Effects of phenolic acids on human phenolsulfotransferases in relation to their antioxidant activity

Sulfate conjugation by phenolsulfotransferase (PST) enzyme is an important process in the detoxification of xenobiotics and endogenous compounds. There are two forms of PST that are specific for the sulfation of small phenols (PST-P) and monoamines (PST-M). Phenoilc acids have been reported to have important biological and pharmacological properties and may have benefits to human health. In the present study, human platelets were used as a model to investigate the influence of 13 phenolic acids on human PST activity and to evaluate the relationship to their antioxidant activity. The results showed that chlorogenic acid, syringic acid, protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid, sinapic acid, and caffeic acid significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited the activities of both forms of PST by 21-30% at a concentration of 6.7 microM. The activity of PST-P was enhanced (p < 0.05) by p-hydroxybenzoic acid, gallic acid, gentisic acid, o-coumaric acid, p-coumaric acid, and m-coumaric acid at a concentration of 6.7 microM, whereas the activity of PST-M was enhanced by gentisic acid, gallic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and ferulic acid. The phenolic acids exhibited antioxidant activity as determined by the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assay, especially gallic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, gentisic acid, and coumaric acid, which had strong activity. The overall effect of phenolic acids tested on the activity of PST-P and PST-M was well correlated to their antioxidant activity of ORAC value (r = 0.71, p < 0.01; and r = 0.66, p < 0.01). These observations suggest that antioxidant phenolic acids might alter sulfate conjugation.     

Determination of free and total phenolic acids in plant-derived foods by HPLC with diode-array detection

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with diode-array detection (DAD) was used to identify and quantify free and total phenolic acids (m-hydroxybenzoic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, protocatechuic acid, gallic acid, vanillic acid, syringic acid, o-coumaric acid, m-coumaric acid, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, sinapic acid, chlorogenic acid, and ellagic acid) in plant foods. Free phenolic acids were extracted with a mixture of methanol and 10% acetic acid. Bound phenolic acids were liberated using first alkaline and then acid hydrolysis followed by extraction with diethyl ether/ethyl acetate (1:1). All fractions were quantified separately by HPLC. After HPLC quantification, results of alkali and acid hydrolysates were calculated to represent total phenolic acids. Ellagic acid was quantified separately after long (20 h) acid hydrolysis. The methods developed were effective for the determination of phenolic acids in plant foods. DAD response was linear for all phenolic acids within the ranges evaluated, with correlation coefficients exceeding 0.999. Coefficients of variation for 4-8 sample replicates were consistently below 10%. Recovery tests of phenolic acids were performed for every hydrolysis condition using several samples. Recoveries were generally good (mean >90%) with the exceptions of gallic acid and, in some cases, caffeic acid samples.     

Phenolic acid profiles in some small berries

The composition of phenolic acids in several small berries grown in Northeastern Poland, namely, low-bush blueberries, black mulberries, European juneberries, black currants, fruits of blue-berried honeysuckle, and blackberries, was determined by gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometry (MS). The total content of phenolic acids, identified by GC-MS, ranged from 2845.8 +/- 141.0 (black mulberries) to 5418.2 +/- 228.0 (blue-berried honeysuckle). Twenty phenolic acids were identified in the berries. Of these, hydroxycaffeic, m- and p-coumaric, and 3,4-dimethoxycinnamic acids were the major phenolic acids in blackberries and blueberries, m-coumaric acid was the major phenolic acid in blue-berried honeysuckle and black currant fruits, while salicylic, caffeic, and m- and p-coumaric acids were the predominant phenolic acids in European juneberries. Syringic and veratric acids were detected only in blueberries, while p-hydroxybenzoic and sinapic acids were present only in black currants and o-coumaric acid was present in blueberries and black mulberries. The phenolic acids liberated from esters and glycosidic bonds were the major fractions of phenolic acids in the berries.     

