Evaluation of antioxidant and prooxidant activities of bamboo Phyllostachys nigra var. Henonis leaf extract in vitro

Solvent-extracted bamboo leaf extract (BLE) containing chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and luteolin 7-glucoside was evaluated in vitro for free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities using a battery of test methods. BLE exhibited a concentration-dependent scavenging activity of DPPH radical. BLE prolonged the lag phase and suppressed the rate of propagation of liposome peroxidation initiated by peroxyl radical induced by 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane dihydrochloride (AAPH) at 37 degrees C. BLE also prevented human low-density lipoprotein oxidation, mediated by Cu(2+), which was monitored by the lower formation of conjugated diene and fluorescence and a reduced negative charge of apo-B protein. Finally, BLE protected supercoiled DNA strand against scission induced by AAPH-mediated peroxyl radical. Prooxidant activity of BLE was seen in a Cu(2+)-induced peroxidation of structured phosphatidylcholine liposome, indicating catalytic peroxidation due to a relatively high reducing power of BLE. It was concluded that the BLE has both antioxidant activity and prooxidant activity; the antioxidant activity was attributed to free radical scavenging activity, and the prooxidant activity, albeit minor, resulted from the reducing power of plant phenolics in the presence of transitional metal ions.     

Alkylperoxyl radical scavenging activity of red leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) phenolics

Although lettuce may provide relatively low levels of antioxidative phytochemicals which may contribute to human health, lettuce leaf extracts in fact contained compounds with high specific peroxyl radical scavenging activities. After determining the extraction conditions that minimized phenolic oxidation and produced the highest oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values, the phenolic compounds from red leaf lettuce were separated by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The primary phenolic compounds in the leaf tissue extracts were mono- and dicaffeoyltartaric acid (CTA and DCTA), mono- and dicaffeoylquinic acid (CQA and DCQA), quercetin 3-malonylglucoside (QMG), quercetin 3-glucoside (QG), cyanidin 3-malonylglucoside (CMG), and an unknown phenolic ester (UPE). Significant levels of DCQA were only found after wounding. Using the new fluorescein-based ORAC assay procedures, fractions from the HPLC analyses were assayed for peroxyl radical absorbance capacity. Using absorbance to estimate concentration, the decreasing order of contribution to the total ORAC value of an extract from wounded tissue was QMG > DCQA > CMG > DCTA > UPE > QG > CTA. The decreasing order of the specific peroxyl radical scavenging activities was CMG > QG > DCTA > DCQA > QMG > UPE > CQA > CTA. Since the concentrations of plant flavonoid and phenolic acid esters are sensitive to environmental factors, this information may be used to develop pre- and postharvest conditions which increase the dietary benefits of leaf lettuce.     

Novel low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation model: antioxidant capacity for the inhibition of LDL oxidation

A novel model of peroxyl radical initiated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation (LDL oxidation model for antioxidant capacity, or LOMAC) was developed to assess the free radical scavenging capacity of antioxidants and the extracts of natural products. A water-soluble free radical initiator, 2,2'-azobis(amidinopropane) dihydrochloride, was used at physiological temperature (37 degrees C) to generate peroxyl radicals to catalyze lipid oxidation of LDL isolated from human plasma samples. Headspace hexanal, a major decomposition product of LDL oxidation, was measured by a headspace gas chromatograph as an indicator of antioxidant capacity of different concentrations of pure antioxidants (vitamins C and E) and the extracts of natural products (fresh apple phytochemical extracts). All vitamin C and E and apple extract concentrations tested resulted in increasing partial suppression and delay of LDL oxidation. On the basis of the median effective dose (EC(50)) calculated for each compound or extract tested, the LOMAC value of 100 g of apple against LDL oxidation was equivalent to 1470 mg of vitamin E or to 402 mg of vitamin C. This study shows that the LOMAC assay can be routinely used to analyze or screen antioxidants or phytochemical extracts against LDL oxidation to prevent cardiovascular disease. The food-specific LOMAC values will be very useful as a new alternative biomarker for future epidemiological studies of cardiovascular disease.     

