Antioxidant activity, cytotoxicity, and DNA information of Glossogyne tenuifolia

This study investigates the antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity of Glossogyne tenuifolia extract on various cancer cell lines. The 5.8s DNA of G. tenuifolia was isolated, and the species of this plant was confirmed by NCBI's DNA database. G. tenuifolia was then extracted with ethanol and separated into several fractions using the partition procedure with water, n-butanol, and ethyl acetate (EA). Among these, the EA fraction most significantly affected the activity of DPPH(*) and superoxide anion scavenging. Additionally, only the EA fraction exhibited cytotoxicity on breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) and liver cancer cells (Hep G2 and Hep 3B). Next, the EA fraction was further separated by column chromatography, and 15 fractions were obtained. Three effective components were isolated and identified separately from the active fractions: oleanolic acid (OA) from fraction 6, luteolin from fractions 8-10, and luteolin-7-glucoside from fraction 12. The test of these three compounds on scavenging activity of DPPH(*) and superoxide anion indicates that luteolin had the highest antioxidant activity, whereas the effect of OA was negligible. Additionally, a synergistic effect between luteolin and luteolin-7-glucoside was observed. Kick-out experiments showed that the activities were vanished or decreased. Especially on MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells, the cytotoxicity completely disappeared when luteolin was eliminated from fractions 8-10. These findings demonstrate that luteolin plays a crucial role in the inhibition of the growth of hepatoma cancer cell lines. Fraction 3, which did not contain luteolin, luteolin-7-glucoside, and oleanolic acid, had cytotoxicity on MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, Hep G2, Hep 3B, and A549, which implies that this fraction contained some other effective ingredients and requires further study. The investigation is currently underway in our laboratory.     

Serotonin derivatives, major safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) seed antioxidants, inhibit low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

The effects of defatted safflower seed extract and its phenolic constituents, serotonin derivatives, on atherosclerosis were studied. Ethanol-ethyl acetate extract of safflower seeds (SSE) inhibited low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation induced in vitro by an azo-containing free-radical initiator V70 or copper ions. Two serotonin derivatives [N-(p-coumaroyl)serotonin, CS; N-feruloylserotonin, FS] and their glucosides were identified as the major phenolic constituents of the extract. The study with chemically synthesized materials revealed that a majority of the antioxidative activity of SSE was attributable to the aglycones of these two serotonin derivatives. Orally administered CS and FS suppressed CuSO(4)-induced plasma oxidation ex vivo. Long-term (15 week) dietary supplementation of SSE (1.0 wt %/wt) and synthetic serotonin derivatives (0.2-0.4%) significantly reduced the atherosclerotic lesion area in the aortic sinus of apolipoprotein E-deficient mice (29.2-79.7% reduction). The plasma level of both lipid peroxides and anti-oxidized LDL autoantibody titers decreased concomitantly with the reduction of lesion formation. Serotonin derivatives were detected as both intact and conjugated metabolites in the plasma of C57BL/6J mice fed on 1.0% SSE diet. These findings demonstrate that serotonin derivatives of SSE are absorbed into circulation and attenuate atherosclerotic lesion development possibly because of the inhibition of oxidized LDL formation through their strong antioxidative activity.     

Antioxidant activity of the main phenolic compounds isolated from hot pepper fruit (Capsicum annuum L)

