The present research work was carried out to assess the effect of maturation process on in vitro antioxidant activity of C. guianensis flower and fruit. The antioxidant activities of methanolic extracts of flower and fruit of young and matured stages were investigated spectrophotometrically against DPPH, ABTS, H2O2, NO, superoxide, hydroxyl radical and lipid per oxidation, along with ferric reducing power, metal chelating and β-carotene bleaching assay. Total phenols, flavonoids, ortho-dihydric phenols and anthocyanin were also determined. The methanolic extract obtained from young fruit was found to possess higher level of phenolic content, flavonoids as well as ortho-dihydric phenol content. The young stages were observed with highly potential free radical scavenging activity in comparison to that of matured one. The results demonstrated that the maturation process had profound impact on the antioxidant activity and polyphenol content of C. guianensis flower as well as fruit; also the young stages are suggested as the best harvest stage for medicinal purposes. A positive correlation was observed between polyphenolic contents and the antioxidant activity of the methanolic extracts. Further studies are required for the isolation of active principles responsible for its antioxidant activity.
