Showing papers in "Plant Foods for Human Nutrition in 2009"
TL;DR: The data obtained in the present study suggests that the extracts of Moringa oleifera both mature and tender leaves have potent antioxidant activity against free radicals, prevent oxidative damage to major biomolecules and afford significant protection against oxidative damage.
Abstract: Antioxidants play an important role in inhibiting and scavenging free radicals, thus providing protection to human against infections and degenerative diseases. Current research is now directed towards natural antioxidants originated from plants due to safe therapeutics. Moringa oleifera is used in Indian traditional medicine for a wide range of various ailments. To understand the mechanism of pharmacological actions, antioxidant properties of the Moringa oleifera leaf extracts were tested in two stages of maturity using standard in vitro models. The successive aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera exhibited strong scavenging effect on 2, 2-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical, superoxide, nitric oxide radical and inhibition of lipid per oxidation. The free radical scavenging effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract was comparable with that of the reference antioxidants. The data obtained in the present study suggests that the extracts of Moringa oleifera both mature and tender leaves have potent antioxidant activity against free radicals, prevent oxidative damage to major biomolecules and afford significant protection against oxidative damage.
535 citations
TL;DR: Multiple regression analysis showed that the relationship of total antioxidant activity, free radical scavenging activity, and reducing power with polyphenol and total and β-carotene was highly significant.
Abstract: To identify the potential of green leafy vegetables (GLV) as antioxidants, methanolic extracts of Amaranthus sp., Centella asiatica, Murraya koenigii and Trigonella foenum graecum were studied for their antioxidant activity in different systems at multiple concentrations. Total antioxidant activity assessed by phosphomolybdenum method, free radical scavenging activity by 1,1-diphenly-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), reducing power and ferrous ion chelating activity were determined. The GLV were analyzed for ascorbic acid, total and β-carotene and total polyphenol contents. The ascorbic acid, total carotene, β-carotene and total phenolic content (tannic acid equivalents) of the GLV ranged between 15.18–101.36, 34.78–64.51, 4.23–8.84 and 150.0–387.50 mg/100 g GLV, respectively. The extracts were found to have significantly different levels of antioxidant activities in the systems tested. The total antioxidant activity was highest in Murraya koenigii (2,691.78 μmol of ascorbic acid/g sample) and least in Centella asiatica (623.78 μmol of ascorbic acid/g sample). The extract concentration causing 50% inhibition of DPPH (IC50) was determined (M. koenigii < C.asiatica < Amaranthus sp. < T. graecum). The maximum DPPH scavenging activity and reducing power was exhibited by Murraya koenigii. Multiple regression analysis showed that the relationship of total antioxidant activity, free radical scavenging activity, and reducing power with polyphenol and total and β-carotene was highly significant.
228 citations
TL;DR: The research shows intervarietal differences among prickly pears in terms of juice properties and phytochemicals that could prevent oxidative stress and cancer.
Abstract: Juices of nine prickly pears (Opuntia spp.) were characterized in terms of color, acidity, sugar content, phenolics, flavonoids, betalains and antioxidant activity and tested in vitro against four cancer cell lines. The juices had pH s, acidities and sugar ranging from 4.27 to 5.46, 0.03 to 0.27% and 8 to 14.7 degrees Brix, respectively. Juices also varied in color from white to purple and contained total phenolics, flavonoids, betaxanthins, betacyanins and antioxidant capacity ranging from 22 to 226 microg gallic acid eq/g, 95 to 374 microg quercetin eq/g, 3 to 189 microg/g, 1.6 to 300 microg/g and 17 to 25 micromoles Trolox eq./mL, respectively. Among the cancer lines tested, viability of prostate and colon cells were the most affected. Moradillo contained the highest flavonoids and diminished both prostate and colon cancer cell viability without affecting mammary or hepatic cancer cells. Rastrero reduced the growth of the four cancer cell lines without affecting normal fibroblast viability. The research shows intervarietal differences among prickly pears in terms of juice properties and phytochemicals that could prevent oxidative stress and cancer.
217 citations
TL;DR: The antioxidative activities of water extract and crude hot-water soluble polysaccharide from Ficus carica L. fruit were investigated using various assays in vitro, including scavenging abilities on DPPH, superoxide and hydroxyl radicals and reducing power.