Effect of heat treatment of camelina (Camelina sativa) seeds on the antioxidant potential of their extracts

The effect of different heat treatments of camelina (Camelina sativa) seeds on the phenolic profile and antioxidant activity of their hydrolyzed extracts was investigated. The results showed that total phenol contents increased in thermally treated seeds. Heat treatment affected also the quantities of individual phenolic compounds in extracts. Phenolics in unheated camelina seeds existed in bound rather than in free form. A temperature of 160 °C was required for release of insoluble bound phenolics, whereas lower temperatures were found to be optimal to liberate those present as soluble conjugates. The best reducing power and alkyl peroxyl radical scavenging activity in the emulsion was expressed by phenolics which were bound to the cell wall, whereas the best iron chelators and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH?) radical scavengers were found to be those present in free form. The heat treatment of seeds up to 120 °C increased the reducing power and DPPH? radical scavenging ability of extracts, but negatively affected iron chelating ability and their activity in an emulsion against alkyl peroxyl radicals.     

Inhibitory activities of soluble and bound millet seed phenolics on free radicals and reactive oxygen species

Oxidative stress, caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS), is responsible for modulating several pathological conditions and aging. Soluble and bound phenolic extracts of commonly consumed millets, namely, kodo, finger (Ravi), finger (local), foxtail, proso, little, and pearl, were investigated for their phenolic content and inhibition of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and ROS, namely, hydroxyl radical, peroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), hypochlorous acid (HOCl), and singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)). Inhibition of DPPH and hydroxyl radicals was detrmined using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The peroxyl radical inhibitory activity was measured using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. The scavenging of H(2)O(2), HOCl, and (1)O(2) was evaluated using colorimetric methods. The results were expressed as micromoles of ferulic acid equivalents (FAE) per gram of grain on a dry weight basis. In addition, major hydroxycinnamic acids were identified and quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and HPLC-mass spectrometry (MS). All millet varieties displayed effective radical and ROS inhibition activities, which generally positively correlated with phenolic contents, except for hydroxyl radical. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of ferulic and p-coumaric acids as major hydroxycinnamic acids in phenolic extract and responsible for the observed effects. Bound extracts of millet contributed 38-99% to ROS scavenging, depending on the variety and the test system employed. Hence, bound phenolics must be included in the evaluation of the antioxidant activity of millets and other cereals.     

Antioxidant,prooxidant, and cytotoxic activities of solvent-fractionated dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) flower extracts in vitro

This study was conducted to investigate the chemical antioxidant and bioactive properties of the water (WF) and ethyl acetate fractions (EAF) derived from dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) flower extract (DFE). HPLC analysis showed the presence of both luteolin and luteolin 7-glucoside in the DFE, which contributed to noted in vitro antioxidant and Caco-2 cell cytotoxic activities. Both WF and EAF of DFE exhibited free radical scavenging activities in a stable 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical model and reduced the breakage of supercoiled DNA strand induced by both non-site-specific and site-specific hydroxyl radical. Oxidation of structured phosphatidylcholine liposome induced by peroxyl radical was reduced in the presence of both EAF and WF. EAF had greater (p < 0.05) affinity to scavenge peroxyl radical than WF, as measured by the formation of conjugated diene. At low concentration, prooxidant activity of both fractions was observed in Cu(2+)-induced structured liposome and hLDL oxidation models, thus indicating that the reducing power of the DFE had resulted in generation of reactive cuprous ion. However, at high concentrations the EAF did not promote oxidation in the presence of Cu(2+), suggesting that the free radical scavenging activity of this fraction was sufficient to minimize the potential oxidative mechanism attributed to the metal ion reducing activity associated with prooxidant activity.     

