In vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of N-butanol extract from Liquidambar formosana Hance leaves

To explore antioxidant activity and inhibitory effect of N-butanol extract from Liquidambar formosana Hance leaves, in this test determine the size of the inhibition zone using drilling method and the minimum inhibitory concentrations ( MIC) with tubes serial dilution method, then detect and evaluate its antioxidation activities by scavenging activity to DPPH·, superoxide anion (O2-·) and hydroxyl (·OH) free radicals. Results showed that N-butanol extract from Liquidambar formosana Hance leaves had inhibition to seven kinds of tested bacterias and significant differences among different concentrations and different strains. In addition, the inhibition of bacterial was stronger than fungal as well as the antibacterial effect on Gram-negative bacteria was better than Gram-positive bacteria. The MIC of Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus tetragenus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium oxalicum were 3.1, 12.5, 12.5, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 12.5mg/m L, respectively. The results also showed that the extract from Liquidambar formosana Hance leaves, which had strong antioxidant activities, could be developed as a functional food resource.