Antioxidant Potential of Diverse Indian Cultivars of Lentils (lens Culinaris L.)

Antioxidant activity was evaluated in six Indian cultivars of lentil (Lens culanaris L.) viz. L-4076, L-4594, L-4147, DPL 15, DPL 62, and IPL 406. Three solvents, 70% ethanol, 100% methanol and 80% acetone, were used for preparation of seed extract. The seed extract was tested for total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity by FRAP assay. The results showed that values for TPC, TFC and FRAP assay were greatly influenced by the type of organic solvent used and the genotype. The total phenolic content ranged from 272 -14.7 mg GAE/g, total flavonoid content 7.57-0.72 mg QE/g and FRAP 9.32-0.79 mMol Fe/g. Amongst all the cultivars tested, DPL-62 and IPL 406 exhibited high phenolic content as well as antioxidant activity which were higher than previously reported for lentils. The most efficient solvent for total phenolic extraction and antioxidant activity evaluation was 80% acetone, whereas 100% methanol and 80% acetone both showed similar results for flavonoid extraction. The results of the present study conclude that Indian cultivars of lentils possess significant amount of phenolics and antioxidant activity that may be potentially beneficial for health.