Effect of brining on biological activity of leaves of Vitis vinifera L. (Cv. Sultani Cekirdeksiz) from Turkey

Leaves of Vitis vinifera (Fam. Vitaceae) cv. 'Sultani Cekirdeksiz' cultivated in Manisa-Alasehir in western Turkey, were processed with or without brine. Fresh, brined, and nonbrined leaves (after being subjected to 3 months of fermentation) were sampled and extracted with distilled water under reflux. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-nociceptive activities of the water extracts were investigated using in vitro and in vivo methods. Free radical scavenging activity (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH* assay), iron(III) reductive activity (reducing power activity assay), capacity of inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation (ferric thiocyanate and thiobarbituric acid method), anti-nociceptive activity (p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction test), and anti-inflammatory activity (carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model) were used to determine biological activities of the extracts. In addition, the contents of total phenolics, flavonoids, and flavonols in the extracts were determined by spectrophotometrical methods. Results were compared with those of ascorbic acid, butylated hydroxytoluene, and gallic acid as reference antioxidants. The extracts of fresh, brined, and nonbrined leaves showed almost the same activity in all antioxidant assays. These extracts inhibited the oxidation of linoleic acid to the same extent as BHT. Compositions of the extracts were analyzed by a reverse phase HPLC-PDA method. The occurrence of hydroxycinnamic acids (e.g., caffeic acid) and flavonoids (e.g., quercetin) was verified in the extracts. The content of total flavonoids as well as quercetin was increased by fermentation.     

High-throughput quantitation of peroxyl radical scavenging capacity in bulk oils

Autoxidation of methyl linoleate (8:2 mixture with decane, 37 degrees C) was induced by 2,2'-azobis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile) (AMVN, 17.7 mM) and the kinetics of oxygen consumption monitored using a 96-well microplate coated with an oxygen-sensitive fluorescence probe, a ruthenium dye, embedded in a silicone matrix at the bottom of the microplate. The probe does not participate in the reaction; instead, its fluorescence intensity is inversely proportional to the solution oxygen concentration as it changes during oxidation. In the absence of antioxidants, the oxidation rate has a linear relationship with the square root of the initiator concentrations. This is in agreement with theoretical autoxidation kinetics equations. In the presence of tocopherol-type antioxidants, a sharp lag phase appears. The quantitation of the antioxidant capacity is achieved using the area under the curve (AUC) approach. The assay has a 2 h running time, a linearity range from 1.56 to 18.7 microM (Trolox), and a limit of quantitation at 2.7 microM Trolox equivalency. The peroxyl radical scavenging capacities of several cold-pressed and organically grown plant seed oils were quantified along with the tocopherol concentrations of the oils. Tocopherols contribute only a fraction of the peroxyl radical scavenging capacity of the oils, and there is poor correlation between total tocopherol concentrations and radical scavenging capacity, suggesting that the antioxidant capacity of oils is due not only to tocopherols but also to other lipid-soluble antioxidants.     

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of selected medicinal plants containing phenolic and flavonoid compounds

The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities of water and ethanol extracts of 14 Chinese medicinal plants were investigated and also their total phenolics and flavonoid contents measured. The antioxidant activity was evaluated in a biological assay using Saccharomyces cerevisiae , whereas the radical scavenging activity was measured using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. Total phenolics and flavonoid contents were estimated by Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride methods, respectively. The anti-inflammatory activities of the plant extracts were determined by measuring the inhibition of production of nitric oxide (NO) and TNF-α in LPS and IFN-γ activated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Their cytotoxic activities against macrophages were determined by Alamar Blue assay. Four plants, namely, Scutellaria baicalensis , Taxillus chinensis , Rheum officinale , and Sophora japonica , showed significant antioxidant activity in both yeast model and also free radical scavenging methods. The ethanol extract of S. japonica showed highest levels of phenolics and flavonoids (91.33 GAE mg/g and 151.86 QE mg/g, respectively). A positive linear correlation between antioxidant activity and the total phenolics and flavonoid contents indicates that these compounds are likely to be the main antioxidants contributing to the observed activities. Five plant extracts (S. baicalensis, T. chinensis, S. japonica, Mahonia fortunei , and Sophora flavescens ) exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity by in vitro inhibition of the production of NO and TNF-α with low IC(50) values. These findings suggest that some of the medicinal herbs studied in this paper are good sources of antioxidants.     