Abstract: The antioxidative activities of water extract (WE) and crude hot-water soluble polysaccharide (PS) from Ficus carica L. fruit were investigated using various assays in vitro, including scavenging abilities on DPPH, superoxide and hydroxyl radicals and reducing power. The immunity activities of PS were evaluated using the carbon clearance test and serum hemolysin analysis in mice. In addition, total phenolics and flavonoids contents were also determined. Both WE and PS have notable scavenging activities on DPPH with the EC50 values of 0.72 and 0.61 mg/ml, respectively. The PS showed higher scavenging activity than WE on superoxide radical (EC50, 0.95 mg/ml) and hydroxyl anion radical (scavenging rate 43.4% at concentration of 4 mg/ml). The PS (500 mg/kg) also has a significant increase in the clearance rate of carbon particles and serum hemolysin level of normal mice. The results indicate that both WE and PS might be applicable in healthy medicine and food industry.
147 citations
TL;DR: An acute intake of 15 g of a dietary fiber rich in associated phenolic antioxidants in healthy volunteers increased antioxidant capacity of plasma in relation to a control group, showing that Phenolic antioxidants associated with dietary fiber are at least partially bioavailable in humans, although dietary fiber appears to delay their absorption.
Abstract: Most studies on bioavailability of phenolic antioxidants are focused in foods and beverages in which they may be easily released from the food matrix, reaching a peak in plasma antioxidant capacity 1-2 h after the intake. However, plant foods contain significant amounts of polyphenols associated with dietary fiber. The aim of the present work was to seek the bioavailability of total phenolic antioxidants associated with dietary fiber by measuring plasma antioxidant capacity in human volunteers. An acute intake of 15 g of a dietary fiber rich in associated phenolic antioxidants in healthy volunteers (n = 10) increased antioxidant capacity of plasma in relation to a control group (n = 4), becoming significant 8 h after the intake. This shows that phenolic antioxidants associated with dietary fiber are at least partially bioavailable in humans, although dietary fiber appears to delay their absorption. No significant changes were observed after long-term intake (16 weeks, 34 subjects).
143 citations
TL;DR: Findings support that long-term administration of an ethanolic extract of mulberry leaf has antihyperglycemic, antioxidant and antiglycation effects in chronic diabetic rats, which may be beneficial as food supplement for diabetics.
Abstract: In Thailand, beverages containing mulberry leaf (Morus alba L.) are believed to promote good health, especially in people with diabetes. We examined the effects of long-term administration of an ethanolic extract of mulberry leaf (MA) on blood glucose, oxidative damage, and glycation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Daily administration of 1 g/kg MA for six weeks decreased blood glucose by 22%, which was comparable to the effect of 4 U/kg insulin. Lipid peroxidation, measured as malondialdehyde and lipid hydroperoxide concentrations (3.50 ± 0.33 and 3.76 ± 0.18 μM, respectively) decreased significantly (P < 0.05) compared to nontreated control diabetic rats (8.19 ± 0.45 and 7.50 ± 0.46 μM, respectively). Hemoglobin A1C, a biomarker for chronic exposure to high concentration of glucose, was also significantly decreased in the MA-treated group (6.78 ± 0.30%) in comparison to untreated group (9.02 ± 0.30%). The IC50 of in vitro antiglycation and free radical scavenging activities of MA were 16.4 ± 5.6 μg/ml and 61.7 ± 2.1 μg/ml, respectively. These findings support that long-term administration of MA has antihyperglycemic, antioxidant and antiglycation effects in chronic diabetic rats, which may be beneficial as food supplement for diabetics.
129 citations
TL;DR: Boiling extracts of the seaweeds, except C. racemosa, were found to have higher total phenolic contents (TPC) than those obtained from the autoclave method, which reflected that in addition to the phenolic compounds, there might be some other active components present in these extracts involved in the antioxidant activity.
Abstract: The aqueous extracts of four marine algae, Caulerpa racemosa var. macrophysa, Gracilaria tenuistipitata var. tenuistipitata, Sargassum sp., and Ulva lactuca, from the coastal areas in Southern Thailand, were prepared by boiling dried seaweed powder in water for 3 h, and by autoclaving each sample at 120 degrees C for 3 h. They were then freeze-dried and evaluated for their antioxidant activities using DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), hydroxyl radical (OH(*)) and superoxide anion (O(2)(*-) ) scavenging assays. Boiling extracts of the seaweeds, except C. racemosa, were found to have higher total phenolic contents (TPC) than those obtained from the autoclave method. The antioxidant results also showed that O(2)(*-) scavenging activity existed only in the boiling extracts of C. racemosa, G. tenuistipitata, and U. lactuca. In DPPH and OH(*) assays, however, almost all the boiling extracts were less active than the autoclave ones. Among the four alga species, Sargassum sp. was the most active. Both extracts of this seaweed had the highest TPC and also displayed the strongest DPPH(*) and OH(*) inhibitory activities. A strong positive-correlation between the antioxidant potency and TPC of the autoclave extracts was found, while for the boiling extracts such relation was very weak. This result thus reflected that in addition to the phenolic compounds, there might be some other active components present in these extracts involved in the antioxidant activity.
