Quantification of tocopherols and tocotrienols in portuguese olive oils using HPLC with three different detection systems

Three different HPLC detection systems were compared for the determination of tocopherols and tocotrienols in olive oil: fluorescence and diode array connected in series, ultraviolet, and evaporative light scattering. The best results were obtained with the fluorescence detector, which was successfully applied in the quantification of tocopherols and tocotrienols in 18 samples of Portuguese olive oils. To support the validity of the method, the parameters evaluated were linearity, detection limits, repeatability, and recovery. All of the studied samples showed similar qualitative profiles with six identified compounds: alpha-T, beta-T, gamma-T, delta-T, alpha-T3, and gamma-T3. Alpha-tocopherol (alpha-T) was the main vitamin E isomer in all samples ranging from 93 to 260 mg/kg. The total tocopherols and tocotrienols ranged from 100 to 270 mg/kg. Geographic origin did not seem to influence the tocopherol and tocotrienol composition of the olive oils under evaluation.     

How does tomato quality (sugar, acid, and nutritional quality) vary with ripening stage, temperature, and irradiance?

The objective of this study was to understand the respective impact of ripening stage, temperature, and irradiance on seasonal variations of tomato fruit quality. During ripening, concentrations in reducing sugars, carotenes, ascorbate, rutin, and caffeic acid derivates increased, whereas those in titratable acidity, chlorophylls, and chlorogenic acid content decreased. Fruit temperature and irradiance affected final fruit composition. Sugars and acids (linked to fruit gustative quality) were not considerably modified, but secondary metabolites with antioxidant properties were very sensitive to fruit environment. Increased fruit irradiance enhanced ascorbate, lycopene, beta-carotene, rutin, and caffeic acid derivate concentrations and the disappearance of oxidized ascorbate and chlorophylls. Increasing the temperature from 21 to 26 degrees C reduced total carotene content without affecting lycopene content. A further temperature increase from 27 to 32 degrees C reduced ascorbate, lycopene, and its precursor's content, but enhanced rutin, caffeic acid derivates, and glucoside contents. The regulation by light and temperature of the biosynthesis pathways of secondary metabolites is discussed.     

Impact of fatty acyl composition and quantity of triglycerides on bioaccessibility of dietary carotenoids

A carotenoid-rich salad meal with varying amounts and types of triglycerides (TG) was digested using simulated gastric and small intestinal conditions. Xanthophylls (lutein and zeaxanthin) and carotenes (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and lycopene) in chyme and micelle fraction were quantified to determine digestive stability and efficiency of micellarization (bioaccessibility). Micellarization of lutein (+zeaxanthin) exceeded that of alpha- and beta-carotenes, which was greater than that of lycopene for all test conditions. Micellarization of carotenes, but not lutein (+zeaxanthin), was enhanced (P < 0.05) by addition of TG (2.5% v/w) to the meal and was dependent on fatty acyl chain length in structured TG (c18:1 > c8:0 > c4:0). The degree of unsaturation of c18 fatty acyl chains in TG added to the salad purée did not significantly alter the efficiency of micellarization of carotenoids. Relatively low amounts of triolein and canola oil (0.5-1%) were required for maximum micellarization of carotenes, but more oil (approximately 2.5%) was required when TG with medium chain saturated fatty acyl groups (e.g., trioctanoin and coconut oil) was added to the salad. Uptake of lutein and beta-carotene by Caco-2 cells also was examined by exposing cells to micelles generated during the simulated digestion of salad purée with either triolein or trioctanoin. Cell accumulation of beta-carotene was independent of fatty acyl composition of micelles, whereas lutein uptake was slightly, but significantly, increased from samples with digested triolein compared to trioctanoin. The results show that the in vitro transfer of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and lycopene from chyme to mixed micelles during digestion requires minimal (0.5-1%) lipid content in the meal and is affected by the length of fatty acyl chains but not the degree of unsaturation in TG. In contrast, fatty acyl chain length has limited if any impact on carotenoid uptake by small intestinal epithelial cells. These data suggest that the amount of TG in a typical meal does not limit the bioaccessibility of carotenoids.     

