The Potential of Soursop Leaf Extract (Annona muricata L.) as Natural Antioxidants for Sunscreen Gels

Abstract

Soursop leaf (Annona muricata L.) contains antioxidants and can be used as an alternative natural antioxidant. The aimed of study was to determine the antioxidant activity and the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of sunscreen gels. Soursop leaf extract was processed by maceration method using 96% ethanol as solvent. The test of antioxidant activity used the DPPH method. The results of the IC₅₀ for Vitamin C as a positive control was 6,83 ppm (μg/mL) which included in the very strong category (< 50 ppm) and the IC50 for soursop leaf extract was 63,91 ppm (μg/mL) which included in the strong category (50 < x < 100 ppm). Then, soursop leaf extract was used in the sunscreen gel with different concentration are 0% (F0), 1% (F1), 2% (F2), 3% (F3), and 4% (F4). The data of SPF was analyzed by one way ANOVA method and continued with Tukey Honestly Significance Difference (HSD) test with a 95% confidence level. The data of SPF for each formula are F0: 0.29 (Uncategorized); F1: 4.38 (Medium); F2: 7.78 (Extra); F3: 9.55 (Maximum); and F4: 12.71 (Maximum). The analysis results showed that soursop leaf extract had an effect for the SPF of sunscreen gel.