116 citations
TL;DR: The results of this study suggest that D. lotus displays a good antioxidant activity and has antiproliferative effects, both activities are related to identified phenolic compounds.
Abstract: The object of the study was to determine the chemical composition of Diospyros lotus L. extract and their antioxidant and antiproliferative properties. Eight compounds were isolated from D. lotus and identified as gallic acid, methylgallate, ellagic acid, kaempferol, quercetin, myricetin, myricetin 3-O-β-glucuronide, and myricetin-3-O-α-rhamnoside. D. lotus extract tested in different in vitro systems (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and Fe2+ chelating activity assay) showed significant antioxidant activity. The potential antiproliferative properties of D. lotus extract and isolated compounds against nine human cancer cell lines such as COR-L23, CaCo-2, C32, ACHN, A375, A549, Huh-7D12, MCF-7, and LNCaP were investigated in vitro by SRB assay. D. lotus extract demonstrated the highest inhibitory activity against COR-L23 with an IC50 value of 12.2 μg/ml. Among identified hydrolysable tannins, ellagic acid evidenced strong antiproliferative activity against both C32 and A375 cells with IC50 values of 0.8 and 4.1 μg/ml, respectively. Interesting results were observed, also, with gallic acid that showed the highest cytotoxic activity against CaCo-2 (IC50 2.6 μg/ml). Overall, the results of this study suggest that D. lotus displays a good antioxidant activity and has antiproliferative effects. Both activities are related to identified phenolic compounds.
114 citations
TL;DR: Findings indicate the synergistic protective effect of green tea and vitamin E during ISO induced myocardial infarction in rats, as compared with ISO treated group and green tea or vitamin E alone treated groups.
Abstract: The present study was aimed to investigate the combined effects of green tea and vitamin E on heart weight, body weight, serum marker enzymes, lipid peroxidation, endogenous antioxidants and membrane bound ATPases in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction in rats. Adult male albino rats, treated with ISO (200 mg/kg, s.c.) for 2 days at an interval of 24 h caused a significant (P < 0.05) elevation of heart weight, serum marker enzymes, lipid peroxidation and Ca+2 ATPase level whereas there was a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in body weight, endogenous antioxidants, Na+/ K+ ATPase and Mg+2 ATPase levels. Administration of green tea (100 mg/kg/day, p.o.) and vitamin E (100 mg/kg/day, p.o.) together for 30 consecutive days and challenged with ISO on the day 29th and 30th, showed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in heart weight, serum marker enzymes, lipid peroxidation, Ca+2 ATPase and a significant increase in the body weight, endogenous antioxidants, Na+/K+ ATPase and Mg+2 ATPase when compared with ISO treated group and green tea or vitamin E alone treated groups. These findings indicate the synergistic protective effect of green tea and vitamin E during ISO induced myocardial infarction in rats.
97 citations
TL;DR: The study highlights cherry juice as a potent COX-2 inhibitor and antioxidant in the liver and blood of mice, but not in the brain, highlighting it as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory product with beneficial health-promoting properties.
Abstract: The present investigation tested the in vivo antioxidant efficacy (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT; glutathione peroxidase; Gpx), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and anti-inflammatory properties (cyclooxygenase-2; COX-2) of sour cherry juices obtained from an autochthonous cultivar (Prunus cerasus cv. Maraska) that is grown in coastal parts of Croatia. Antioxidant potential was tested in mouse tissue (blood, liver, and brain), LPO (liver, brain) and anti-inflammatory properties in glycogen elicited macrophages. Additionally, the concentration of cyanidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-rutinoside, pelargonidin-3-glucoside, pelargonidin-3-rutinoside and total anthocyanins present in Prunus cerasus cv. Maraska cherry juice was determined. Mice were randomly divided into a control group (fed with commercial food pellets) and 2 experimental groups (fed with commercial food pellets with 10% or 50% of cherry juice added). Among the anthocyanins, the cyanidin-3-glucoside was present in the highest concentration. These results show antioxidant action of cherry juice through increased SOD (liver, blood) and Gpx (liver) activity and decreased LPO concentration. The study highlights cherry juice as a potent COX-2 inhibitor and antioxidant in the liver and blood of mice, but not in the brain. Thus, according to our study, Prunus cerasus cv. Maraska cherry juice might potentially be used as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory product with beneficial health-promoting properties.
90 citations
TL;DR: The carotenoid composition of jackfruit was successfully determined, where 14 of the 18 identified carotanoids were reported for first time, and differences among batches may be due to genetic and/or agricultural factors.