Free radical scavenging properties and phenolic content of Chinese black-grained wheat

Free radical scavenging properties and phenolic content of extracts from a novel Chinese black-grained wheat were evaluated for comparison with selected wheat controls. Extracts of bran and whole meal were compared for their scavenging activities against the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical. The total phenolic content and phenolic acid levels were determined using colorimetric and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods, respectively. There were significant differences in radical scavenging activities and phenolic contents among bran or whole meal samples of Chinese black-grained wheat and selected wheat controls. Chinese black-grained wheat had the strongest scavenging activity and the highest total phenolic content among the wheat samples. The scavenging activity and total phenolic content of wheat bran was generally twice as high as that of whole meal. A positive correlation was found between DPPH radical scavenging activity and total phenolic content of bran (R = 0.86) and whole meal (R = 0.96). In addition, HPLC analysis detected the presence of gallic, p-hydroxybenzoic, caffeic, syringic, p-coumaric, vanillic, gentisic, o-coumaric acid, and ferulic acids in wheat bran. Ferulic acid content was highest among the phenolic acids. Chinese black-grained wheat may be considered as a potential source of natural antioxidants given its high free radical scavenging ability and phenolic content. Additional research is needed to further investigate other phenolic compounds and evaluate their contribution to the antioxidant activity in order to understand the nutraceutical value of the novel black-grained wheat genotype.     

Inhibitory effect of phenolic acids on the proliferation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in relation to their antioxidant activity

Obesity is an important topic in the world of public health and preventive medicine. Inhibition of preadipocyte proliferation plays an important role in the mechanisms of proposed antiobesity. In this in vitro study, the inhibitory effect of phenolic acids on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes was evaluated, and a relationship analysis was then conducted. The results showed that the addition of phenolic acids to the growth medium decreased the cell population growth of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The IC50 values of chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, o-coumaric acid and m-coumaric acid on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were 72.3, 43.3, 48.2, and 49.2 microM, respectively. A relationship analysis indicated that there is a significant linear correlation between the influence of phenolic acids on cell population growth and their antioxidant activity (r = 0.77, p < 0.01). The cell cycle assay indicated that the treatment of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes with chlorogenic acid, o-coumaric acid, and m-coumaric acid caused cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase. Gallic acid did not affect the cell cycle profile; however, it increased the number of apoptotic cells (sub-G1 phase) in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-propidium iodide (PI) apoptosis flow cytometric assay showed that gallic acid increased the number of early apoptotic (annexin V-FITC+/PI-) and late apoptotic cells (annexin V-FITC+/PI+) but not necrotic cells (annexin V-FITC-/PI+). The treatment of cells with gallic acid caused the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (delta psi(m)). These results indicate that the inhibition of preadipocyte population growth by some phenolic acids might have further implication in in vivo antiobesity effects.     

Identification of phenolics for control of Aspergillus flavus using Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a model target-gene bioassay

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was used in a high-throughput bioassay to identify phenolic agents for control of the aflatoxigenic fungus Aspergillus flavus. Veratraldehyde, 1, cinnamic acid, 5, and the respective benzoic acid derivatives vanillin, 2, vanillic acid, 3, and vanillylacetone, 4, and cinnamic acid derivatives o-coumaric acid, 6, m-coumaric acid, 7, and p-coumaric acid, 8, showed significant antifungal activities (from highest to lowest, 2, 5 > 1 > 6, 7 > 4 > 3, 8) in the yeast system, with caffeic acid, 9, having little to no effect. Antifungal activity levels against A. flavus were similar. This similarity in antifungal activity demonstrated the usefulness of the S. cerevisiae bioassay for screening antifungal compounds. Assays using deletion mutants of yeast identified signal transduction and antioxidative stress response genes important to fungal tolerance. Targeting the antioxidative stress response system with certain compounds (e.g., 4) in combination with strobilurin fungicides had a synergistic effect against both fungi.     

Separation, characterization, and quantitation of phenolic acids in a little-known blueberry (Vaccinium arctostaphylos L.) fruit by HPLC-MS

