The Use of Corn Cob and Leaf Waste (Zea mays L.) as Herbal Support for Malaria Prevention: A Social–Humanities Approach Based on Laboratory Evidence

Authors

  • Wiwit Zuriati Uno Universitas Negeri Gorontalo
  • Dian Pratiwi Iman Departement of Medical Education, Gorontalo state of University, Indonesia
  • Rifka Anggraini Anggai Departement of Medical Education, Gorontalo state of University, Indonesia
  • Mahdalena Sy Pakaya Departement of Medical Education, Gorontalo state of University, Indonesia
  • Sri Manovita Pateda Departement of Medical Education, Gorontalo state of University, Indonesia

Keywords:

Social Solution

Abstract

Corn cobs and corn leaves (Zea mays L.) are abundant agricultural wastes with potential bioactive value. This study aimed to evaluate the extraction efficiency, phytochemical profile, and antioxidant activity of corn cob and corn leaf extracts obtained using solvents of different polarities, and to assess their relevance as supportive herbal resources for health promotion. Samples were extracted using ethanol, acetone, and n-hexane, followed by phytochemical screening and antioxidant evaluation using the DPPH method. The results demonstrated that ethanol extracts produced the highest yields and exhibited very strong antioxidant activity, indicated by low IC₅₀ values. These findings suggest that polar phytochemicals, particularly phenolic and flavonoid compounds, are the main contributors to the antioxidant potential of corn waste materials. Overall, this study provides scientific evidence supporting the valorization of corn agricultural waste as a sustainable source of antioxidant-rich herbal materials with potential relevance for oxidative stress management.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

rifianti, L., Oktarina, R., & Kusumawati, I. (2014). Effect of solvent polarity on antioxidant activity of plant extracts. Pharmaciana, 4(2), 125–134.

Ayu, P. D., & Adi, R. T. (2024). Phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity of agricultural waste extracts. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science, 14(1), 45–53. https://doi.org/10.7324/JAPS.2024.140106

Haerani, A., Chaerunisa, A. Y., & Subarnas, A. (2018). Antioxidant activity of natural compounds and their application in health. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research, 11(3), 34–40.

Harborne, J. B. (2015). Phytochemical methods: A guide to modern techniques of plant analysis. Springer.

Hasanuddin, M., Rahmawati, N., & Sari, D. P. (2023). Natural antioxidants and oxidative stress modulation: A review. Journal of Herbal Medicine, 38, 100631. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hermed.2023.100631

Hidayah, N., & Anggarani, M. A. (2022). Phenolic content and antioxidant activity of plant waste extracts using different solvents. Indonesian Journal of Chemistry, 22(4), 1021–1030. https://doi.org/10.22146/ijc.73521

Ibroham, Jamilatun, S., & Kumalasari, E. (2022). Natural antioxidants from agricultural residues: Extraction and application. Food Research, 6(6), 135–142. https://doi.org/10.26656/fr.2017.6(6).512

Kumar, S., & Pandey, A. K. (2017). Chemistry and biological activities of flavonoids. Academic Press.

Nurrohmah, S., Pratiwi, R., & Lestari, D. (2021). Phytochemical and antioxidant properties of corn by-products. International Journal of Food Science, 2021, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/6678234

Olagunju, J. A., & Oyedapo, O. O. (2022). Oxidative stress and antioxidant therapy in malaria infection. Journal of Infection and Public Health, 15(9), 1051–1058. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jiph.2022.07.012

Prasetyo, A., & Lestari, F. (2023). Antioxidant potential of maize leaf extract and its health implications. Journal of Natural Remedies, 23(1), 1–10.

Prior, R. L., Wu, X., & Schaich, K. (2015). Standardized methods for the determination of antioxidant capacity. Wiley-Blackwell.

Rahman, M. M., Islam, M. B., & Biswas, M. (2022). In vitro antioxidant assays and interpretation: A critical review. Antioxidants, 11(6), 1115. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11061115

Rehman, H. U., Ali, M., & Khan, A. (2023). Valorization of agricultural waste for antioxidant-rich extracts. Bioresource Technology Reports, 22, 101414. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biteb.2023.101414

Sarker, S. D., & Nahar, L. (2019). Natural products isolation (3rd ed.). Humana Press.

Singh, B., Sharma, P., & Kumar, R. (2022). Role of phenolic compounds in antioxidant defense mechanisms. Antioxidants, 11(9), 1764. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11091764

Widyastuti, E., Hartono, S., & Kurniawan, D. W. (2023). Antioxidant activity of corn cob extract using DPPH method. Jurnal Farmasi Indonesia, 20(2), 87–95.

World Health Organization. (2022). WHO guidelines on malaria. Geneva: WHO Press.

Zhang, Y., Liu, X., & Wang, J. (2022). Solvent effects on phenolic extraction and antioxidant capacity of plant residues. Food Chemistry, 373, 131418. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.131418

Zhao, C., Li, X., & Chen, S. (2023). Green solvent extraction of antioxidants from agricultural waste. Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy, 31, 100903. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scp.2023.100903

Downloads

Published

2025-12-19

How to Cite

Uno, W. Z., Dian Pratiwi Iman, Rifka Anggraini Anggai, Mahdalena Sy Pakaya, & Sri Manovita Pateda. (2025). The Use of Corn Cob and Leaf Waste (Zea mays L.) as Herbal Support for Malaria Prevention: A Social–Humanities Approach Based on Laboratory Evidence. Qoumun: Journal of Social and Humanities, 1(2), 121–131. Retrieved from https://jurnal.kayaswara.com/index.php/qoumun/article/view/71

Similar Articles

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.