Abstract: Carotenoids are pigments responsible for the yellow-reddish color of many foods and are related to important functions and physiological actions, preventing several chronic-degenerative diseases. The objective of this study was to confirm the carotenoid composition of jackfruit by high-performance liquid chromatography connected to photodiode array and mass spectrometry detectors (HPLC-PDA-MS/MS). The main carotenoids were all-trans-lutein (24–44%), all-trans-β-carotene (24–30%), all-trans-neoxanthin (4–19%), 9-cis-neoxanthin (4–9%) and 9-cis-violaxanthin (4–10%). Either qualitative or quantitative differences, mainly related to the lutein proportion, were found among three batches of jackfruit. Since the fruits from batch A showed significantly lower contents for almost all carotenoids, it also had the lowest total carotenoid content (34.1 μg/100 g) and provitamin A value, whereas the total carotenoid ranged from 129.0 to 150.3 μg/100 g in the other batches. The provitamin A values from batches B and C were 3.3 and 4.3 μg RAE/100 g, respectively. The carotenoid composition of jackfruit was successfully determined, where 14 of the 18 identified carotenoids were reported for first time. Differences among batches may be due to genetic and/or agricultural factors.
TL;DR: Comparison of the determined total quercetin content and the calculated content of quERCetin released from rutin did not prove important presence of quercettin or other quercETin derivatives than rutIn, Amaranthus hybrid and A. cruentus were the best sources of rutins.
Abstract: The aim of the study was to confirm the presence of rutin, one of the most common quercetin glycosides, and other quercetin derivatives in plants of genus Amaranthus, to investigate the influence of the species and variety on rutin distribution in the plant and content changes during growing season. The rutin content was determined by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography in individual plant parts at the beginning of the growth, at the flowering stage and at the maturity stage of five Amaranthus species. The total quercetin content was determined by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography too. The rutin content in amaranth ranged from 0.08 (in seeds) to 24.5 g/kg dry matter (in leaves). Comparison of the determined total quercetin content and the calculated content of quercetin released from rutin did not prove important presence of quercetin or other quercetin derivatives than rutin. Only amaranth leaves sampled at the maturity stage probably contained quercetin or quercetin derivatives. Significant differences in the rutin content were established among species and as well varieties. Amaranthus hybrid and A. cruentus were the best sources of rutin.
TL;DR: Frozen berries and related jams are still excellent sources of nutritional substances with antioxidant potential, regardless of the losses in the amount of total phenolics, total anthocyanins and radical scavenging activity.
Abstract: Chemical composition and the effects of domestic processing and storage were studied in organically cultivated or wild growing berries, harvested in certificated area in Serbia. The total phenolics content in fresh berries ranged from 380 to 1660 mg GAE/100 g. The phenolic content decreased during the processing to jams, and storage in almost all samples, except in black currant. Among fresh berries, the highest amount of total anthocyanins was found in bilberry (0.61 ± 0.03 %). Processing and storage caused decrease in anthocyanin content. The most ubiquitous anthocyanin aglycone was found to be cyanidin. Ellagic acid was detected in fresh and frozen black raspberries and related jams, and its content increases during thermal processing to jam. Among fresh berries, bilberry showed the strongest DPPH radical scavenging activity with an IC50 value of 0.82 mg/ml. However, frozen as well as processed berries in our study still showed comparable high values of radical scavenging activity. After 9 months of storage all investigated jams were microbiologicaly correct. Regardless of the losses in the amount of total phenolics, total anthocyanins and radical scavenging activity, frozen berries and related jams are still excellent sources of nutritional substances with antioxidant potential.
TL;DR: Although the heat treatment of garlic tended to decrease the TPC and SOD-like activity and increased DPPH RSA, garlic has significant antioxidant activity and protective effects against oxidative DNA damage regardless of processing method.
Abstract: This study describes the antioxidant activities and antigenotoxic effects of garlic extracts prepared by different processing methods. Aged-garlic extract (AGE) showed a significantly higher total phenolic content (562.6 ± 1.92 mg/100 g garlic acid equivalents) than those of raw garlic extract (RGE) or heated garlic extract (HGE). The SC50 for DPPH RSA in HGE was significantly the highest at 2.1 mg/ml. The SC50 for SOD-like activity in garlic extracts was, in decreasing order, RGE (7.3 mg/ml) > AGE (8.5 mg/ml) > HGE (9.2 mg /ml). The ED50 of AGE was the highest (19.3 μg/ml) regarding H2O2 induced DNA damage and its inhibition rate was 70.8%. The ED50 of RGE for 4-hydroxynonenal (a lipid peroxidation product) induced DNA damage was 38.6 μg/ml, followed by AGE > HGE. Although the heat treatment of garlic tended to decrease the TPC and SOD-like activity and increased DPPH RSA, garlic, in general, has significant antioxidant activity and protective effects against oxidative DNA damage regardless of processing method.
