Published Paper Details:

Dragon fruit, belonging to the Cactaceae family, encompasses two varieties, Hylocereus polyrhizus and Hylocereus undatus. This fruit is abundant in various antioxidants such as betalains, hydroxycinnamates, and flavonoids. These antioxidants play a crucial role in shielding cells from free radicals, thereby reducing the risk of chronic diseases and slowing down the aging process. Additionally, dragon fruit is rich in phyto albumins and vitamin C, renowned for their antioxidant properties, which contribute to tightening and improving the flexibility of the skin, while also imparting a radiant glow. Regular application of creams containing dragon fruit extract can effectively combat aging, and it is also beneficial in treating acne and soothing sunburn. This study aims to compare the antioxidant levels and activities in the pulps and peels of two dragon fruit species, Hylocereus undatus (white dragon fruit) and Hylocereus polyrhizus (red dragon fruit). The Total Phenolic Content (TPC) assay revealed that both species' peels had higher phenolic content than their pulps. Specifically, the phenolic content in H. undatus peels exceeded that of H. polyrhizus, whereas in the pulps, the reverse was observed. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay indicated that the peels of both species exhibited greater radical scavenging activities compared to their pulps. Additionally, the ferrous ion chelating (FIC) assay demonstrated moderate metal ion chelating effects in both peels and pulps of both species when compared to EDTA. Overall, the findings suggest a significant relationship between Total Phenolic Content and primary antioxidant activities, highlighting the antioxidant potential of dragon fruit peels and pulps, and implying their potential utility in various applications.