Antioxidant Test And Community Preferences For Gaharu Leaf Tea (Aquilaria Malaccensis Lamk.) And (Wiktroemia Tenuiramis Miq.) After Five Months Storage
Antioxidant Test and Community Preferences for Agarwood Leaf Tea (Aquilaria Malaccensis Lamk.) And (Wiktroemia Tenuiramis Miq.) After Five Months Storage
Introduction
In recent years, the use of agarwood leaves (Aquilaria malaccensis and Wiktroemia tenuiramis) as healthy herbal drinks has gained popularity. Besides the well-known agarwood resin, the leaves of this plant have been used by the Indonesian people to maintain health. This study aims to determine the antioxidant content of agarwood leaves from the two species that have been stored for five months and the level of people's preference for each agarwood leaf tea.
Background
Agarwood leaves have been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat various health conditions. The leaves contain a high amount of antioxidants, which are compounds that help protect the body against free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause cell damage and contribute to various diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, and neurodegenerative disorders. The antioxidant properties of agarwood leaves make them a potential natural remedy for maintaining health and preventing diseases.
Methodology
This study was conducted at the Faculty of Food Technology, the Food Chemical Analysis Subdivision, between February and April 2018. The process of extraction of agarwood leaves was carried out by the Macelation method using 96% ethanol solvents. Testing antioxidant activity was carried out by the DPPH method, which measures the ability of leaves to inhibit free radicals. The concentrations used in the test were 12.5 ppm, 25 ppm, 50 ppm, and 100 ppm. Furthermore, the IC50 value (inhibitory concentration) was analyzed through regression.
Results
The results show that the IC50 value for A. Malaccensis leaves is 68.06 ppm and for W. tenuiramis is 66.20 ppm. This indicates that both types of agarwood leaves have strong antioxidant activity. The IC50 value is a measure of the concentration of antioxidants required to inhibit 50% of free radicals. A lower IC50 value indicates a higher antioxidant activity.
Community Preferences
To find out the level of people's preference for agarwood leaf tea, a hedonic test was carried out by involving 50 respondents. Parameters considered consisted of aroma, taste, and color of tea. The hedonic test results show that tea from A. Malaccensis leaf has a scent score of 3.76 ± 0.822, a taste of 3.68 ± 0.819, and a color of 3.90 ± 0.814, which indicates that people prefer tea from this type. Meanwhile, tea from W. tenuiramis leaves obtained a scent score of 3.48 ± 0.862, taste 3.40 ± 0.880, and color of 3.10 ± 0.863. Based on this score, Teh A. Malaccensis is included in the preference category with a value of > 3.5 (like), while Teh W. tenuiramis is in the category of quite a score of 3.
Discussion
From the results of this study, it appears that both A. Malaccensis and W. tenuiramis have the potential as a good source of antioxidants and has its own charm as an herbal drink. The existence of antioxidants in tea can provide health benefits, such as protection against free radicals that contribute to various diseases. In addition, community preferences for both types of agarwood leaf tea provide an overview of the market potential that can be further developed.
Conclusion
Therefore, it is highly recommended to do more research related to the health benefits of agarwood leaves and the development of agarwood leaf-based products so that people are more familiar with and use them. This study not only highlighted the health potential of agarwood tea but also opens opportunities for farmers and producers to develop products that are more innovative and beneficial for consumers.
Recommendations
Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations are made:
- Further research is needed to investigate the health benefits of agarwood leaves, including their antioxidant activity and potential therapeutic applications.
- Development of agarwood leaf-based products, such as tea, capsules, and extracts, should be encouraged to increase their availability and accessibility to consumers.
- Education and awareness programs should be implemented to inform the public about the health benefits and potential uses of agarwood leaves.
- Collaboration between farmers, producers, and researchers is necessary to develop sustainable and innovative agarwood leaf-based products that meet the needs of consumers.