TL;DR: Young sprouts of Korean salad possess antioxidant and anticancer properties and could be used as a supplement to proper drugs, suggesting that they contribute to the antioxidant properties of the studied plants.
Abstract: The aim of this investigation was to study the antioxidant and anticancer activities of young sprouts of some traditional Korean salad plants. Total phenolics, antioxidant and anticancer activities of the methanol extracts from young sprouts of 11 salad plants were determined. The highest amount of phenolics was found in methanol extracts of Euonymus alatus (235.7 mg kg−1), followed by Hypericum ascyron (197.1 mg kg−1), Zanthoxylum piperitum (194.1 mg kg−1) and Zanthoxylum schinifolium (142.5 mg kg−1). Methanol extracts of E. alatus, H. ascyron, and Z. piperitum at 63 mg kg−1 exhibited the highest dose-depend DPPH radical scavenging activity by 91.2, 91.2 and 83.9%, respectively. According to the MTT results, the methanol extracts from Stellaria aquatica, Eleutherococcus sessilifolrus and Z. schinifolium showed the highest anticancer activities against Calu-6 (IC50 < 25.0 µgml−1) and from S. aquatica—the highest anticancer activities against SNU-601 (153.3 µgml−1), following by E. sessilifolrus (196.7 µg ml−1) and Amaranthus mangostanus (303.1 µgml−1). Total phenolics were highly correlated with the DPPH, suggesting that they contribute to the antioxidant properties of the studied plants. In conclusion: young sprouts of Korean salad possess antioxidant and anticancer properties and could be used as a supplement to proper drugs.
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that carob flour prepared in either the household or industrially is a good source of many, but not all essential nutrients, and that commercial processing of carob fruit into flour seems to affect its content of several important nutrients.
Abstract: Although the fruit of the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L. Fabaceae) is nutritious and widely available in Turkey, especially in West and South Anatolia, much remains to be learned about its nutrient composition. The main goal of our study was to determine if there are differences in the content of certain nutrients in commercially-prepared carob flour (CPCP) and domestic or home-prepared carob powder (HPCP). Sucrose was the main sugar in CPCP and HPCP. Total protein was 40% lower in CPCP than HPCP due mainly to decreases in the content of several essential amino acids. However, except for lysine in CPCP, HPCP and CPCP compared favourably to a WHO protein standard. There were large differences in terms of their content of the two essential fatty acids, linoleic and α-linolenic acid, and the linoleic acid/α-linolenic acid ratio was 3.6 for CPCP, and 6.1 for HPCP. Manganese and iron were 2.5-fold higher in HPCP than CPCP. This study demonstrates that carob flour prepared in either the household or industrially is a good source of many, but not all essential nutrients, and that commercial processing of carob fruit into flour seems to affect its content of several important nutrients.
TL;DR: Kañiwa may offer an alternative to traditional cereals as a health-promoting food ingredient and have good functional properties, such as degree of gelatinization, sectional expansion index and water solubility index.
Abstract: Cereals provide a good source of dietary fibre and other important compounds with nutritional potential, such as phenolic compounds, antioxidants, minerals and vitamins. Although native Andean cereals are known to have high nutritional value, their minor components have not been studied thoroughly. In this study, two varieties of a native Andean crop, kaniwa (Chenopodium pallidicaule), were investigated as sources of dietary fibre and specific antioxidant compounds. Two products, an extrudate and bran, were also prepared and their functional properties and bioactive compounds were determined. Both varieties were rich in total dietary fibre and lignin, and the phenolic components analyzed had high antioxidant activity. The extrudates had good functional properties, such as degree of gelatinization, sectional expansion index and water solubility index; the bran was high in bioactive compounds, such as total phenolics. In conclusion, kaniwa may offer an alternative to traditional cereals as a health-promoting food ingredient.
TL;DR: The contents of total flavonoids of cultivated L. Barbarum leaves were much higher than those in the wild L. barbarum leaves, so cultivated barbarum Leaves are a suitable source for medicine vegetables and functional tea.
Abstract: Leaves of Lycium barbarum are widely used as medicine vegetables and functional tea in China. The main flavonoids present in the leaves were separated and identified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (LC-(APCI) MS) and ultraviolet-visible spectra with shift additives. The predominant flavonoid was identified as rutin. Leaves are the rutin-rich parts (16.03-16.33 mg/g). In the wild and cultivated L. barbarum fruits, contents of rutin were determined very low (0.09-1.38 mg/g). The contents of total flavonoids (21.25 mg/g) of cultivated L. barbarum leaves were much higher than those in the wild L. barbarum leaves (17.86 mg/g), so cultivated barbarum leaves are a suitable source for medicine vegetables and functional tea.