The aim of this study was the qualitative and quantitative determination of free, ester, glycoside, and ester-bound phenolic acids in the blueberry (Vaccinium arctostaphylos L.) fruit. A method for the determination of the profile of phenolic acids of four different phenolic fractions in the fruit was developed using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). Thirteen compounds (gallic, protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic, m-hydroxybenzoic, gentisic, chlorogenic, p-coumaric, caffeic, ferulic, syringic, sinapic, salicylic, and trans-cinnamic acids) were identified and quantified in the berry. These experimental results showed that the predominant phenolic acid in the fruit of V. arctostaphylos is caffeic acid in free and insoluble ester-bound forms and p-coumaric acid in soluble ester and glycoside forms. Seven phenolic acids were identified as hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives (HBAs) and four as hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives (HCAs). Total content of HBAs and HCAs in the four phenolic fractions constituted 30.1 and 69.9% of the free, 27.9 and 72.1% of the ester, 24.7 and 75.3% of the glycoside, and 51.7 and 48.3% of the ester-bound forms, respectively. Total phenolics as the sum of individual phenolic acids identified is 698.5 ng/g of fresh weight (fw) for the free, 3399.2 ng/g of fw for the ester, 3522.1 ng/g of fw for the glycoside, and 3671.6 ng/g of fw for the ester-bound phenolic fractions. The present results were compared with reported levels of phenolic acids in the fruits of different Vaccinium species. These data suggest that the fruit can be considered as a potentially good dietary source of phenolic acids.     

Comparison of antioxidant activity, anthocyanins, carotenoids, and phenolics of three native fresh and sun-dried date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) varieties grown in Oman

Fresh and sun-dried dates of three native varieties from Oman, namely, Fard, Khasab, and Khalas, were examined for their antioxidant activity and total contents of anthocyanins, carotenoids, and phenolics, as well as free and bound phenolic acids. All results are expressed as mean value +/- standard deviation (n = 3) on a fresh weight basis. Fresh date varieties were found to be a good source of antioxidants (11687-20604 micromol of Trolox equiv/g), total contents of anthocyanins (0.24-1.52 mg of cyanidin 3-glucoside equiv/100 g), carotenoids (1.31-3.03 mg/100 g), phenolics (134-280 mg of ferulic acid equiv/100 g), free phenolic acids (2.61-12.27 mg/100 g), and bound phenolic acids (6.84-30.25 mg/100 g). A significant (p < 0.05) amount of antioxidants and carotenoids was lost after sun-drying of dates, whereas the total content of phenolics and free and bound phenolic acids increased significantly (p < 0.05). Anthocyanins were detected only in fresh dates. Date varieties had different levels and patterns of phenolic acids. Four free phenolic acids (protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid, syringic acid, and ferulic acid) and nine bound phenolic acids (gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and o-coumaric acid) were tentatively identified. Of the date varieties studied, Khalas, which is considered to be premium quality, had higher antioxidant activity, total carotenoids, and bound phenolic acids than other varieties. These results suggest that all date varieties serve as a good source of natural antioxidants and could potentially be considered as a functional food or functional food ingredient, although some of their antioxidant constituents are lost during sun-drying.     

Characterization of the p-coumaric acid decarboxylase from Lactobacillus plantarum CECT 748(T)

It was previously reported that cell cultures from Lactobacillus plantarum CECT 748 (T) were able to decarboxylate phenolic acids, such as p-coumaric, m-coumaric, caffeic, ferulic, gallic, and protocatechuic acid. The p-coumaric acid decarboxylase (PDC) from this strain has been overexpressed and purified. This PDC differs at its C-terminal end when compared to the previously reported PDC from L. plantarum LPCHL2. Because the C-terminal region of PDC is involved in enzymatic activity, especially in substrate activity, it was decided to biochemically characterize the PDC from L. plantarum CECT 748 (T). Contrarily to L. plantarum LPCHL2 PDC, the recombinant PDC from L. plantarum CECT 748 (T) is a heat-labile enzyme, showing optimal activity at 22 degrees C. This PDC is able to decarboxylate exclusively the hydroxycinnamic acids p-coumaric, caffeic, and ferulic acids. Kinetic analysis showed that the enzyme has a 14-fold higher K(M) value for p-coumaric and caffeic acids than for ferulic acid. PDC catalyzes the formation of the corresponding 4-vinyl derivatives (vinylphenol and vinylguaiacol) from p-coumaric and ferulic acids, respectively, which are valuable food additives that have been approved as flavoring agents. The biochemical characteristics showed by L. plantarum PDC should be taken into account for its potential use in the food-processing industry.     