Four cultivars (Bronowicka Ostra, Cyklon, Tornado, and Tajfun) of pepper fruit Capsicum annuum L. were studied for phenolics contents and antioxidant activity. Two fractions of phenolics, flavonoids (with phenolic acids) and capsaicinoids, were isolated from the pericarp of pepper fruit at two growth stages (green and red) and were studied for their antioxidant capacity. Both fractions from red fruits had higher activities than those from green fruits. A comparison of the capsaicinoid fraction with the flavonoid and phenolic acid fraction from red fruit with respect to their antioxidant activity gave similar results. Phenolic compounds were separated and quantified by LC and HPLC. Contents of nine compounds were determined in the flavonoid and phenolic acid fraction: trans-p-feruloyl-beta-d-glucopyranoside, trans-p-sinapoyl-beta-d-glucopyranoside, quercetin 3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranoside-7-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside, trans-p-ferulyl alcohol-4-O-[6-(2-methyl-3-hydroxypropionyl] glucopyranoside, luteolin 6-C-beta-d-glucopyranoside-8-C-alpha-l-arabinopyranoside, apigenin 6-C-beta-d-glucopyranoside-8-C-alpha-l-arabinopyranoside, lutoeolin 7-O-[2-(beta-d-apiofuranosyl)-beta-d-glucopyranoside], quercetin 3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranoside, and luteolin 7-O-[2-(beta-d-apiofuranosyl)-4-(beta-d-glucopyranosyl)-6-malonyl]-beta-d-glucopyranoside. The main compounds of this fraction isolated from red pepper were sinapoyl and feruloyl glycosides, and the main compound from green pepper was quercetin-3-O-l-rhamnoside. Capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin were the main components of the capsaicinoid fraction. A high correlation was found between the content of these compounds and the antioxidant activity of both fractions. Their antioxidant activities were elucidated by heat-induced oxidation in the beta-carotene-linoleic acid system and the antiradical activity by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) decoloration test. The highest antioxidant activity in the beta-carotene-linoleic acid system was found for trans-p-sinapoyl-beta-d-glucopyranoside, which was lower than the activity of free sinapic acid. Quercetin 3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranoside had the highest antiradical activity in the DPPH system, which was comparable to the activity of quercetin. The activities of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin were similar to that of trans-p-feruloyl-beta-d-glucopyranoside in the DPPH model system.     

化感水稻6173内生真菌发酵产物对水稻和稗草苗期生长及生理生化特性的影响

为了考察化感水稻品系6173内生真菌的生物学功能,采用6173分离出的12株内生真菌对非化感水稻93067和稗草进行种子萌发和生长试验,以常规萌发生长的水稻及稗草幼苗为对照,研究真菌发酵产物对两者萌发率、茎长、鲜重和相关酶活性变化的影响。结果表明,12株内生真菌中,7株真菌的发酵产物对水稻萌发起促进作用,11株真菌的发酵产物可促进水稻幼苗生长,其中塔宾曲霉和粘红酵母发酵液效果极显著。然而11株真菌的发酵产物对稗草萌发具有抑制作用,燕麦镰刀菌发酵液抑制效果极显著;试验组中塔宾曲霉、粘红酵母发酵产物均显著抑制了稗草的生长。初步筛选促水稻生长和抑制稗草作用明显的燕麦镰刀菌、塔宾曲霉和粘红酵母,其发酵产物都能显著降低稗草种子的脂肪酶活性。与对照相比,萌发24 h时,粘红酵母处理稗草种子可使脂肪酶活性下降82.61%;萌发96 h时,燕麦镰刀菌和粘红酵母菌处理稗草种子可使脂肪酶活性下降30.88%和36.50%。此外,塔宾曲霉和燕麦镰刀菌发酵产物能够不同程度地提高水稻幼苗的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性;燕麦镰刀菌能降低稗草幼苗的SOD、POD活性;同时塔宾曲霉能显著降低稗草幼苗POD活性。综上,化感水稻6173中分离出的内生真菌的发酵产物对普通水稻品种促生长和抑制作用并存,但对稗草主要是抑制作用,其作用可能主要通过抑制脂肪酶活性和抗氧化途径实现。本研究结果为农业生产中生物农药和微生物肥料的研发奠定了理论基础。     