Optimizing sampling of tomato fruit for carotenoid content with application to assessing the impact of ripening disorders

Color defines one aspect of quality for tomato and tomato products. Carotenoid pigments are responsible for the red and orange colors of tomato fruit, and thus color is also of dietary interest. The aims of this study were (1) to determine the relative importance of field sampling and analytical replication when measuring lycopene and beta-carotene in tomato fruit and (2) to determine the effect of yellow shoulder disorder (YSD) on the content of lycopene and beta-carotene in tomato juice and tissue. Our results show that increasing biological replications is an efficient strategy for reducing the experimental error associated with measurements of lycopene and beta-carotene. Analytical replications did not contribute significantly to observed variation, and therefore experimental efficiency will be gained by reducing analytical replications while increasing field replication. We found that YSD significantly reduces lycopene in affected tissue and in juice made from affected fruit. In contrast, beta-carotene concentrations were only reduced in affected tissue but were not significantly reduced in juice. With increasing interest in biofortified crops, modulating the carotenoid profile in tomato by minimizing YSD symptoms represents a strategy for improving tomato fruit quality that is currently supported by grower contract structure and processor grades.     

The dietary hydroxycinnamate caffeic acid and its conjugate chlorogenic acid increase vitamin e and cholesterol concentrations in Sprague-Dawley rats

Vegetarian diets are correlated with a reduced risk of developing cardiovascular disease and comprise a great variety of bioactive compounds, including hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives. Therefore, this study aimed to identify dietary hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives that may alter two important factors related to the development of cardiovascular disease, namely, tocopherol (T) and cholesterol (C) concentrations in the body. The effects of caffeic acid (CA), chlorogenic acid (CGA), and ferulic acid (FA) on alpha-T, gamma-T, and C levels in blood plasma, liver, and lungs were investigated after these compounds had been fed to rats for 4 weeks at concentrations of 2 g/kg in semisynthetic diets. None of the regimens affected weight gain, feed intake, or absolute weights of livers and lungs, although CA increased the liver weight relative to the body weight (P < 0.05). CA- and CGA-fed animals showed a tendency toward sparing vitamin E in all tissues, but statistical significance was obtained only for gamma-T in the liver of CA-fed animals (P < 0.005) and for alpha-T in the lungs of CGA-treated rats (P < 0.05). CGA supplementation reduced concentrations of lipids in the lung tissue (P < 0.05). CA and CGA elevated the concentrations of C in liver tissue and lipids to a similar extent, but only CA decreased the ratio of high-density lipoprotein C to total C in blood plasma (P < 0.05 for all effects). Animals eating FA showed T and C values comparable to those in the control group. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that dietary caffeic and chlorogenic acid may elevate tocopherols and cholesterol in vivo.     

Fruit antioxidant activity, ascorbic acid, total phenol, quercetin, and carotene of Irwin mango fruits stored at low temperature after high electric field pretreatment

Greenhouse-grown tree ripe (TR) and mature green (MG) mangoes (cv. Irwin) were exposed to high electric field treatment before 20 and 30 days of storage at 5 degrees C. MG fruits were allowed to ripen at room temperature after low-temperature storage. Fruit physical quality attributes, ascorbic acid, carotene, quercetin, total phenols, and antioxidant capacity were estimated before and after the storage period. Antioxidant capacity of fruit juice was estimated using the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Fruit firmness decreased significantly during storage. Titratable acidity decreased 20 days after storage. Total soluble solids did not change during storage. Antioxidant capacity of fruits remained unchanged up to 20 days of storage period and decreased thereafter. Total phenol and carotenes increased during storage. Antioxidant capacity of fruits was significantly correlated only to ascorbic acids. Peel color and carotenes were higher in TR fruits, whereas titratable acidity and firmness were higher in MG fruits. There was no significant difference in other parameters between the stages of picking. Electric field pretreatment affected the respiration and antioxidant capacity of TR fruits and did not have any significant affect on other parameters. TR mangoes of cv. Irwin are more suitable for low-temperature storage and can be successfully stored for up to 20 days at 5 degrees C without any significant losses in functional properties and quality attributes.     

Antioxidant properties of methanolic extracts from several ear mushrooms.