TL;DR: The findings show that heat processing improves bioaccessibility of β-carotene in OFSP and this was probably due to disruption of the tissue microstructure.
Abstract: Orange fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) has been identified as a good source of β-carotene but the β-carotene bioaccessibility is affected by processing. In this study, the effect of traditional heat processing methods on the microstructure and in vitro bioaccessibility of β-carotene from OFSP were investigated. Bioaccessibility was determined using simulated in vitro digestion model followed by membrane filtration to separate the micellar fraction containing bioaccessible β-carotene. Processing led to decrease in the amount of all-trans-β-carotene and increase in 13-cis-β-carotene. Processed OFSP had significantly higher (P < 0.05) bioaccessible β-carotene compared to the raw forms. Bioaccessibility varied with processing treatments in the order; raw < baked < steamed/boiled < deep fried. Light microscopy showed that the microstructure of OFSP was disrupted by the processing methods employed. The cell walls of OFSP were sloughed by the traditional heat processing methods applied. The findings show that heat processing improves bioaccessibility of β-carotene in OFSP and this was probably due to disruption of the tissue microstructure.
TL;DR: Isorhamnetin may have potential as a natural antioxidant to alternate synthetic substances as food additive with its antioxidant activity.
Abstract: In the present study, the process of separation and purification of isohamnetin from marc of sea buckthorn was obtained. The antioxidant properties of the pure isolated isorhamnetin were evaluated by the scavenging of the diphenylpicrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), iron (III) to iron (II)—reducing, and iron-chelating assays. High purity isorhamnetin (92.1%) was obtained and the results of antioxidant assays showed that isorhamnetin performed significantly compared with ascorbic acid and BHT, and the linear correlations were good in these assays. In conclusion, isorhamnetin may have potential as a natural antioxidant to alternate synthetic substances as food additive with its antioxidant activity.
TL;DR: The effect of the drying temperature on the volatile components and sensory acceptance of the Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) extract in powder was investigated and it was concluded that the spray drying temperature has an effect on the volatility of the volatile compounds losses.
Abstract: The effect of the drying temperature on the volatile components and sensory acceptance of the Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) extract in powder was investigated. The Roselle extraction was carried out by maceration with 7 L of 30% ethanol (v/v), 560 g of fresh Roselle calyces for 168 h. The Roselle extracts were spray dried at different temperatures 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200 and 210 °C, giving different outlet values about yield and final moisture. The volatile compounds in Roselle extract and dried samples were performed using needles of solid phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS HP-5890). Twenty volatile compounds were identified in the extracts among them terpenoids, esters, hydrocarbons and aldehydes. Fourteen volatile compounds were identified in the powder sample, but only ten were present in the Roselle extract. This indicates that some compounds were lost and some others were generated due to a degradation process. An acceptability sensory analysis showed that the best powder sample was the Roselle extract dehydrated using temperature between 190 °C and 200 °C (p < 0.05). There was not statistically significant difference in the pH of Roselle extracts ranging from 3.4 to 3.9. It was concluded that the spray drying temperature of the Roselle extracts has an effect on the volatile compounds losses.
TL;DR: The results indicated that F. margarita peels may be regarded as a rich source of potentially bioactive polyphenol content and exhibited the better antioxidant characteristics.
Abstract: The polyphenolic composition of two Fortunella margarita (Nagami kumquat) specimens from Greece and Egypt was investigated employing fractionation by solvent partition and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry The main groups of phenolics identified in the different fractions generated were C-glycosylated flavones, O-glycosylated flavones, C-glycosylated flavanones, O-glycosylated flavanones, flavonols, chalcones, phenolic acids and derivatives thereof The antioxidant potency of the fractions was assessed using two representative in vitro tests, including antiradical activity and hydroxyl free radical scavenging activity It was revealed that the ethyl acetate fractions from both specimens contained the higher polyphenol content and exhibited the better antioxidant characteristics The results indicated that F margarita peels may be regarded as a rich source of potentially bioactive polyphenols
TL;DR: It is suggested that geographical location, rather than the type of tomato, seems to have a more pronounced effect on carotenoid bioaccessibility from tomatoes.
