Effect of Activated Carbon Decolorization on Color Intensity and Total Phenolic Content of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) Leaf Extract / An Pengaruh Perlakuan Dekolorisasi Karbon Aktif terhadap Intensitas Warna dan Kadar Fenolik Total dari Ekstrak Daun Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)

Background: Okra leaves (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) are a potential natural source of phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity and prospective applications in pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations. However, the dark green color of the extract, mainly due to chlorophyll pigments, may negatively affect the aesthetic quality of the final product. Decolorization using activated carbon is therefore required to improve visual appearance without reducing bioactive compounds. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of activated carbon decolorization on color intensity and total phenolic content of okra leaf extract. Methods: Okra leaf extract was prepared by maceration using 70% ethanol. Decolorization was performed using activated carbon at various concentrations (0.5–8%) and contact times (2–72 hours). Color intensity was measured using a UV–Vis spectrophotometer at 663.50 nm. Total phenolic content was determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu method and expressed as mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g extract. Statistical analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA at a significance level of 0.05. Results: Activated carbon effectively reduced color intensity through adsorption mechanisms. Variation in activated carbon concentration did not significantly affect total phenolic content (p = 0.71), whereas contact time had a significant effect (p = 0.0014). The optimum condition was observed at 24 hours of contact time, showing reduced color intensity while maintaining phenolic content. No significant correlation was found between absorbance reduction and total phenolic content (ρ = 0.102; p = 0.555), indicating selective adsorption. Conclusion: Activated carbon decolorization effectively improves the visual appearance of okra leaf extract without significantly reducing its total phenolic content. The optimum contact time was 24 hours, suggesting its potential application in enhancing the quality of natural-based pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations.

Latar Belakang: Daun okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) merupakan sumber senyawa fenolik alami yang memiliki aktivitas antioksidan dan berpotensi dikembangkan dalam sediaan farmasi serta kosmetik berbasis bahan alam. Namun, warna hijau pekat ekstrak akibat kandungan klorofil dapat menurunkan nilai estetika produk, sehingga diperlukan proses dekolorisasi tanpa mengurangi kandungan senyawa bioaktifnya. Tujuan: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengevaluasi pengaruh perlakuan dekolorisasi menggunakan karbon aktif terhadap intensitas warna dan kadar fenolik total ekstrak daun okra. Metode: Ekstrak daun okra diperoleh melalui metode maserasi menggunakan etanol 70%. Proses dekolorisasi dilakukan dengan variasi konsentrasi karbon aktif (0,5–8%) dan waktu kontak (2–72 jam). Intensitas warna diukur menggunakan spektrofotometer UV-Vis pada panjang gelombang 663,50 nm. Kadar fenolik total dianalisis dengan metode Folin–Ciocalteu dan dinyatakan sebagai mg GAE/g ekstrak. Analisis statistik dilakukan menggunakan uji ANOVA satu arah pada taraf signifikansi 0,05. Hasil: Karbon aktif terbukti mampu menurunkan intensitas warna ekstrak melalui mekanisme adsorpsi. Variasi konsentrasi karbon aktif tidak memberikan pengaruh signifikan terhadap kadar fenolik total (p = 0,71), sedangkan variasi waktu kontak berpengaruh signifikan (p = 0,0014). Kondisi optimum diperoleh pada waktu kontak 24 jam, yang menunjukkan penurunan intensitas warna tanpa penurunan kadar fenolik secara bermakna. Tidak ditemukan korelasi signifikan antara penurunan absorbansi dan kadar fenolik total (ρ = 0,102; p = 0,555), sehingga proses dekolorisasi berlangsung secara selektif. Kesimpulan: Perlakuan dekolorisasi menggunakan karbon aktif efektif memperbaiki tampilan warna ekstrak daun okra tanpa mengurangi kadar fenolik total secara signifikan. Waktu kontak optimum adalah 24 jam, sehingga metode ini berpotensi meningkatkan kualitas sediaan farmasi dan kosmetik berbasis bahan alam.