Five kinds of ear mushrooms are commercially available in Taiwan, including black, red, jin, snow, and silver ears. Methanolic extracts were prepared from these ear mushrooms, and their antioxidant properties were studied. For all methanolic extracts from ear mushrooms, the antioxidant activities in the 1,3-diethyl-2-thiobarbituric acid method were moderate (38.6 approximately 74.6%) at 1.0-5.0 mg/mL. Methanolic extracts from red, jin, and snow ears showed excellent antioxidant activities in the conjugated diene method at 5.0 mg/mL. At 5.0 mg/mL, reducing powers of methanolic extracts were in the descending order of snow > black approximately red approximately jin > silver ears. The scavenging effect of methanolic extracts from ear mushrooms on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals was excellent except for that from silver ears. Ear mushroom extracts were not good scavengers for hydroxyl free radicals but were good chelators for ferrous ions. Naturally occurring antioxidants, including ascorbic acid, tocopherols, and total phenols, were found in the methanolic extracts. However, beta-carotene was not detected. Total antioxidant components were 15.69, 30.09, 27.83, 49.17, and 31.70 mg/g for black, red, jin, snow, and silver ears, respectively.     

彩色油菜花瓣色素成分研究

为明确彩色油菜花瓣色素成分和色素呈色机制,提高彩色油菜育种效率,本研究比较了红色、橙色、黄色和白色4种色系共10种彩色油菜花瓣色素代谢的次生代谢物含量,并采用液质联用仪(HPLC-MS/MS)分析红色、橙色和黄色油菜花瓣中花青素和类胡萝卜素含量,同时对花青素合成关键酶活性和编码关键酶活性的基因表达量进行分析。结果表明,各色系油菜花瓣积累了大量酚类和类黄酮化合物。红色系和橙色系油菜花瓣中含有丰富的原花青素和花色苷;黄色系油菜花瓣中不含原花青素,但含花色苷;白色系油菜花瓣既不合成原花青素,也不合成花色苷。红色和橙色油菜花瓣中的花色苷主要成分是矢车菊素和芍药素。红色、橙色、黄色和白色油菜花瓣中均含有胡萝卜素和番茄红素,且4种花色花瓣中的番茄红素含量均高于胡萝卜素。红色、橙色和黄色油菜花瓣的番茄红素含量仅为对应花色花瓣花青素的0.25%、0.15%、0.02%。基因表达分析结果表明,引起花青素在不同色系油菜花瓣中积累差异的基因为二氢黄酮醇还原酶基因(DFR)和花青素还原酶基因(ANS),在红色、橙色和橙黄色花瓣中DFR和ANS的表达量分别为黄色花瓣的100倍和1 000倍以上。相关性分析表明,彩色油菜DFR和ANS基因的表达量与花色苷含量呈高度正相关性。但是,DFR和ANS活性在红色、橙色、黄色和白色油菜花瓣中差异不显著。本研究为彩色油菜进行基因操纵中靶基因的选择和合理的育种线路提供了理论基础。     

Effects of ozone and oxygen on the degradation of carotenoids in an aqueous model system

The effects of ozone and oxygen on the degradation of carotenoids in an aqueous model system were studied. All-trans beta-carotene, 9-cis beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, and lycopene were adsorbed onto a C(18) solid phase and exposed to a continuous flow of water saturated with oxygen or ozone at 30 degrees C. Carotenoids were analyzed using HPLC with a C(30) column and a photodiode array detector. Approximately 90% of all-trans beta-carotene, 9-cis beta-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin were lost after exposure to ozone for 7 h. A similar loss of lycopene occurred in only 1 h. When exposed to oxygen, all carotenoids, except beta-cryptoxanthin, degraded at lower rates. The degradation of all the carotenoids followed zero-order reaction kinetics with the following relative rates: lycopene > beta-cryptoxanthin > all-trans beta-carotene > 9-cis beta-carotene. The major degradation products of beta-carotene were tentatively identified on the basis of their elution on the HPLC column, UV-Vis spectra, and electrospray LC-MS. Predominant isomers of beta-carotene were 13-cis, 9-cis, and a di-cis isomer. Products resulting from cleavage of the molecule were beta-apo-13-carotenone and beta-apo-14'-carotenal, whereas epoxidation yielded beta-carotene 5,8-epoxide and beta-carotene 5, 8-endoperoxide.     