Screening for antioxidant activity in edible plant products: comparison of low-density lipoprotein oxidation assay, DPPH radical scavenging assay, and Folin-Ciocalteu assay

Oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) has been implicated in atherogenesis. Antioxidants that prevent LDL from oxidizing may reduce atherosclerosis. This study investigated LDL antioxidant activity in edible plant products for development of dietary supplementation to prevent atherosclerosis. Fifty-two kinds of edible plants were extracted using 70% aqueous ethanol solution, and the antioxidant activity of the extracts, which inhibit human LDL oxidation induced by copper ion, was determined on the basis of the oxidation lag time and represented as epigallocatechin 3-gallate equivalent. 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and total phenolic content were also measured for comparisons with antioxidant activity in LDL. Plant products showing the greatest activity in LDL oxidation assay were akamegashiwa (Mallotus japonicus) leaf, Japanese privet (Ligustrum japonicum) leaf, green tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze], and astringent persimmon (Diospyros kaki). The present study revealed high levels of LDL antioxidant activity in plant products for which such activity levels are underestimated in the DPPH radical scavenging assay and Folin-Ciocalteu assay.     

Novel fluorometric assay for hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity (HOSC) estimation

A novel fluorometric method was developed and validated for hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity (HOSC) estimation using fluorescein as the probe. A constant flux of pure hydroxyl radical is generated under physiological pH using a Fenton-like Fe3+/H2O2 reaction. The generation of pure hydroxyl radicals under the experimental conditions was evaluated and confirmed using electron spin resonance with DMPO spin-trapping measurements. The hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity of a selected antioxidant sample is quantified by measuring the area under the fluorescence decay curve with or without the presence of the antioxidant and expressed as Trolox equivalents per unit of the antioxidant. The assay may be performed using a plate reader with a fluorescence detector for high-throughput measurements. The assay was validated for linearity, precision, accuracy, reproducibility, and its correlation with a popular peroxyl radical scavenging capacity assay using selected pure antioxidant compounds and botanical extracts. This method may provide researchers in the food, nutrition, and medical fields an easy to use protocol to evaluate free radical scavenging capacity of pure antioxidants and natural extracts in vitro against the very reactive hydroxyl radical, which may be linked to numerous degenerative diseases and conditions.     

Evaluation of extracts from Gevuina avellana hulls as antioxidants

The antioxidant activity of the extracts from Gevuina avellana hulls was evaluated and compared with that of BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) and BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), using the beta-carotene bleaching assay, the accelerated oxidation of crude soybean oil, and the 2,2-diphenyl-beta-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method. Solvents of different polarity were used to obtain the extracts. Both the extraction yield and the antioxidant activity were strongly dependent on the solvent. The ethanol and diethyl ether soluble fractions were the most active with the beta-carotene assay. Ethanol and methanol extracts were the most active in hydrogen radical scavenging activity. Water and methanol inhibited more efficiently the oxidation of soybean oil at 70 and 80 degrees C, respectively. As a general trend, increased antioxidant activity was observed for increased extract concentration. Except the acetone extracts, all were stable after 6 months storage at 4 degrees C. The ethanol solubles from G. avellana hulls present antioxidant activity similar to that of synthetic antioxidants and to other reported residual agroindustrial materials.     

Antioxidant constituents of radish sprout (Kaiware-daikon), Raphanus sativus L

Methanol extracts of 11 kinds of commonly available vegetables were examined for hydroxyl radical scavenging potency using the bleomycin-Fe method. In this method, the iron ion and bleomycin in water form hydroxyl radicals, and the scavenging activity is monitored by the modified thiobarbituric acid method. All extracts showed scavenging capacity, even though the activity of some of them was lower than that of l-ascorbic acid. Those vegetables were classified into three groups according to their activity, groups showing strong activity, moderate activity, and weak activity, as compared to the activity of l-ascorbic acid at the same concentration. Among them, the methanol extract of radish sprout (Japanese name "kaiware-daikon") exhibited the highest potency (1.8 times as l-ascorbic acid). Then, we investigated the constituents of the methanol extract of radish sprout and the contribution to the overall activity of each compound by examining their activity. As the result, several kinds of sinapinic acid esters and flavonoids were isolated with high radical scavenging potency, which must contribute substantially to the activity.     