Limitations
This study has several limitations that should be acknowledged. Firstly, the study was conducted in a laboratory setting, and the results may not be representative of the actual antioxidant activity of agarwood leaves in real-world scenarios. Secondly, the study only investigated the antioxidant activity of two species of agarwood leaves, and further research is needed to investigate the antioxidant activity of other species. Finally, the study only considered the preferences of 50 respondents, and further research is needed to investigate the preferences of a larger and more diverse group of consumers.
Future Directions
Future research should focus on investigating the health benefits of agarwood leaves, including their antioxidant activity and potential therapeutic applications. Additionally, research should be conducted to develop agarwood leaf-based products that are safe, effective, and accessible to consumers. Collaboration between farmers, producers, and researchers is necessary to develop sustainable and innovative agarwood leaf-based products that meet the needs of consumers.
Q&A: Antioxidant Test and Community Preferences for Agarwood Leaf Tea (Aquilaria Malaccensis Lamk.) And (Wiktroemia Tenuiramis Miq.) After Five Months Storage
Q: What is agarwood leaf tea?
A: Agarwood leaf tea is a type of herbal tea made from the leaves of the agarwood plant (Aquilaria malaccensis and Wiktroemia tenuiramis). The leaves contain a high amount of antioxidants, which are compounds that help protect the body against free radicals.
Q: What are the health benefits of agarwood leaf tea?
A: Agarwood leaf tea has been shown to have antioxidant activity, which can help protect the body against free radicals that contribute to various diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, and neurodegenerative disorders. Additionally, the tea may have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Q: What is the difference between A. Malaccensis and W. tenuiramis?
A: A. Malaccensis and W. tenuiramis are two different species of agarwood plants. While both species have antioxidant activity, the results of this study show that A. Malaccensis has a slightly higher antioxidant activity than W. tenuiramis.
Q: How was the antioxidant activity of agarwood leaf tea measured?
A: The antioxidant activity of agarwood leaf tea was measured using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) method, which measures the ability of antioxidants to inhibit free radicals.
Q: What is the IC50 value?
A: The IC50 value is a measure of the concentration of antioxidants required to inhibit 50% of free radicals. A lower IC50 value indicates a higher antioxidant activity.
Q: What were the results of the hedonic test?
A: The results of the hedonic test showed that tea from A. Malaccensis leaf has a scent score of 3.76 ± 0.822, a taste of 3.68 ± 0.819, and a color of 3.90 ± 0.814, which indicates that people prefer tea from this type. Meanwhile, tea from W. tenuiramis leaves obtained a scent score of 3.48 ± 0.862, taste 3.40 ± 0.880, and color of 3.10 ± 0.863.
Q: What are the implications of this study?
A: This study highlights the potential of agarwood leaf tea as a natural remedy for maintaining health and preventing diseases. Additionally, the study provides an overview of the market potential of agarwood leaf tea and suggests that further research is needed to develop agarwood leaf-based products that are safe, effective, and accessible to consumers.
Q: What are the limitations of this study?
A: This study has several limitations, including the small sample size of the hedonic test and the limited number of species of agarwood plants investigated. Further research is needed to confirm the results of this study and to investigate the antioxidant activity of other species of agarwood plants.
Q: What are the future directions for research on agarwood leaf tea?
A: Future research should focus on investigating the health benefits of agarwood leaf tea, including its antioxidant activity and potential therapeutic applications. Additionally, research should be conducted to develop agarwood leaf-based products that are safe, effective, and accessible to consumers. Collaboration between farmers, producers, and researchers is necessary to develop sustainable and innovative agarwood leaf-based products that meet the needs of consumers.
Q: How can I get agarwood leaf tea?
A: Agarwood leaf tea is not widely available in the market, but it can be found in some health food stores or online. Additionally, you can try growing your own agarwood plant and making your own tea at home.
Q: Is agarwood leaf tea safe to consume?
A: Agarwood leaf tea is generally considered safe to consume, but it may interact with certain medications or have side effects in certain individuals. It is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before consuming agarwood leaf tea, especially if you have any underlying health conditions.