Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Smilax china L. leaf extracts

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Smilax china L. leaf extracts obtained with methanol, ethanol, acetone, and water were investigated. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by determining the DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical scavenging activities, total phenol content (TPC), and reducing power (RP). The highest DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging activity, and RP were found in the ethanol extract, which also showed the highest TPC (105.81±0.48 μg gallic acid equivalents/mL). The antimicrobial activity of all the extracts against foodborne microorganisms was determined by paper disc method. All the extracts inhibited the growth of Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella Typhimurium, however, no antimicrobial activity was observed against Escherichia coli O157:H7. The results indicated that Smilax china L. possessed antioxidant and antimicrobial substances, and suggested that the ethanol extract can be applied into food and cosmetic industry.