The antioxygenic activity of Solanum nigrum L. leaves and its various solvent extracts were evaluated using sunflower oil model system. Leaf powder and its methanol/water (80:20) soluble fraction showed strong antioxygenic activity in refined sunflower oil. On the other hand, ethyl acetate fraction exhibited marginal antioxygenic activity, whereas the water soluble fraction was practically devoid of any activity in refined sunflower oil. Thermal stability of different extracts of Solanum nigrum L. leaves heated at 80?C in refined sunflower oil also indicated the strong efficacy of methanol/water (80:20) extract to inhibit thermal oxidation. Solanum nigrum L. contain high levels of magnesium (239.0 mg/100g) and phosphorous (80.3 mg/100g). Fatty acid analysis of the lipid extracted from Solanum nigrum L. leaves indicated the presence of linoleic (59.1%) as a major fatty acid. The result of this study confirmed the presence of antioxygenic compounds in leaves, in particular its methanol/water (80:20) extracts showed great potential as a natural antioxidant to inhibit lipid peroxidation in foods.
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