叶面喷施锌硒肥对谷子抗氧化酶活性及籽粒锌硒含量的影响

  【目的】   研究叶面喷施锌、硒肥对谷子叶片抗氧化酶活性以及锌、硒在籽粒积累的影响,为谷子生产中合理施用锌、硒肥以及开发富锌富硒谷子提供参考。   【方法】   在2016—2017年,以冀谷21为试材进行田间小区试验。分别设3个锌水平 (0、2.25、4.50 kg/hm2) 和3个硒水平 (0、30、60 g/hm2),共组成7个处理分别为对照 (Zn0Se0)、单施低硒 (Zn0Se1)、单施低锌 (Zn1Se0)、低锌低硒 (Zn1Se1)、低锌高硒 (Zn1Se2)、高锌低硒 (Zn2Se1)、高锌高硒 (Zn2Se2),随机区组排列。分析了谷子叶片中超氧化物歧化酶 (SOD)、过氧化物酶 (POD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶 (GSH-Px) 的活性,籽粒锌硒含量以及谷子产量。   【结果】   喷施锌、硒对叶片SOD、POD和GSH-Px活性影响达到显著或极显著水平。在低锌 (2.25 kg/hm2) 水平下,随着硒肥施用量的提高,SOD与GSH-Px活性均呈现出先升后降的趋势,且在低锌低硒配合处理下酶活性均达到最高。在低硒 (30 g/hm2) 水平下,随着锌肥施用量增加,SOD与GSH-Px活性先升后降。高锌高硒配合不利于叶片抗氧化酶活性的提高。喷施锌、硒对籽粒锌、硒的吸收影响极显著。单施锌、单施硒可显著提高籽粒Zn、Se含量。低Zn水平下,配施低Se提高了籽粒Zn含量,配施高Se则降低Zn含量。低Se水平下,配施Zn可提高籽粒的Se含量,而高Se水平下,提高Zn水平对籽粒Se含量没有显著影响。低锌低硒 (Zn 2.25 kg/hm2、Se 30 g/hm2) 对产量提高效果最好。   【结论】   叶面喷施Zn和Se可以显著提高叶片中的抗氧化酶活性,但是同时喷施Zn和Se,需注意喷施浓度。喷施低锌低硒 (Zn 2.25 kg/hm2、Se 30 g/hm2) 有利于提高谷子叶片抗氧化酶活性、籽粒锌硒含量与产量,Se和Zn有一定的协同效应。喷施高量Zn对Se的吸收没有显著的副作用,但是高锌时再喷施高Se则抑制籽粒Zn的吸收。     

Separation and purification of tricin from an antioxidant product derived from bamboo leaves

Tricin (5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxyflavone) occurs in its glycosidic form in rice bran and other grass species such as wheat, barley, and maize. Tricin is considered sufficiently safe for clinical development as a cancer chemopreventive agent, therefore it can be used for cancer prevention. This study established a new method for the preparation of tricin from bamboo leaves as an alternative to traditional methods such as chemical synthesis via the Baker-Venkata-Raman reaction between acetylsyringic acid and phloroacetophenone. Tricin was prepared from an antioxidant product that was derived from bamboo leaves (AOB) by extraction with aqueous ethanol. A concentrated solution of this product was obtained and then processed by polystyrene (AB-8) resin column chromatography and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with 30% (v/v) acetonitrile in 1% (v/v) acetic acid as the mobile phase. The collected tricin-rich fraction was further sequentially purified by dialysis membrane separation and drowning-out crystallization methods. The purity was assessed by analytical HPLC with 25% (v/v) acetonitrile in 1% (v/v) acetic acid as the mobile phase, and the chemical confirmation was evaluated by infrared, mass, nuclear magnetic resonance, and ultraviolet spectroscopies. Tricin (3.09 g) was prepared from 174 g of a crude column chromatography fraction obtained from 5 L of AOB concentrated solution. The present method is appropriate for preparing quantities of pure tricin, which can be used for the quantification of tricin in various plant herbs and further for pharmaceutical/biomedical applications and evaluation.     

Occurrence and Location of Tannins in Finger Millet Grain and Antioxidant Activity of Different Grain Types

Grain of 22 finger millet types obtained from Southern and East Africa were analyzed to determine the influence of grain type on tannins, antioxidant properties, and tannin localization in the grain. Four grain types were creamy white and 18 were brown. A high proportion (80–100%) of kernels of all but two of the pigmented types stained black with the bleach test, while the light types did not stain black. There was a wide range of total phenolics, condensed tannin content, and antioxidant activity across the grain types. Light-colored grain types had much lower total phenolics and tannins relative to the pigmented types, and types that stained black with the bleach test had much higher tannin content and much higher antioxidant activity. Light microscopy revealed that kernels that stained black with the bleach test and had high tannin content had a dark-colored testa layer, indicating that the tannins were located in that layer as in sorghum. This is the first report that the bleach test can be used to detect tannin in finger millet types. The work demonstrates that occurrence of tannins in finger millet grain is a varietal property, as in sorghum.     

