Eka Putri Saskia, Masdiana Tahir, Asriani Suhaenah

Determination of Tannin in Ethanol Extract of Bajakah Tampala Root (Spatholobus littoralis Hassk) as an Anticholesterol

Introduction

Determination of tannin in ethanol extract of bajakah tampala root (spatholobus littoralis hassk) as an anticholesterol. Discover the high tannin content (91.699 mg GAE/g extract) in Bajakah Tampala root ethanol extract, confirming its strong potential as a natural anticholesterol agent.

Abstract

The root of Bajakah Tampala (Spatholobus littoralis Hassk.) is known to contain several bioactive secondary metabolites, including saponins, flavonoids, phenolics, and tannins, which contribute to its broad pharmacological potential. Among these compounds, tannins play an important role in various therapeutic applications such as hemostasis, burn treatment, and the management of diarrhea, dysentery, and tumors. In addition, tannins possess anticholesterol properties by precipitating mucosal proteins on the surface of the small intestine, thereby reducing the absorption of cholesterol and lipids into the bloodstream. This study aimed to determine the tannin content in the ethanol extract of Bajakah Tampala root as part of an investigation into its potential as a natural anticholesterol agent. The extraction process was carried out using the maceration method with 96% ethanol as the solvent to ensure efficient recovery of phenolic compounds. Quantitative analysis of tannin content was performed using the UV-Visible spectrophotometric method at a wavelength of 750 nm, with gallic acid employed as the standard reference compound. The results showed that the tannin concentration in the ethanol extract of Bajakah Tampala root was 91.699 mg GAE/g extract (milligrams of gallic acid equivalent per gram of extract). These findings suggest that Bajakah Tampala root possesses a high tannin content, supporting its potential development as a natural anticholesterol agent and contributing to the growing evidence of its pharmacological benefits in traditional medicine.

Review

This study investigates the tannin content in the ethanol extract of *Bajakah Tampala* root (*Spatholobus littoralis* Hassk), aiming to quantify this compound in light of its reported anticholesterol properties. The abstract effectively highlights the plant's traditional significance and its array of bioactive metabolites, with a particular focus on tannins and their diverse pharmacological actions, including hemostatic, anti-inflammatory, and specific anticholesterol mechanisms. The clear objective—to determine tannin content—is well-articulated and positions the study as an initial yet crucial step in validating the plant's traditional use and potential as a natural therapeutic agent against hypercholesterolemia. This foundational chemical analysis is a necessary precursor to further pharmacological validation. The methodology employed for this determination is adequately described. The use of maceration with 96% ethanol is a standard and appropriate technique for extracting phenolic compounds. Quantitative analysis via UV-Visible spectrophotometry at 750 nm, utilizing gallic acid as a standard, is a widely accepted and robust method for tannin and total phenolic content determination, expressed as gallic acid equivalents (GAE). The reported result of 91.699 mg GAE/g extract indicates a substantial concentration of tannins, strongly supporting the authors' premise that *Bajakah Tampala* is rich in these compounds. The clarity of the methods and the specific quantitative outcome contribute to the scientific rigor of this initial phytochemical investigation. While the study successfully quantifies the tannin content, a critical aspect of the title, "as an Anticholesterol," remains an inference rather than a demonstrated property within the scope of this abstract. The high tannin content indeed supports the *potential* for anticholesterol activity, but the abstract does not present any direct evidence (e.g., *in vitro* or *in vivo* assays) to substantiate this claim. Future research should therefore focus on validating the anticholesterol efficacy of the extract, correlating the observed tannin content with specific biochemical markers or *in vivo* models. Nevertheless, this work provides valuable phytochemical data that contributes to the scientific understanding of *Bajakah Tampala* root and lays a strong groundwork for subsequent pharmacological investigations into its therapeutic applications.

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