Antioxidant activities and polyphenolics from the shoots of Barringtonia racemosa (L.) Spreng in a polar to apolar medium system

► Antioxidants from B. racemosa shoots were extracted with water, ethanol, ethyl acetate and hexane. ► Water extracts have the highest antioxidant activities, polyphenols and vitamin C. ► Ethyl acetate extracts have the highest content of flavonoids and carotenoids. ► Hexane is least suitable for extraction of antioxidants from B. racemosa shoots. ► Gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, ellagic acid, quercetin and kaempferol were detected in the leaves.