Differences in chemical constituents, anti-oxidant and anti-microbial activities of male and female Carica papaya (pawpaw)

This study investigated the phytochemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of leaf and root extracts from male and female Carica papaya plants. Ethanol extracts from both plant genders were subjected to phytochemical screening, DPPH free radical scavenging assay for antioxidant activity, and agar well diffusion method for antimicrobial assessment. Phytochemical analysis revealed that female C. papaya leaf extract contained the highest diversity of chemical constituents (7 groups), including unique compounds like flavonoids and phytosterols absent in male plants. Antioxidant activity was highest in female leaf extract (IC₅₀ = 13.85 ± 0.38 µg/mL), followed by male root (IC₅₀ = 23.50 ± 2.00 µg/mL), female root (IC₅₀ = 30.84 ± 6.87 µg/mL), and male leaf (IC₅₀ = 42.63 ± 2.40 µg/mL). However, none of the extracts demonstrated antimicrobial activity against the tested organisms. These findings suggest significant gender-based phytochemical variations in C. papaya with implications for potential medicinal applications, particularly regarding antioxidant properties of female leaf extracts.