Antioxidant activities of astaxanthin and related carotenoids

The antioxidant activities of astaxanthin and related carotenoids have been measured by employing a newly developed fluorometric assay. This assay is based on 4,4-difluoro-3,5-bis(4-phenyl-1, 3-butadienyl)-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (BODIPY 665/676) as an indicator; 2,2'-azobis-2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile (AMVN) as a peroxyl radical generator; and 6-hydroxy-2,5,7, 8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid (Trolox) as a calibrator in an organic and liposomal media. By employing this assay, three categories of carotenoids were examined: namely, the hydrocarbon carotenoids lycopene, alpha-carotene, and beta-carotene; the hydroxy carotenoid lutein; and the alpha-hydroxy-ketocarotenoid astaxanthin. The relative peroxyl radical scavenging activities of Trolox, astaxanthin, alpha-tocopherol, lycopene, beta-carotene, lutein, and alpha-carotene in octane/butyronitrile (9:1, v/v) were determined to be 1.0, 1.0, 1.3, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, and 0.2, respectively. In dioleoylphosphatidyl choline (DOPC) liposomal suspension in Tri-HCl buffer (pH 7.4 at 40 degrees C), the relative reactivities of astaxanthin, beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol, and lutein were found to be 1.00, 0.9, 0.6, and 0.6, respectively. When BODIPY 665/676 was replaced by 4,4-difluoro-5-(4-phenyl-1,3-butadienyl)-4-bora-3a, 4a-diaza-s-indacene-3-undecanoic acid (BODIPY 581/591 C(11)) as an indicator, astaxanthin showed the highest antioxidant activity toward peroxyl radicals. The relative reactivities of Trolox, astaxanthin, alpha-tocopherol, alpha-carotene, lutein, beta-carotene, and lycopene were determined to be 1.0, 1.3, 0.9, 0.5, 0.4, 0.2, and 0.4, respectively.     

Characterization of color fade during frozen storage of red grapefruit juice concentrates

Color changes in red grapefruit juice concentrates during storage at -23 degrees C for 12 months were studied. Concentrate (38 degrees Brix) was packed in both plastic (16 oz) and metal (6 oz) cans. Decrease in red intensity (CIE a) in juice color and slight increases in CIE L*, b*, and hue values from analysis of reconstituted juices were the characteristic color changes in concentrate during frozen storage. With respect to fresh concentrate, juice color in stored concentrate shifted toward the direction between negative DeltaC* and positive DeltaL*, indicating the color became slightly paler. A color difference seems to exist between the two containers, especially for the magnitude of DeltaE*; color changes were more pronounced in concentrates packed in plastic. There are significant changes (P < 0.05) in major carotenoid pigments (beta-carotene and lycopene) in the concentrates. More than 20% loss of lycopene and about 7% loss of beta-carotene occurred with plastic containers after a 12-month period. Regression analysis showed that the rate of decline was about 0.291 ppm per month (r = 0.990) for lycopene compared to 0.045 ppm (r = 0.817) for beta-carotene in concentrate stored in plastic. In the metal can, the same trends were observed but pigment losses were slightly smaller than those with plastic. An estimated shelf life for lycopene was 26.1 months in the metal can compared to 18 months in plastic. Shelf life for beta-carotene was more than 39 months, more than twice that of lycopene in plastic container.     

Antioxidant activity of dietary fruits, vegetables, and commercial frozen fruit pulps

Fruits, vegetables, and commercial frozen pulps (FP) consumed in the Brazilian diet were analyzed for antioxidant activities using two different methods, one that determines the inhibition of copper-induced peroxidation of liposome and another based on the inhibition of the co-oxidation of linoleic acid and beta-carotene. The anthocyanin-rich samples showed the highest, concentration-dependent, antioxidant activities in both systems. In the liposome system, at both 10 and 50 microM gallic acid equivalent (GAE) addition levels, the neutral and acidic flavonoids of red cabbage, red lettuce, black bean, mulberry, Gala apple peel, jambolao, acai FP, mulberry FP, and the acidic flavonoids of acerola FP showed the highest antioxidant activities (>85% inhibition). In the beta-carotene bleaching system, the samples cited above plus red guava gave inhibition values >70%. On the other hand, some samples showed pro-oxidant activity in the liposome system coincident with a low antioxidant activity in the beta-carotene system. There was no relationship between total phenolics content, vitamin C, and antioxidant activity, suggesting that the antioxidant activity is a result of a combination of different compounds having synergic and antagonistic effects.     

Carotenoid changes of intact watermelons after storage

Watermelon contains lycopene, a red carotenoid pigment that has strong antioxidant properties. The lycopene content of watermelon is substantial, contributing 8-20 mg per 180 g serving. There are no reports on carotenoid changes in whole watermelon during storage. Three types of watermelon, open-pollinated seeded, hybrid seeded, and seedless types, were stored at 5, 13, and 21 degrees C for 14 days and flesh color, composition, and carotenoid content were compared to those of fruit not stored. Watermelons stored at 21 degrees C had increased pH, chroma, and carotenoid content compared to fresh fruit. Compared to fresh fruit, watermelons stored at 21 degrees C gained 11-40% in lycopene and 50-139% in beta-carotene, whereas fruit held at 13 degrees C changed little in carotenoid content. These results indicate that carotenoid biosynthesis in watermelons can be affected by temperature and storage.     

