Structure-antioxidant activity relationships of flavonoids and phenolic acids

Flavonoids are nearly ubiquitous in plants and are recognized as the pigments responsible for the colors of leaves, especially in autumn. They are rich in seeds, citrus fruits, olive oil, tea, and red wine. They are low molecular weight compounds composed of a three-ring structure with various substitutions. This basic structure is shared by tocopherols (vitamin E). Flavonoids can be subdivided according to the presence of an oxy group at position 4, a double bond between carbon atoms 2 and 3, or a hydroxyl group in position 3 of the C (middle) ring. These characteristics appear to also be required for best activity, especially antioxidant and antiproliferative, in the systems studied. The particular hydroxylation pattern of the B ring of the flavonoles increases their activities, especially in inhibition of mast cell secretion. Certain plants and spices containing flavonoids have been used for thousands of years in traditional Eastern medicine. In spite of the voluminous literature available, however, Western medicine has not yet used flavonoids therapeutically, even though their safety record is exceptional. Suggestions are made where such possibilities may be worth pursuing.

The Effects of Plant Flavonoids on Mammalian Cells:Implications for Inflammation, Heart Disease, and Cancer

Antioxidant properties of phenolic compounds

The antioxidant activities and total phenolics of 28 plant products, including sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, wheat germ, buckwheat, and several fruits, vegetables, and medicinal plants were determined. The total phenolic content, determined according to the Folin−Ciocalteu method, varied from 169 to 10548 mg/100 g of dry product. Antioxidant activity of methanolic extract evaluated according to the β-carotene bleaching method expressed as AOX (Δ log A470/min), AA (percent inhibition relative to control), ORR (oxidation rate ratio), and AAC (antioxidant activity coefficient) ranged from 0.05, 53.7, 0.009, and 51.7 to 0.26, 99.1, 0.46, and 969.3, respectively. The correlation coefficient between total phenolics and antioxidative activities was statistically significant. Keywords: Antioxidant activity; phenolics; medicinal plants; oilseeds; buckwheat; vegetables; fruits; wheat products

Antioxidant Activity and Total Phenolics in Selected Fruits, Vegetables, and Grain Products

Advances in flavonoid research since 1992.

Reports in recent years both in the popular and scientific press have stressed the value and advantages of natural ingredients as food preservatives. There is an implied assumption of safety for compounds that occur naturally in foods and that have been consumed for many centuries. It is not the intent of the authors to debate the issue of superiority of either natural or synthetic food components as to the safety or functional properties. It is preferable, however, to use substances that do not pose problems of proof of safety. Caution should be employed in the use of natural compounds: except for the major commercial synthetic versions (tocopherols, ascorbic acid) they have not usually been subjected to scrutiny and scientific evaluation as have the artificial synthetic compounds (BHA, BHT). Their potential as mutagens, carcinogens, teratogens, or as other pathogens must be investigated.

Natural Antioxidants Not Exploited Commercially

Polyhydroxy flavonoid antioxidants for edible oils. structural criteria for activity

Polyhydroxy chalcones and flavanones as antioxidants for edible oils

Phenolic acids and related compounds as antioxidants for edible oils

The saponin fractions of defatted lupinseed meals can be extracted by means of 20 per cent aqueous ethanol. Acid hydrolysis of the extract affords, from each species, a characteristic range of sapo...

Bertram J. F. Hudson

Papers

Natural Antioxidants Not Exploited Commercially

Polyhydroxy flavonoid antioxidants for edible oils. structural criteria for activity

Polyhydroxy chalcones and flavanones as antioxidants for edible oils

Phenolic acids and related compounds as antioxidants for edible oils

The Sapogenins Of The Seeds Of Four Lupin Species