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International Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical and Healthcare

Peer-reviewed | Open Access | International Journal

ISSN 3144-5055

Phytochemical Extraction, Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Carica Papaya Leaf Extract

2026/10/1
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2
Research Article
Published

Authors

Nabila Perveen*, Naeem Hasan Khan, Geethaa Sahgal, Hii Jia Jia

Abstract

Introduction: Carica papaya L. leaves are known for their antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-dengue properties. Extraction efficiency and phytochemical recovery are influenced by the extraction solvent used. Objective: This study evaluated the extraction yield, phytochemical constituents, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial potential of Carica papaya leaf extract obtained through cold maceration using a mixed solvent system of 95% ethanol and n-hexane (4:1, v/v). Methodology: Dried Carica papaya leaf powder was extracted using cold maceration, followed by concentration of the filtrate to obtain crude extract. Phytochemical screening, thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were performed to characterize the extract. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH radical scavenging and total phenolic content (TPC) assays, while antimicrobial activity was evaluated using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) methods. Results: The extraction yielded 104 g of crude extract from 160 g of dried leaf powder (65%). Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, alkaloids, reducing sugars, flavonoids, steroids and triterpenoids, tannins, phenolic compounds, and lipids. TLC confirmed the presence of flavonoids, while FTIR identified characteristic hydroxyl, carbonyl, alkane, alkene, and aromatic functional groups. The extract exhibited moderate antioxidant activity with an IC₅₀ value of 157.09 µg/mL in the DPPH assay and a TPC value of 105.02 mg GAE/g extract. Antimicrobial assays demonstrated inhibitory and bactericidal activities against selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with MIC and MBC values of 400 mg/mL. Conclusion: Cold maceration using a mixed solvent system of 95% ethanol and n-hexane effectively produced a high extraction yield and recovered a wide range of bioactive phytochemicals from Carica papaya leaves. The extract demonstrated moderate antioxidant activity and broad-spectrum antimicrobial potential, supporting its potential application as a natural source of antioxidant and antimicrobial agents for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical development.

Keywords

Carica papaya papaya leaf extract cold maceration phytochemicals TLC FTIR antioxidant activity DPPH total phenolic content antimicrobial activity MIC MBC.

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Nabila Perveen, Naeem Hasan Khan, Geethaa Sahgal, Hii Jia Jia (2026) Phytochemical Extraction, Evaluation of Antioxidant and antimicrobial Activities of Carica Papaya Leaf Extract International Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical and Healthcare, 1(2), 01–16.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23341676

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