Total Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Activity of Selected Philippine Mulberry Fruit Genotypes

Abstract

Recent advancements in mulberry breeding have focused on developing varieties for commercial fruit production, yet information on genotypes grown in the Philippines remains limited. This study evaluated the Total Phenolic Content (TPC) and antioxidant potential of five Philippine mulberry fruit genotypes (Alf-004, Alf-025, Alf-023, Alf-058, and Alfonso). The antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH radical scavenging assay, and TPC was determined via the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Results showed that Alf-025 emerged as the most promising variety, exhibiting the highest TPC at 7942.35 mg GAE/L and a superior antioxidant activity of 60.15%. This potency was further validated by Alf-025 having the lowest IC50 where lower concentration of the mulberry variety was needed to inhibit 50% of the free radicals and the highest Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC), which measured antioxidant strength relative to trolox standard where higher TEAC value means higher antioxidant activity. Across all genotypes, antioxidant activity increased in a dose-dependent manner. While Alf-058 recorded the lowest phenolic levels, varieties Alf-004, Alfonso, and Alf-023 showed no significant difference in TPC from one another. These findings establish baseline data for the selected Philippine mulberry fruits and highlight the potential of Alf-025 for use in functional foods and nutraceuticals.