Abstract: The suggested health benefits of consuming tomatoes and tomato-based products have been attributed, in part, to the carotenoids present in these foods. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were to (i) analyse carotenoid content and bioaccessibility from different tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) types namely cherry, plum, round, and certain tomatoes-on-the-vine; and (ii) determine if geographical location (Ireland vs Spain) influenced the content and bioaccessibility of carotenoids in tomatoes of the same variety. Carotenoid bioaccessibility is defined as the amount of ingested carotenoids that, after digestion, are available for absorption by intestinal cells. Differences were seen in carotenoid content and bioaccessibility between the different tomato types tested. For instance, Irish round high-lycopene tomatoes contained the greatest amounts of lycopene and lutein but lowest levels of β-carotene compared with the other Irish tomatoes. Furthermore, the content and bioaccessibility of carotenoids that were sourced from Ireland and Spain also varied greatly. Spanish tomatoes were generally superior in the content, bioaccessibility, and micelle content of carotenoids. To conclude, our findings suggest that geographical location, rather than the type of tomato, seems to have a more pronounced effect on carotenoid bioaccessibility from tomatoes.
TL;DR: Results show that a combination of different characteristics such as peptide size or hydrophobicity may be responsible of the inhibitory activity of generated peptides.
Abstract: Plant protein hydrolysates are a source of bioactive peptides. There are peptides that decrease the micellar cholesterol solubility from bile acids and therefore may reduce in vivo cholesterol absorption. The presence of these peptides in sunflower protein hydrolysates has been studied. Sunflower protein hydrolysates produced with alcalase plus flavourzyme or with pepsin plus pancreatin inhibited in some degree the cholesterol incorporation to micelles. Protein hydrolysates generated after 30 min of hydrolysis with alcalase, and after 30 min of hydrolysis with pepsin, were the inhibitoriest of the cholesterol incorporation to micelles. The average amino acid hydrophobicity of inhibitory peptides in cholesterol micelles was higher than the observed in the corresponding protein hydrolysates. This high hydrophobicity probably favours their inclusion in the lipid micelles. In vivo, this inhibition may translate in a decrease of cholesterol absorption. Reported results show that a combination of different characteristics such as peptide size or hydrophobicity may be responsible of the inhibitory activity of generated peptides.
TL;DR: Interestingly, hydrolysate cytoxicity for normal cells was minimal in comparison to cancer cells, and hydrolysates inhibited the growth of HeLa cells and C-33 at concentrations exceeding 1.25 mg/ml.
Abstract: Consumption of soybeans can reduce the risk of different types of cancer. Little is known about the effect of germination on the anticancer properties of soya. This study was done to determine if germination improves the anticancer properties of soybean protein through generation of amino acids or bioactive peptides. Soybean was germinated for 0, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 days and proteins were isolated from the seeds. Isolates with and without ethanol-soluble phytochemicals were hydrolyzed with digestive enzymes and their effect on growth in HeLa and C-33 (epidermoid cervical carcinoma) and HaCaT (non-cancerous human keratinocytes) cells were evaluated with the Alamar Blue method. Germination induced degradation of the α and α’ fractions of β-conglycinin and acid fraction of glycinin, generating low molecular weight peptides. Degrees of hydrolysis ranged from 73–77%. Hydrolysates inhibited the growth of HeLa cells and C-33 at concentrations exceeding 1.25 mg/ml. Major inhibition was observed with the hydrolysate germinated for 2 days and containing ethanolsoluble phytochemicals (IC50 2.15 and 2.27 mg/ml for HeLa and C-33, respectively). Interestingly, hydrolysate cytoxicity for normal cells was minimal in comparison to cancer cells.
TL;DR: The supplementation of guava and cashew apple fruit powders seems to be suited for wheat flour substitution and it is possible to obtain cookies with value-added food ingredient within the standards.
Abstract: Cashew apple and guava residues from fruit juice industry were prepared as dehydrated fruit powders and used at different levels of wheat flour substitution for cookies formulations. The effects of guava and cashew apple fruit powders supplementation on physicochemical and sensorial characteristics of the cookies were evaluated. The pH, fibre and protein content were significantly affected. Biscuits with 15 g and 20 g/100g cashew apple and guava fruit powders showed the highest scores for sensorial attributes, respectively. The supplementation seems to be suited for wheat flour substitution and it is possible to obtain cookies with value-added food ingredient within the standards.
TL;DR: The polar methanolic extract of the Cretan Phoenix theophrasti Gr.
