DPPH SCAVENGING ACTIVITIES OF LOCALLY EXTRACTED Elaeis guineensis (PALM KERNEL) OIL

Although Elaeis guineensis (Palm kernel) oil is a dietary staple across West Africa, the antioxidant properties of locally processed, unrefined varieties remain under-researched. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant capacity of locally extracted palm kernel oil using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assay. The oil was obtained via mechanical pressing and its efficacy was benchmarked against ascorbic acid. The findings revealed a concentration-dependent rise in antioxidant activity. Specifically, inhibition rates grew from 14.13% at the lowest concentration (50 µg/mL) to a peak of 44.15% at 250 µg/mL. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) was calculated at 285.77 µg/mL. While the unrefined oil displayed lower scavenging potential than the standard ascorbic acid, the results confirm that locally extracted palm kernel oil retains bioactive compounds, such as tocopherols, capable of reducing oxidative stress. These findings validate the oil's traditional value and suggest it has promise as a functional food ingredient.