Antioxidant activity of Artemisia (Artemisia annua) extract on several concentrations and solvents

Abstract Artemisia contains secondary metabolites with antioxidants properties. The study aimed to obtain the type and concentration of effective solvents to produce Artemisia extract with maximum antioxidant activity. The research was conducted at the Laboratory of Indonesian Spices and Medicinal Crops Research Institute in 2015. The Artemisia used for the research came from Lembang, West Java. The study was arranged in a randomized block design, 7 treatments, and 2 replications. The treatment consisted of a combination of two solvents (ethanol and methanol) and three solvent concentrations (50, 70, and 96%) and water as control. Artemisia was processed into powder and then extracted following the treatments. The extract obtained was then tested for its antioxidant activity using the DPPH method. The type and concentration of solvent had a significant effect on the yield and antioxidant activity of Artemisia extract. The use of ethanol solvent resulted in higher extract yield and antioxidant activity than methanol. The higher the solvent concentration, the smaller the extract yield. The antioxidant activity of Artemisia ethanolic extract was stronger than methanolic extract. The IC50 value of the Artemisia ethanolic and methanolic extract were 20.61 ppm, and 25.06 ppm. The most effective solvent concentration to extract Artemisia was ethanol 70%.