Inhibitory effects of plant-derived flavonoids and phenolic acids on malonaldehyde formation from ethyl arachidonate

The antioxidant activities of naturally occurring plant compounds were measured in a lipid peroxidation system consisting of ethyl arachidonate and Fenton's reagent. Inhibitory effects of 24 plant-derived flavonoids and 5 phenolic acids on malonaldehyde (MA) formation from ethyl arachidonate were examined using gas chromatography (GC) with a nitrogen-phosphorus detector (NPD). Luteolin, which showed the strongest antioxidant activity, inhibited MA formation by 94% and 97% at the levels of 0.5 and 1.0 mM, respectively. The antioxidant activities of the flavones and flavonols decreased in the following order: luteolin > rhamnetin > fisetin > kaempferol > morin > quercetin. Among the flavanones tested, hesperitin, taxifolin, and naringenin exhibited appreciable antioxidant activities (61-84%) at the 1.0 mM level. The inhibitory effect of epigallocatechin gallate (82.5% at the 1.0 mM level) was the strongest among the flavan-3-ols tested. Ferulic acid had the most potent antioxidant activity (74.6% at the 1.0 mM level) of the phenolic acids tested.     

Isolation and identification of flavonoids accumulated in proanthocyanidin-free barley

Flavonoids accumulated in proanthocyanidin-free near-isogenic lines iso ant 13, iso ant 17, and iso ant 22 of Nishinohoshi, developed by backcross breeding using a leading cultivar, Nishinohoshi, as a recurrent parent and a proanthocyanidin-free mutant as a nonrecurrent parent in Japan, were examined. A new flavanone, (2RS)-dihydrotricin 7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), known flavanones (2RS)-dihydrotricin (2) and (2RS)-homoeriodictyol (3), and known flavones chrysoeriol 7-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside] (4), chrysoeriol 7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), tricin (6), and chrysoeriol (7) were isolated from iso ant 17 of Nishinohoshi. The structures and stereochemistries of the isolated flavonoids (1-7) were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses. The concentrations of the isolated flavonoids (1-7) in iso ant 13, iso ant 17, and iso ant 22 of Nishinohoshi were similar to each other, whereas the flavonoids 1-5 and 7 were not detected in Nishinohoshi, an old Japanese cultivar, Amaginijo, and North American cultivar Harrington. The concentration of tricin (6) in Nishinohoshi was a half those in iso ant 13, iso ant 17, and iso ant 22 of Nishinohoshi. Except for iso ant 13, iso ant 17, and iso ant 22 of Nishinohoshi, the concentration of tricin (6) was highest in Nishinohoshi, followed by Amaginijo and Harrington. Thus, tricin (6), its precursor dihydrotricin (2), and its glucopyranoside, dihydrotricin 7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), as well as chrysoeriol (7) and homoeriodictyol (3) were accumulated in iso ant 13, iso ant 17, and iso ant 22 of Nishinohoshi probably by blocking at the step of flavanone 3-hydroxylase in the procyanidin biogenetic pathway, resulting in enhancement of the alternative biogenetic pathway.     

Antioxidant properties of wheat as affected by pearling

The effects of pearling on the content of phenolics and antioxidant capacity of two Canadian wheat classes, namely, Canada Western Amber Durum; Triticum turgidum L. var. durum; CWAD) and Canada Western Red Spring; Triticum aestivum L.; CWRS) were examined. The antioxidant activity of wheat phenolics was evaluated using oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), inhibition of photochemiluminescence (PCL), Rancimat method, inhibition of oxidation of low-density lipoprotein, and DNA. The phenolic composition of wheat extracts was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. The antioxidant capacity of both pearled grains and byproducts significantly decreased as the degree of pearling increased. Among grains, the unprocessed whole grains demonstrated the highest antioxidant capacity. The byproducts always demonstrated higher antioxidant capacity compared to the pearled grains, regardless of the wheat class. The resultant byproducts from 10-20% pearling possessed the highest antioxidant capacity. Processing of cereals may thus exert a significant effect on their antioxidant activity. The concentration of grain antioxidants is drastically reduced during the refining process. As phenolic compounds are concentrated in the outermost layers, the bran fractions resulting from pearling may be used as a natural source of antioxidants and as value-added products in the preparation of functional food ingredients or for enrichment of certain products.     

