Determination of chemical composition and evaluation of the antioxidant activity of alcoholic extracts from the fruits of Caryota mitis Lour. In Việt Nam

Caryota mitis Lour. is a tropical palm species traditionally used in folk medicine and considered a potential source of natural bioactive compounds. The present study aimed to investigate the phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of the ethanolic fruit extract of Caryota mitis Lour. collected in Thai Nguyen province, Viet Nam. Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of several important secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, and saponins. The phytochemical profile of the extract was further analyzed using GC–MS, which tentatively identified more than 100 compounds belonging to different chemical groups such as flavonoids, lignans, alkaloids, steroids, ketones, and aromatic amides. Among the detected compounds, 3,3-Dimethoxy-2-butanone and 1-Butanamine were identified as major constituents. Several compounds with known biological activities, including flavonoid and phenolic derivatives, were also detected, suggesting potential pharmacological significance. The antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated using the DPPH radical scavenging assay. The extract exhibited concentration-dependent antioxidant activity with considerable free radical scavenging capacity compared with vitamin C. The observed antioxidant potential may be associated with the synergistic effects of phenolic and flavonoid constituents present in the extract. These findings indicate that Caryota mitis Lour. fruits may serve as a promising natural source of bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical and functional food applications.