The phenolic acid content of cashew leaves (Anacardium occidentale L.) and of the associated humus layer,Senegal

Phenolic acid content was studied in NaOH- and water-extracts from cashew leaves and from the associated humus profile. Free and bound forms of water-soluble phenolic acids were evaluated separately. Phenolic acid composition in the humus layers is to a high degree determined by the phenolic substances inherited from the leaves. Alkali- and water-extracts were dominated by gallic acid, because of the high contents of hydrolisable gallotannin in cashew leaves. Gallic, protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic, cinnamic, p-coumaric and ferulic acids were derived from the leaves, whereas vanillic acid only occurred in the soil. Considerable proportions of the total phenolic acids are water-soluble and lost by leaching from the humus layers.     

Joint action of benzoxazinone derivatives and phenolic acids

The joint action of binary and ternary mixtures of benzoxazinone derivatives and phenolic acids was studied using the additive dose model (ADM) as reference model. The activity of fixed-ratio mixtures of phenolic acids [ferulic acid (FA), p-coumaric acid (CA), vanillic acid (VA), and p-hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA)] and benzoxazinone derivatives [2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one (DIMBOA), 6-methoxybenzoxazolin-2-one (MBOA), benzoxazolin-2-one (BOA), 2-aminophenol (AP), and N-(2-hydroxyphenyl)acetamide (HPAA)] on Lolium perenne and Myosotis arvensis root growth was assessed in Petri dishes. Root length was recorded 6 days after seeding, and EC(50) and EC(90) values were estimated using nonlinear regression analyses. The benzoxazinone derivatives were found to be more phytotoxic than the phenolic acids, particularly on M. arvensis. Binary mixtures of phenolic acids responded predominantly additively on both plant species. Deviations from additivity were species-specific with antagonistic responses on L. perenne and synergistic responses on M. arvensis. Similarly, binary mixtures of benzoxazinone derivatives also followed the ADM, although synergistic responses were observed for BOA + AP and BOA + HPAA. Binary and ternary mixtures of benzoxazinone derivatives and phenolic acids responded primarily antagonistically; however, a significant synergistic performance was observed with DIMBOA + FA and DIMBOA + VA on L. perenne. These results do not support the assumption that allelopathic effects of wheat can be attributed to synergistic effects of otherwise weakly active allelopathic compounds, and it is suggested that future research be directed toward identifying and studying the effects of other potential allelochemicals including the degradation products of the most abundant wheat allelochemicals.     

High-performance liquid chromatography determination of phenolic constituents in 17 varieties of cowpeas

Seventeen varieties of cowpeas grown in Arkansas were analyzed for their phenolic constituents using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Protocatechuic acid was identified as the major phenolic acid present in esterified forms. The amount of protocatechuic acid increased from trace-3.6 to 9.3-92.7 mg/100 g of flour in the 17 varieties of cowpeas after hydrolysis. Six other phenolic acids, including, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, 2,4-dimethoxybenzoic acid, and cinnamic acid, were also identified. These phenolic acids were evenly distributed mainly in free acid forms at <7 mg/100 g of flour. Total phenolic contents determined using Folin-Ciocalteu's reagent were largely different among the 17 varieties, ranging from 34.6 to 376.6 mg/100 g of flour. A comparison of the HPLC chromatograms of the 17 cowpea phenolics before and after alkali hydrolysis indicated the conversion of a pattern with evenly distributed peaks to one with a single major peak for protocatechuic acid, suggesting that the chromatograms before hydrolysis better represent the identities of the cowpea varieties.     

Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of extracts from ultrasonic treatment of Satsuma Mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc.) peels

Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was used to extract phenolic compounds from Satsuma mandarin ( Citrus unshiu Marc.) peels (SMP), and maceration extraction (ME) was used as a control. The effects of ultrasonic time (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 min), temperature (15, 30, and 40 degrees C), and ultrasonic power (3.2, 8, 30, and 56 W) on phenolic compounds were investigated. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with a photodiode array (PDA) detector was used for the analysis of phenolic acids after alkaline hydrolysis (bound phenolic acids) and flavanone glycosides. The contents of seven phenolic acids (caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, sinapic acid, protocatechuic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and vanillic acid) and two flavanone glycosides (narirutin and hesperidin) in extracts obtained by ultrasonic treatment were significantly higher than in extracts obtained by the maceration method. Moreover, the contents of extracts increased as both treatment time and temperature increased. Ultrasonic power had a positive effect on the contents of extracts. However, the phenolic acids may be degraded by ultrasound at higher temperature for a long time. For example, after ultrasonic treatment at 40 degrees C for 20 min, the contents of caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and p-hydroxybenzoic acid decreased by 48.90, 44.20, 48.23, and 35.33%, respectively. The interaction of ultrasonic parameters probably has a complex effect on the extracts. A linear relationship was observed between Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) values and total phenolic contents (TPC); the correlation coefficient, R(2), is 0.8288 at 15 degrees C, 0.7706 at 30 degrees C, and 0.8626 at 40 degrees C, respectively. The data indicated that SMPs were rich sources of antioxidants. Furthermore, UAE techniques should be carefully used to enhance the yields of phenolic acids from SMPs.     

Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of kernels and shells of Mexican pecan (Carya illinoinensis)

The phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of pecan kernels and shells cultivated in three regions of the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, were analyzed. High concentrations of total extractable phenolics, flavonoids, and proanthocyanidins were found in kernels, and 5-20-fold higher concentrations were found in shells. Their concentrations were significantly affected by the growing region. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by ORAC, DPPH?, HO?, and ABTS?-- scavenging (TAC) methods. Antioxidant activity was strongly correlated with the concentrations of phenolic compounds. A strong correlation existed among the results obtained using these four methods. Five individual phenolic compounds were positively identified and quantified in kernels: ellagic, gallic, protocatechuic, and p-hydroxybenzoic acids and catechin. Only ellagic and gallic acids could be identified in shells. Seven phenolic compounds were tentatively identified in kernels by means of MS and UV spectral comparison, namely, protocatechuic aldehyde, (epi)gallocatechin, one gallic acid-glucose conjugate, three ellagic acid derivatives, and valoneic acid dilactone.     

Separation,characterization, and quantitation of benzoic and phenolic antioxidants in American cranberry fruit by GC-MS

A GC-MS method is reported for separation and characterization of widely different amounts of benzoic and phenolic acids as their trimethylsilyl derivatives simultaneously in cranberry. Fifteen benzoic and phenolic acids (benzoic, o-hydroxybenzoic, cinnamic, m-hydroxybenzoic, p-hydroxybenzoic, p-hydroxyphenyl acetic, phthalic, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic, vanillic, o-hydroxycinnamic, 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic, p-coumaric, ferulic, caffeic, and sinapic acid) were identified in cranberry fruit in their free and bound forms on the basis of GC retention times and simultaneously recorded mass spectra. Except for benzoic, p-coumaric, caffeic, ferulic, and sinapic acids, 10 other phenolic acids identified have not been reported in cranberry before. The quantitation of the identified components was based on total ion current (TIC). The experimental results indicated cranberry fruit contains a high content of benzoic and phenolic acids (5.7 g/kg fresh weight) with benzoic acid being the most abundant (4.7 g/kg fresh weight). The next most abundant are p-coumaric (0.25 g/kg fresh weight) and sinapic (0.21 g/kg fresh weight) acid. Benzoic and phenolic acids occur mainly in bound forms and only about 10% occurs as free acid.     

Antioxidant and antiradical activities in extracts of hazelnut kernel (Corylus avellana L.) and hazelnut green leafy cover

Phenolic compounds in the aqueous systems were extracted, from hazelnut kernel (HK) and hazelnut green leafy cover (HGLC), with 80% (v/v) ethanol (HKe and HGLCe) or 80% (v/v) acetone (HKa and HGLCa). The extracts were examined for their phenolic and condensed tannin contents and phenolic acid profiles (free and esterified fractions) as well as antioxidant and antiradical activities by total antioxidant activity (TAA), antioxidant activity in a beta-carotene-linoleate model system, scavenging of DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical, and reducing power. Significant differences (p < 0.05) in the contents of total phenolics, condensed tannins, and TAA existed among the extracts that were examined. HGLCa extract had the highest content of total phenolics (201 mg of catechin equivalents/g of extract), condensed tannins (542 mg of catechin equivalents/g of extract), and TAA (1.29 mmol of Trolox equivalents/g of extract) followed by HGLCe, HKa, and HKe extracts, respectively. Five phenolic acids (gallic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and sinapic acid) were tentatively identified and quantified, among which gallic acid was the most abundant in both free and esterified forms. The order of antioxidant activity in a beta-carotene-linoleate model system, the scavenging effect on DPPH radical, and the reducing power in all extracts were in the following order: HGLCa > HGLCe > HKa > HKe. These results suggest that both 80% ethanol and acetone are capable of extracting phenolics, but 80% acetone was a more effective solvent for the extraction process. HGLC exhibited stronger antioxidant and antiradical activities than HK itself in both extracts and could potentially be considered as an inexpensive source of natural antioxidants.     

