The efficacy of cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale L.) skin extract as a free radical scavenger

The free radical scavenging activity of ethanolic extracts of cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale, L.) skin powder (CSP) was evaluated by employing various in vitro antioxidant assay systems. The yield of the extract as well as the total phenolic content was also determined. The yield of ethanolic extract of the skin powder was quite high (0.45 g/g powder) with a total phenolic content of 243 mg/g extract. The cashew nut skin extract (CSE) demonstrated promising antioxidant activity with EC50 of 1.30 ± 0.02 μg/ml in 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assay, 10.69 ± 1.13 μg/ml in superoxide scavenging assay, 17.70 ± 0.05 μg/ml in deoxyribose oxidation assay, 24.66 ± 0.32 μg/ml in lipid peroxidation (LPO) assay and 6.00 mg/ml in iron chelation assay. To identify the compounds in the CSE responsible for the antioxidant activity, thin layer chromatography (TLC) was performed with the extract. The spot showing protection towards β-carotene bleaching was extracted and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC); epicatechin was found to be the major polyphenol present. The results of the present study suggest that cashew nut skin, a byproduct of cashew processing industry, can be used as an economical source of natural antioxidants.