glutathione, tocopherol (vitamin E), vitamin C, β-
carotene, and selenium (Shalaby and Shanab, 2013).
Antioxidants are categorized in two synthetic and
natural groups, which are mostly substituted
phenolic compounds (Akbarirad et al., 2016). The
antioxidant content of plant ingredients acts as a free
radical scavenger and helps convert radicals into less
reactive species. Various free radical eradicating
antioxidants found in food sources such as fruit,
vegetables, and tea (Kumar, 2014; Zouaghi, Najar
dan Abderrabba, 2018). While the synthetic
compounds that have antioxidant properties must be
non-toxic, have high activity at low concentrations
(0.01-0.02%), and can be concentrated on the
surface of fat or other oil phases, due to the non-
protein nature of synthetic compounds. The
synthetic antioxidant is relatively stable and usually
can penetrate cells, so it can be given orally
(Akbarirad et al., 2016).
Citrus sinensis is a fruit that is widely consumed
throughout the world and has strong natural
antioxidant activity. Citrus plants are a group of
plants originating from the Rutaceae family (Rafiq et
al., 2016). The genus Citrus (Citrus L. of Rutaceae)
is one of the world's most common fruit plants and is
consumed mostly as a fresh product or juice because
of its unique nutritional value and taste. The most
popular in Europe and North America are grapefruits
(Citrus paradisi), lemons (Citrus limon), limes
(Citrus aurantifolia) and sweet oranges (Citrus
sinensis). The level of consumption of citrus fruits or
juices is found to be inversely related to the
incidence of several diseases.
The health benefits of citrus fruits are mainly
related to the presence of bioactive compounds, such
as phenolics (for example, flavanone glycosides,
hydroxylic acids), vitamin C, and carotenoids.
Although these fruits are mainly used for dessert,
they are also a source of essential oils due to their
aromatic compounds. For example, the taste of lime
is used in drinks, snacks, cakes, and desserts. Many
authors have reported antioxidant and radical
properties of essential oils and in some cases,
applications that are directly related to food
(Guimarães et al., 2010).
Citrus plants promise various nutritional benefits
as well as human life. The processing of Citrus by-
products has the potential to represent a rich source
of phenolic compounds and dietary fiber, as they are
found in the skin. This orange fruit residue, which is
generally disposed of as waste in the environment,
can act as a potential nutraceutical resource. Because
of their low cost and easy availability, the waste can
offer significant low nutritional food supplements.
Utilization of bioactive citrus-rich residues can
provide an efficient, inexpensive, and
environmentally friendly platform for the production
of new nutraceuticals or for enhancements that
already exist (Rafiq et al., 2016).
Many studies have been conducted on the orange
peel, especially sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) to
examine its effects on health including antioxidants,
antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory which are
compatible with ascorbic acid, ciprofloxacin, and
aspirin respectively. This could be related to the
content of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins,
and steroids on extra sweet orange peels
(Omodamiro dan Umekwe, 2013).
Flavonoid is a secondary metabolite that was
found widely among plants and has some
pharmacology properties. Mechanism of antioxidant
that was had by donor the hydrogen ion or
transferring single electron of flavonoid into reactive
oxygen species and forms chelate complex
(Banjarnahor and Artanti, 2014).
Previous studies conducted by Selvi et al. (2016)
who conducted phytochemical screening and
evaluation of antioxidant activity in Citrus sinensis
skin extracts with several types of solvents reported
the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and
other phenolic compounds that contribute to their
antioxidant effects. Other studies conducted by Park
et al. (2014) which aims to evaluate the antioxidant
effect of orange peel extract and flesh with various
variations show that the extract with acetone solvent
has the best antioxidant effect on both types of
extract with IC
50
value of orange peel extract is
781.9 µg / mL (Park, Lee and Park, 2014; Selvi,
Kumar and Bhaskar, 2016).
The level of orange consumption was reversely
correlation with the incidence of some diseases.
There are several health benefits of sweet orange
due to the presence of some bioactive compounds,
like phenolate, vitamin c, and carotenoid. However,
this fruit was used as a dessert, this fruit is riched by
essential oil due to its aromatic compound. Several
studies have reported this antioxidant activity
against free radicals as a food additive (Guimarães et
al., 2010). Based on the information above, this
study was aimed to determine the potential of
antioxidants from each partition of sweet orange
peel methanol extract.