progress, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.35799/cp.18.1.2025.62657
Muderawan, I. W., Laksmi, P. P. D. S., Mudianta, I. W., & Martiningsih, N. W. (2025). Chemical Constituent And Antioxidant Activity Of Clove (Syzygium Aromaticum) Bud And Leaf Essential Oils From Bali. Indonesian Journal Of Chemical Research. https://doi.org/10.30598/ijcr.2025.12-mud
Molyneux, P. (2004). The Use Of The Stable Free Radical Diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) For Estimating Antioxidant Activity. Songklanakarin Journal of Science And Technology, 26(2), 211-219. https://doi.org/10.1039/c3ay40367j
Nainggolan, R. M., Rahayu, M. P., & Rejeki, E. S. (2024). Antioxidant activity test, total flavonoid content, and total phenolic content of extract and fractions of tamarind leaves. Jurnal Mandala Pharmacon Indonesia, 10(2), Article 554. https://doi.org/10.35311/jmpi.v10i2.554.
Nusaly, W. N., Watuguly, T. W., Pattiasina, E. B., & Wael, S. (2023). Identification Of Medicinal Plants And Benefits In The Village Of Negeri Lima, Maluku District. Biopendix: Jurnal Biologi, Pendidikan Dan Terapan. Universitas Pattimura. 10(1), 156-170. https://doi.org/10.30598/
biopendixvol10issue1page156-170
Padayatty, S. J., Katz, A., Wang, Y., Eck, P., Kwon, O., Lee, J. H., Levine, M. (2003). Vitamin C As An Antioxidant: Evaluation Of Its Role In Disease Prevention. Journal of The American College Of Nutrition, 22(1), 18-35. https://doi.org/10.1080/07315724.2003.10719272
Pietta, P.G. (2000). Flavonoids As Antioxidants. Journal Of Natural Products, 63(7), 1035-1042. https://doi.org/10.1021/np9904509
Prior, R. L., Wu, X., & Schaich, K. (2005). Standardized Methods For The Determination Of Antioxidant Capacity And Phenolics In Foods And Dietary Supplements. Journal of Agricultural And Food Chemistry, 53(10), 4290-4302. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf0502698
Shahidi, F., & Ambigaipalan, P. (2015). Phenolics And Polyphenolics In Foods, Beverages And Spices: Antioxidant Activity And Health Effects-A Review. Journal of Functional Foods, 18, 820-897. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2015.06.018
Shahidi, F., & Ambigaipalan, P. (2015). Phenolics And Polyphenolics In Foods, Beverages And Spices: Antioxidant Activity And Health Effects-A Review. Journal of Functional Foods, 18, 820-897. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2015.06.018
Shende, S., & Shilpashree, B. G. (2024). Extraction of Eugenol In Clove Extract And Evaluation Of Its Antioxidant Activity. International Journal Of Engineering Applied Sciences And Technology, 9(2), 262–267. Https://Doi.Org/10.22161/Ijeab.92.29.
Wael, S., Nuringtyas, T. R., Wijayanti, N., & Astuti, P. (2018). Secondary Metabolites Production In Clove (Syzygium Aromaticum): Chemical Compounds. Biological Journal. https://doi.org/10.3923/jbs.
399.406
Wael, S., Watuguly, T. W., Arini, I., Smit, A., Matdoan, N., Prihati, D. R., & Astuti, P. (2018). Potential Of Syzygium Aromaticum (Clove) Leaf Extract On Immune Proliferation Response In Balb/C Mice Infected With Salmonella Typhimurium.Case Reports In Clinical Medicine,7(12), 613-627. https://doi.org/10.4236/crcm.2018.712057
Wansi, S., & Wael, S. (2014). Analysis of chlorine content in tea bags based on brewing time. Biopendix: Journal of Biology, Education and Applied Science, 1(1), 22-31. https://doi.org/10.30598/biopendixvol1issue1page22-31
Watuguly, T. W., Leiwakabessy, F., Rehena, J. F., Mose, W., & Wael, S. (2022). Prevention Of Breast Cancer With The Breast Self-Examination Method (BSE) In The Negeri Lima Village, Leihitu District, Maluku Province.Bioedupat: Pattimura Journal Of Biology And Learning, 2(2), 32-36. https://doi.org/10.30598/bioedupat.v2.i2.pp32-36
Wael, S. (2019). Potential of n-hexane extract of clove leaves (Syzygium aromaticum (L.)) on the sexual behavior of male rats (Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout, 1769) (Doctoral dissertation, Universitas Gadjah Mada).
Wael, S., Leiwakabessy, F., Mose, W., & Watuguly, T. W. (2023). Potential of Clove Extract (Syzygium Aromaticum) On Spermatozoa Rats (Sprague Dawley) Exposed to Arak Ambon (Sopi). Biopendix: Jurnal Biologi, Pendidikan Dan Terapan, 9(2), 211-221. https://doi.org/10.30598/biopendixv
ol9issue2page211-221
Copyright (c) 2026 Syahran Wael, Windi Mose
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who propose a manuscript and have it approved for publication know that the manuscript will be registered and become part of the RPBJ. Authors and readers understand that this journal is open and all its contents can be accessed freely, provided that RPBJ is still listed as the source of information. The hope is that this journal can become a vehicle for exchange and scientific knowledge for society and the scientific community, especially in the field of Biology and other branches of science.