Abstract: In the present study we report the chemical composition of the Cretan Phoenix theophrasti Gr. fruits, in comparison with dates, from its close relative Phoenix dactylifera L. for their nutritional value and their potential exploitation as a source of bioactive components such as phytosterols, lipids and polyphenols. The non polar dichloromethane (CH2Cl2) extract of the fruits was analysed by several techniques (TLC, CC, GC and GC-MS) and was found to consist mainly from fatty acids, hydrocarbons and phytosterols. Palmitic acid was the most abundant fatty acid, 12.49% of total saponifiables, while beta-sitosterol was the most prevalent phytosterol, 29.46% of total unsaponifiable lipid fraction. The polar methanolic extract was examined for its total phenolic content, by the Folin-Ciocalteu assay, as well as for its antioxidant activity through DPPH assay, in comparison with previous studies on the fruits of several Phoenix dactylifera varieties. This fraction was found to possess strong antioxidant activity despite its lower content of phenolic compounds in comparison with previously studied Phoenix dactylifera specimens.
TL;DR: The great variability for these attributes suggests that these selected accessions of bean having high concentrations of protein as well as macro and micro minerals with good cooking quality may be useful as parents in hybridization programs to produce bean with value-added traits.
Abstract: Screening of natural biodiversity for the better quality traits are of prime importance for quality breeding programs The objective of this investigation was to select candidate accession of bean having high concentrations of protein as well as macro and micro minerals with good cooking quality for use as parents in breeding programme for these compounds Thirty-five accessions of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L) were field grown and their seeds were analyzed for their cooking quality and nutritional composition Wide variations were observed in most of the measurements eg protein (187–262%), iron (794–1376 ppm) and hardness after cooking (465–988 Kg) suggesting that there are considerable levels of genetic diversity Across all accessions the concentration of potassium was negatively correlated with protein (r = −043, P < 005) Concentrations of protein was significantly greater in accessions VIII, XIII and XIX compared to other accessions analyzed Iron concentrations were greatest (137 ppm) in XIX and lowest (79 ppm) in XXVII Lines with less cooking time were line III, X, XXVI, XXX and XXXI Bean line XIX contains high protein (249%) with high zinc (333 ppm) and highest iron (1376 ppm), but it has high hardness after cooking (732 kg) Four clusters were computed by cluster analysis that explained quite a good variation in the traits The great variability for these attributes suggests that these selected accessions may be useful as parents in hybridization programs to produce bean with value-added traits This information was also potentially useful for pulse breeders working on the development of new varieties
TL;DR: High-performance liquid chromatography was used to study the stability of folate vitamers in two types of rye breads after baking and 16 weeks of frozen storage and a significant decrease in the content of total folates was recorded.
Abstract: High-performance liquid chromatography was used to study the stability of folate vitamers in two types of rye breads after baking and 16 weeks of frozen storage. Bread made using sourdough seeds contained less total folate (74.6 μg/100 g dry basis, expressed as folic acid) than the whole rye flour (79.8 μg/100 g dry basis) and bread leavened only with baker’s yeast (82.8 μg/100 g dry basis). Most importantly, it was generated by a significant decrease in 5-CH3-H4folate form. The baking process caused some changes in folate distribution. Storage of breads at -18°C for 2 weeks did not have a significant effect (p < 0.05) on total folates compared to the content directly after baking. After a 5-weeks storage period, a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the content of total folates was recorded and it dropped on average by 14% for both type of breads. After a longer period of storage (16 weeks), a 25% loss of folates in the bread made with baker’s yeast and a 38% loss in the bread fermented with sourdough seeds was found. Retention of 5-CH3-H4folate and 10-HCO-H2folate forms were much lower in the bread made with a sourdough addition than with baker’s yeast only.
TL;DR: Results obtained from this experiment confirm the relationship between the amount of phenolics and biological activities and polar sub-fractions of T. chamaedrys is found as effective as the positive control BHT.
Abstract: This study was designed to examine the in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities and the amount of total phenolics of the methanol extracts of Ballota rotundifolia L. and Teucrium chamaedrys C. Koch. In the case of antimicrobial activity tests, polar sub-fractions of the methanol extracts of plant species exhibited weakest antimicrobial activity when compared with the non-polar ones. While, non-polar sub-fraction of B. rotundifolia showed moderate activity against A. lwoffii, C. perfringens and the yeasts, T. chamaedrys performed excellent activity pattern against all of the tested microorganisms. The sub-fractions were also screened for their possible antioxidant activities by two complementary tests, namely DPPH free radical-scavenging and β-carotene/linoleic acid assays. Non-polar extracts of the plant species remained inactive in both test systems. On the other hand polar extracts showed remarkable antioxidant activities. In DPPH system, free radical scavenging effect of T. chamaedrys was measured as 18.00 ± 1.42 µg.mg−1. It is extremely important to point out that, polar sub-fraction of T. chamaedrys is found as effective as the positive control BHT. Non-polar sub-fraction of T. chamaedrys found to have the highest total phenolic amount (97.12 ± 1.28 μg/mg). Results obtained from this experiment confirm the relationship between the amount of phenolics and biological activities.