Rapid electrochemical method for the evaluation of the antioxidant power of some lipophilic food extracts.

In this paper, a novel electrochemical method to evaluate the antioxidant power of lipophilic compounds present in vegetables, such as carotenoids, chlorophylls, tocopherols, and capsaicin, is reported. The method is based on a flow injection system with an electrochemical detector equipped with a glassy carbon working electrode operating amperometrically at a potential of + 0.5 V (vs Ag/AgCl). The proposed method is selective for lipophilic compounds having antioxidant power. When applied to pure compounds, the order of antioxidant power resulted as follows: lycopene > beta-carotene > zeaxanthin > alpha-carotene > beta-cryptoxanthin > lutein > alpha-tocopherol > capsaicin > chlorophyll a > chlorophyll b > astaxanthin > canthaxanthin. Results obtained on five vegetable and two fruit extracts were compared to those obtained by the 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenz-thiazoline-6-sulfonic) acid (ABTS) radical cation decolorization assay, one of the most used methods to evaluate the total antioxidant capacity of foods. A good correlation between the two methods was found, except for spinach, because of the different antioxidant powers assigned by the two methods to chlorophylls. In conclusion, results suggest that the proposed electrochemical method can be successfully employed for the direct, rapid, and reliable monitoring of the antioxidant power of lipophilic food extracts.     

Fatty acid composition and antioxidant properties of cold-pressed marionberry, boysenberry, red raspberry, and blueberry seed oils

Cold-pressed marionberry, boysenberry, red raspberry, and blueberry seed oils were evaluated for their fatty acid composition, carotenoid content, tocopherol profile, total phenolic content (TPC), oxidative stability index (OSI), peroxide value, and antioxidant properties. All tested seed oils contained significant levels of alpha-linolenic acid ranging from 19.6 to 32.4 g per 100 g of oil, along with a low ratio of n-6/n-3 fatty acids (1.64-3.99). The total carotenoid content ranged from 12.5 to 30.0 micromoles per kg oil. Zeaxanthin was the major carotenoid compound in all tested berry seed oils, along with beta-carotene, lutein, and cryptoxanthin. Total tocopherol was 260.6-2276.9 mumoles per kg oil, including alpha-, gamma-, and delta-tocopherols. OSI values were 20.07, 20.30, and 44.76 h for the marionberry, red raspberry, and boysenberry seed oils, respectively. The highest TPC of 2.0 mg gallic acid equivalents per gram of oil was observed in the red raspberry seed oil, while the strongest oxygen radical absorbance capacity was in boysenberry seed oil extract (77.9 micromol trolox equivalents per g oil). All tested berry seed oils directly reacted with and quenched DPPH radicals in a dose- and time-dependent manner. These data suggest that the cold-pressed berry seed oils may serve as potential dietary sources of tocopherols, carotenoids, and natural antioxidants.     

Comparison of the main bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities in garlic and white and red onions after treatment protocols

Polish garlic and white and red onions were subjected to blanching, boiling, frying, and microwaving for different periods of time, and then their bioactive compounds (polyphenols, flavonoids, flavanols, anthocyanins, tannins, and ascorbic acid) and antioxidant activities were determined. It was found that blanching and frying and then microwaving of garlic and onions did not decrease significantly the amounts of their bioactive compounds and the level of antioxidant activities ( P > 0.05). The HPLC profiles of free and soluble ester- and glycoside-bound phenolic acids showed that trans-hydroxycinnamic acids (caffeic, p-coumaric, ferulic, and sinapic) were as much as twice higher in garlic than in onions. Quercetin quantity was the highest in red onion among the studied vegetables. The electrophoretic separation of nonreduced garlic and onion proteins after boiling demonstrated their degradation in the range from 50 to 112 kDa.     