Chemical characterization of the avenanthramide-rich extract from oat and its effect on D-galactose-induced oxidative stress in mice

The present study was to characterize the avenanthramide-rich extract (ARE) from oat bran and assess its effect on activity and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes in D-galactose-induced oxidative-stressed mice. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis found that ARE had 6.07% N-(3',4'-dihydroxycinnamoyl)-5-hydroxyanthranilic acid (Bc), 4.37% N-(4'-hydroxycinnamoyl)-5-hydroxyanthranilic acid (Bp), and 5.36% N-(4'-hydroxy-3'-methoxycinnamoyl)-5-hydroxyanthranilic acid (Bf). In addition, ARE was also rich in vanillic acid (0.60%), caffeic acid (0.50%), syringic acid (0.54%), p-coumaric acid (0.16%), ferulic acid (0.08%), and sinapic acid (0.03%). Administration of D-galactose markedly lowered not only the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) but also the gene expression of manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD), copper-zinc SOD, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) mRNA in mice. Administration of ARE significantly reversed the D-galactose-induced oxidative stress by increasing the activity of the antioxidant enzymes and upregulating their gene expression. This was accompanied by a significant decrease in the malondialdehyde (MDA) level in mice given ARE compared to the control. The results demonstrated that ARE possessed the antioxidant activity and was effective against D-galactose-induced oxidative stress.     

谷子高产高效栽培技术效应的研究

在谷子防秕增粒技术基础上，实行谷豆立体（条带）种植，土地当量系数较大，具有较高的生态生理效应，能有效地利用当地的自然资源条件，改善谷子体内生理过程，增加叶面积、净同化率和干物质积累，提高成粒数，因而高产高效。     

Flavonoids from barrel medic (Medicago truncatula) aerial parts

Twenty-three flavonoids have been identified in the aerial parts of barrel medic, and their structures were established by spectrometric and spectroscopic (ESI-MS/MS and NMR) techniques. Eight of the identified compounds, including apigenin 7-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl-(1-->3)-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside, apigenin 7-O-[2'-O-sinapoyl-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside], apigenin 7-O-{2-O-feruloyl-[beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside}, chrysoeriol 7-O-[beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside, chrysoeriol 7-O-{2'-O-p-coumaroyl-[beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl(1-->2)-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside}, tricin 7-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl-4'-O-glucopyranoside, tricin 7-O-[2'-O-feruloyl-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside], and tricin 7-O-{2'-O-p-coumaroyl-[beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl(1-->2)-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside}, have not been reported before in the plant kingdom. Additionally, the presence of two luteolin, three apigenin, one chrysoeriol, and six tricin glycosides, previously identified in alfalfa (Medicago sativa), was confirmed in M. truncatula. Moreover, besides the above flavones, the aerial parts of this species contained three flavonols including rutin, laricitrin 3,7,5'-triglucoside, and laricitrin 3,5'-diglucoside.     

Table olives from Portugal: phenolic compounds, antioxidant potential, and antimicrobial activity

The phenolic compounds composition, antioxidant potential, and antimicrobial activity of different table olives from Portugal, namely, natural black olives "Galega", black ripe olive "Negrinha de Freixo", Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) "Azeitona de Conserva Negrinha de Freixo" olives, and "Azeitona de Conserva de Elvas e Campo Maior" Designation of Origin (DO) olives, were investigated. The analysis of phenolic compounds was performed by reversed-phase HPLC/DAD, and seven compounds were identified and quantified: hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, 5-O-caffeoilquinic acid, verbascoside, luteolin 7-O-glucoside, rutin, and luteolin. The antioxidant activity was assessed by the reducing power assay, the scavenging effect on DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radicals, and the beta-carotene linoleate model system. The antioxidant activity was correlated with the amount of phenolics found in each sample. The antimicrobial activity was screened using Gram-positive (Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae) and fungi (Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans). PDO and DO table olives revealed a wide range of antimicrobial activity. C. albicans was resistant to all the analyzed extracts.     

Effect of apple cell walls and their extracts on the activity of dietary antioxidants

The effect of dietary fiber in the form of apple cell walls and pectin extracts on natural antioxidants was examined. Cell walls (CW), isolated from apples ( Malus domestica Borkh. cv. "Pacific Rose"), were incubated with ascorbic acid (AA) or quercetin in N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine- N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) buffer (pH 6.5) at 37 degrees C for 2 h. The resulting supernatants were characterized by a ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The experiments were repeated with pectin isolated from the apple cell walls and commercial pectins and showed that polysaccharide preparations stabilized AA effectively but offered little protection against quercetin oxidation. The water-soluble components from cell walls appeared to be responsible for the observed effects of cell-wall polysaccharide preparations on antioxidant activity.     

