Shamika, D. G. H.Dissanayake, D.Perumpuli, B.Kumar, N. S.Jayasinghe, L.2024-11-212024-11-212019-09-12978-955-589-282-7https://ir.lib.pdn.ac.lk/handle/20.500.14444/3888Though underutilized, Flacourtia indica Roxb. (Lovi) and Flacourtia inermis (Burm.f.) Merr. (Uguressa) of the family Flacourtiaceae are a rich source of biologically active compounds such as phenolics, anthocyanins and hydroxybenzyl alcohol glycosides. Thermal sterilization can be used to increase the shelf life of fruit juices for a considerable period. However, during sterilization, nutritional and bioactive properties can be changed either adversely or favorably. Hence, the current study was focused on the effect of thermal sterilization at 121 ⁰C for 20 minutes, on bioactivity of extracts obtained from sterilized and fresh fruit juice of two fruits. Antioxidant activity was determined using 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl activity (DPPH) radical scavenging power assay which was expressed in IC₅₀. Total phenolic content (TPC) was determined by Folin ciocalteu method and α-amylase enzyme inhibitory activity was determined by Dinitrosalicylic Acid (DNSA) method which was also expressed in IC₅₀ values. Extracts obtained from sterilized juice of F. indica shows the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀ 51.49 ±0.6 ppm). The highest TPC value was recorded in the sterilized juice of F. indica (85.35±4.9 mg of gallic acid/g of extract). Thus, antioxidant activities of extracts obtained from the sterilized juice of F. indica has increased with the sterilization. This may be due to hydrolysis of polyphenols in both species. The α-amylase inhibitory activity of all the crude extracts was found to be significantly less than that of Acarbose (IC₅₀ 19.85 ppm), which is commonly identified as clinical drug for hyperglycemia. However, α-amylase inhibitory activity of the juice of both fruits was further reduced upon sterilization. Possible reason may be the α-amylase inhibitory activity might have related to heat liable compound. In conclusion, consuming the thermally sterilized juice of F. inermis and F. indica will provide benefits in human diets as a rich source of natural antioxidant and phenolic compounds. However, α-amylase inhibitory activity of the juice of both fruits was further reduced upon sterilization.en-USAntioxidantA- amylase inhibitory assayFlacourtia indicaFlacourtia inermisTotal phenolic contentArticle