Tocopherols,Tocotrienols, and γ‐Oryzanol Contents in Japonica and Indica Subspecies of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Cultivated in Brazil

Whole rice contains several fat‐soluble phytochemicals such as tocopherols, tocotrienols, and γ‐oryzanol which have been reported to possess beneficial health properties. This study was conducted to determine whether brown rice belonging to indica and japonica subspecies were distinguishable from each other regarding the concentration of these compounds by analyzing 32 genotypes. The fat‐soluble compounds were analyzed by normal‐phase HPLC in a single run. The variability of the compounds analyzed was high, but the mean content of γ‐oryzanol across all samples was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in japonica (246.3 mg/kg) than in indica rice (190.1 mg/kg). Similar differences were found for total vitamin E contents which were 24.2 mg/kg in japonica and 17.1 mg/kg in indica rice, respectively. In japonica rice, α‐tocopherol, α‐tocotrienol, and γ‐tocotrienol were the most abundant homologs, while in indica rice the most abundant were γ‐tocotrienol, α‐tocopherol, and α‐tocotrienol. A significant Pearson coefficient (0.80, P < 0.001) between α‐tocopherol and α‐tocotrienol levels was found, independent of the subspecies. Both compounds were positively correlated to total tocols and γ‐oryzanol contents. Although more studies are needed to evaluate the interference of growing rice in different environments and multiple years, the present study provided information on natural variations of the vitamin E isomers and the γ‐oryzanol contents in different rice genotypes.     

Carotenoid absorption in humans consuming tomato sauces obtained from tangerine or high-beta-carotene varieties of tomatoes

Tomato sauces were produced from unique tomato varieties to study carotenoid absorption in humans. Tangerine tomatoes, high in cis-lycopene, especially prolycopene (7Z,9Z,7'Z,9'Z), and high-beta-carotene tomatoes as an alternative dietary source of beta-carotene were grown and processed. Sauces were served after 2 week washout periods and overnight fasting for breakfast to healthy subjects (n = 12, 6M/6F) in a randomized crossover design. The serving size was 150 g (containing 15 g of corn oil), tangerine sauce containing 13 mg of lycopene (97.0% as cis-isomers) and high-beta-carotene sauce containing 17 mg of total beta-carotene (1.6% as the 9-cis-isomer) and 4 mg of lycopene. Blood samples were collected 0, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9.5 h following test meal consumption and carotenoids determined in the plasma triacylglycerol-rich lipoprotein fraction by HPLC-electrochemical detection. Baseline-corrected areas under the concentration vs time curves (AUC) were used as a measure of absorption. AUC0-9.5h values for total lycopene in the tangerine sauce group were 870 +/- 187 (nmol.h)/L (mean +/- SEM) with >99% as cis-isomers (59% as the tetra-cis-isomer). The AUC0-9.5h values for total beta-carotene and lycopene after consumption of the high-beta-carotene sauce were 304 +/- 54 (4% as 9-cis-carotene) and 118 +/- 24 (nmol.h)/L, respectively. Lycopene dose-adjusted triacylglycerol-rich lipoprotein AUC responses in the tangerine sauce group were relatively high when compared to those in the literature and the high-beta-carotene group. The results support the hypothesis that lycopene cis-isomers are highly bioavailable and suggest that special tomato varieties can be utilized to increase both the intake and bioavailability of health-beneficial carotenoids.     

Comparison of Nutritional Compounds in Premature Green and Mature Yellow Whole Wheat in Korea

Until now few comparisons of nutritional compounds in premature green and mature yellow wheat have been reported. In this study, the contents of amino acids, vitamins, mineral compounds, phytosterols, and fatty acids as well as the proximate composition of premature green and mature yellow wheat were investigated. Premature green wheat had lower protein content (12.0 g/100 g db) and higher dietary fiber content (19.3 g/100 g db) than mature yellow wheat (13.6 and 14.3 g/100 g db for protein and dietary fiber, respectively). Despite a small difference in total amino acids, protein in premature wheat had a significantly greater proportion of essential amino acids: 16.1, 39.9, and 32.7 mg/g of protein for methionine, lysine, and threonine, respectively. Furthermore, the protein digestibility‐corrected amino acid scores of whole grain premature green and mature yellow wheat were 62.8 and 46.4, respectively, showing significant difference (P < 0.05). Total fatty acids content was 2.66 g/100 g db for premature green wheat and 2.21 g/100 g db for mature yellow wheat. Vitamin C, β‐carotene (provitamin A), α‐ and γ‐tocopherol, and niacin were the major vitamins in premature green wheat, whereas vitamin C and β‐carotene were not detected in mature yellow wheat. The results obtained indicated that premature green wheat has potential for the human diet because of its desirable nutritional value.