不同含水率对谷子籽粒压缩力学性质与摩擦特性的影响

为了探明不同含水率谷子籽粒的物理机械性质,减少谷子籽粒在播种、碾米加工及储运等过程中受到压缩载荷及摩擦而产生的机械损伤,该文针对不同含水率的谷子籽粒进行压缩力学性质与摩擦特性试验。研究了谷子籽粒的挤压破碎过程,获得不同含水率谷子籽粒的力-位移（变形）曲线,破坏力、变形量及破坏能。随着含水率升高,破坏力减小,变形量和破坏能呈现先降低后升高的变化规律。同时采用赫兹接触理论,得到谷子籽粒单向表观弹性模量和许用挤压应力,结果表明二者都随含水率升高线性降低。分别测定了谷子籽粒与钢板和铝板间的滑动摩擦系数,随含水率升高,谷子与该2种材料的摩擦系数均增大,且与铝板的摩擦系数要高于钢板。根据试验结果,分别拟合得到了压缩和摩擦力学性能指标与谷子含水率的关系方程,为谷子播种、仓储、加工等装备设计及参数优化提供了基础依据。     

Effect of roasting on the antioxidant activity of coffee brews

Colombian Arabica coffee beans were roasted to give light, medium, and dark samples. Their aqueous extracts were analyzed by gel filtration chromatography, UV-visible spectrophotometry, capillary electrophoresis, and the ABTS(*)(+) assay. A progressive decrease in antioxidant activity (associated mainly with chlorogenic acids in the green beans) with degree of roasting was observed with the simultaneous generation of high (HMM) and low molecular mass (LMM) compounds possessing antioxidant activity. Maximum antioxidant activity was observed for the medium-roasted coffee; the dark coffee had a lower antioxidant activity despite the increase in color. Analysis of the gel filtration chromatography fractions showed that the LMM fraction made a greater contribution to total antioxidant activity than the HMM components.     

In vitro antioxidant and ex vivo protective activities of green and roasted coffee

The antioxidant properties of green and roasted coffee, in relation to species (Coffea arabica and Coffea robusta) and degree of roasting (light, medium, dark), were investigated. These properties were evaluated by determining the reducing substances (RS) of coffee and its antioxidant activity (AA) in vitro (model system beta-carotene-linoleic acid) and ex vivo as protective activity (PA) against rat liver cell microsome lipid peroxidation measured as TBA-reacting substances. RS of C. robustasamples were found to be significantly higher when compared to those of C. arabica samples (p < 0.001). AA for green coffee samples were slightly higher than for the corresponding roasted samples while PA was significantly lower in green coffee compared to that of all roasted samples (p < 0.001). Extraction with three different organic solvents (ethyl acetate, ethyl ether, and dichloromethane) showed that the most protective compounds are extracted from acidified dark roasted coffee solutions with ethyl acetate. The analysis of acidic extract by gel filtration chromatography (GFC) gave five fractions. Higher molecular mass fractions were found to possess antioxidant activity while the lower molecular mass fractions showed protective activity. The small amounts of these acidic, low molecular mass protective fractions isolated indicate that they contain very strong protective agents.     

Effect of processing on the phytochemical profiles and antioxidant activity of corn for production of masa, tortillas, and tortilla chips

The phytochemical profiles (total phenolics, anthocyanins, ferulic acid, carotenoids) and antioxidant activities of five types of corn (white, yellow, high carotenoid, blue, and red) processed into masa, tortillas, and tortilla chips were studied. The nixtamalization process significantly (p < 0.05) reduced total phenolics and antioxidant activities when compared to raw grains. Nixtamalized grains exhibited higher concentration of free phenolics and soluble conjugated ferulic acid and had lower concentrations of bound phenolics and ferulic acid than unprocessed grains. Among processed products, there was little difference in the phytochemical contents and antioxidant activities. Among types of corn, the highest concentrations of total phenolics, ferulic acid, and antioxidant activity were observed in the high-carotenoid genotype followed by the regular yellow counterpart. The white corn contained the lowest amount of total phenolics and antioxidant activity. The pigmented blue corn had the highest anthocyanin concentration followed by the red counterpart. These findings suggest that lime-cooking significantly reduced the phytochemical content of nixtamalized products but released phenolics and ferulic acid.