This study reports the chemical composition and antioxidant potential of pulp
waste from two vegetables, carrot (Daucus carota) and beetroot (Beta vulgaris).
Different in vitro assays used for determining antioxidant potential of extracts of
pulp wastes were: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging
capacity, reducing power and total antioxidant activity by phosphomolybdenum
method. Total polyphenols, tannins and antioxidative components such as
vitamin C, total carotenoids and â-carotene were analysed in the samples. The
moisture content of samples ranged from 79 - 84%. The protein content was
high in beetroot (13.23 mg/100g) and low in carrot (6.21mg/100g). Total
polyphenols were higher in methanol extracts of samples (220-250 mg/100g)
compared to ethanol and aqueous extracts. The antioxidant activity determined
by the DPPH method exhibited 40% and 78% activity in methanol extracts of
carrot and beetroot pulp waste (20 mg) respectively. Overall, the results suggest
that carrot and beetroot pulp wastes can be exploited for their nutrients and
antioxidant components and used for value addition in food formulations. Hence,
these results pave the way for utilisation of bio-wastes from the food industry.