Effect of far-infrared irradiation on the antioxidant activity of defatted sesame meal extracts

To determine the effect of far-infrared (FIR) irradiation on the antioxidant activities of sesame meal, half of sesame seeds were FIR-irradiated and then oil was extracted from the seeds. The resulting defatted sesame meal (DSM) was extracted with methanol, and the antioxidant activities of methanolic extract were determined. FIR irradiation of sesame seeds for 30 min increased the total phenol content from 34.0 to 59.0 muM and radical scavenging activity of DSM extracts from 26.40 to 68.76%. The induction time of lipid oxidation of oil added to extracts was also retarded from 0.82 to 0.96 h. According to the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, several low molecular weight phenolic compounds, such as p-hydroxy benzoic acid, vanillic acid, p-coumaric acid, isoferulic acid, and o-coumaric acid, were frequently detected in FIR-irradiated DSM extracts as compared to unirradiated ones. These results indicated that FIR irradiation of sesame seeds increased the antioxidant activity of methanolic extracts of DSM.     

Uncommonly high levels of 3-deoxyanthocyanidins and antioxidant capacity in the leaf sheaths of dye sorghum

Extracts from leaf sheaths of farmers' varieties of dye sorghum cultivated and used in Benin as a source of biocolorings were analyzed for their anthocyanidin and phenolic contents, as well as their antioxidant capacity. The aim was to identify and quantify the types of anthocyanin and phenolic acids. The total anthocyanin content of the leaf sheaths ranged from 13.7 to 35.5 mg of cyanidin 3-glucoside equivalent/g of dry matter (DM), with an average of 27.0 mg/g. The total anthocyanin content is 90 times higher than levels usually reported in fruits and vegetables. Anthocyanin consisted essentially of apigeninidin and luteolinidin, two 3-deoxyanthocyanidins with many applications in food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. The apigeninidin content of the leaf sheaths was 30 times higher than that in cereal bran and ranged from 14.7 to 45.8 mg/g, with an average of 31.3 mg/g. The amount of luteolinidin ranged from 0.4 to 2.4 mg/g, with a mean of 1.2 mg/g. The total phenolic content expressed as gallic acid equivalent averaged 95.5 mg/g. The free phenolic acids identified were benzoic acid, p-coumaric acid, and o-coumaric acid at amounts of 801.4, 681.6, and 67.9 μg/g, respectively. The leaf sheaths of dye sorghum have an antioxidant capacity [3.8-5.6 mmol of Trolox equivalent (TE)/g of DM] much higher than that reported for cereal bran and fruits and vegetables.     

Antioxidant phytochemicals in hazelnut kernel (Corylus avellana L.) and hazelnut byproducts

Antioxidant efficacies of ethanol extracts of defatted raw hazelnut kernel and hazelnut byproducts (skin, hard shell, green leafy cover, and tree leaf) were evaluated by monitoring total antioxidant activity (TAA) and free-radical scavenging activity tests [hydrogen peroxide, superoxide radical, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical], together with antioxidant activity in a beta-carotene-linoleate model system, inhibition of oxidation of human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and inhibition of strand breaking of supercoiled deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). In addition, yield, content of phenolics, and phenolic acid profiles (free and esterified fractions) were also examined. Generally, extracts of hazelnut byproducts (skin, hard shell, green leafy cover, and tree leaf) exhibited stronger activities than hazelnut kernel at all concentrations tested. Hazelnut extracts examined showed different antioxidative efficacies, expected to be related to the presence of phenolic compounds. Among samples, extracts of hazelnut skin, in general, showed superior antioxidative efficacy and higher phenolic content as compared to other extracts. Five phenolic acids (gallic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and sinapic acid) were tentatively identified and quantified (both free and esterified forms). Extracts contained different levels of phenolic acids. These results suggest that hazelnut byproducts could potentially be considered as an excellent and readily available source of natural antioxidants.