Antioxidant activity of knotwood extractives and phenolic compounds of selected tree species

The antioxidant potency and the radical scavenging capacity of superoxide and peroxyl radicals were assessed for 13 hydrophilic knotwood extracts of commercially important wood species, or fractions thereof, as well as for five pure wood-derived lignans and the flavonoid taxifolin. The chemical composition of the knotwood extracts was determined by gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. Most of the investigated wood species were rich in hydrophilic extractives (10-20% of the dry wood) with one or a few compounds dominating in each extract. All extracts had a high antioxidative potency and/or radical scavenging capacity as compared to the well-known antioxidants Trolox and butylated hydroxyanisole. The pure wood-derived lignans and taxifolin also had a high antioxidative potency and/or radical scavenging capacity. However, the antioxidant potency and/or radical scavenging capacity of several of the hydrophilic knotwood extracts were higher than that of the dominating compounds in pure form.     

Comparison of spectrophotometric and electrochemical methods for the evaluation of the antioxidant capacity of buckwheat products after hydrothermal treatment

This paper reports the use of spectrophotometric and voltammetric methods for the determination of the antioxidant capacity of buckwheat and its products originated from a technological line of a buckwheat roasted groats producer. 80% methanol extracts from raw and roasted buckwheat and groats and hulls obtained from roasted buckwheat were used. The spectrophotometric methods included (1) free radical scavenging activities of the extracts against ABTS*+ radical cation (TEAC) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH RSA) and (2) determination of reducing capacity by the means of Folin-Ciocalteu reagent (FCR) application. The radical scavenging activities of the extracts were also investigated using a voltammetric assay. Moreover, the flavonoids profiles of the studied materials were provided. Buckwheat roasting caused a decrease in TEAC, DPPH RSA, and FCR reducing capacity by 70%. The lowest TEAC, DPPH RSA, and FCR reducing capacities were noted for roasted groats. Both DPPH RSA and TEAC methods were highly positively correlated with the FCR reducing capacity assay (r = 0.98 and r = 0.99). Cyclic voltammograms of analyzed buckwheat extracts were useful for evaluation of the antioxidant capacity. The total charge below the anodic current waveform was correlated with the data obtained by TEAC (r = 0.770), DPPH RSA (r = 0.88), and FCR reducing capacity (r = 0.81). The changes in the antioxidant capacity of buckwheat and its products followed the changes in flavonoids composition. In particular, the concentration of flavonoids was related to measurements by cyclic voltammetry.     

Antioxidant properties of various solvent extracts of total phenolic constituents from three different agroclimatic origins of drumstick tree (Moringa oleifera Lam.) leaves

Water, aqueous methanol, and aqueous ethanol extracts of freeze-dried leaves of Moringa oleifera Lam. from different agroclimatic regions were examined for radical scavenging capacities and antioxidant activities. All leaf extracts were capable of scavenging peroxyl and superoxyl radicals. Similar scavenging activities for different solvent extracts of each collection were found for the stable 1,1-diphenyl 2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH(*)) radical. Among the three different moringa samples, both methanol and ethanol extracts of Indian origins showed the highest antioxidant activities, 65.1 and 66.8%, respectively, in the beta-carotene-linoleic acid system. Nonetheless, increasing concentration of all the extracts had significantly (P < 0.05) increased reducing power, which may in part be responsible for their antioxidant activity. The major bioactive compounds of phenolics were found to be flavonoid groups such as quercetin and kaempferol. On the basis of the results obtained, moringa leaves are found to be a potential source of natural antioxidants due to their marked antioxidant activity. This is the first report on the antioxidant properties of the extracts from freeze-dried moringa leaves. Overall, both methanol (80%) and ethanol (70%) were found to be the best solvents for the extraction of antioxidant compounds from moringa leaves.     

Capabilities of Oat Extracts in Inhibiting Cholesterol and Long Chain Fatty Acid Oxidation During Heating

The antioxidant activities of oat groat extracts using different solvents were investigated. For acetone, hexane, and methanol extracts, the total phenolic compound contents were 12.83, 8.56, and 26.17 μg of catechin equivalent/g, respectively. Their corresponding free radical scavenging activities measured using the DPPH (2,2'‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl) method were 0.68, 0.35, and 0.79 μmol of Trolox equivalent/g, respectively. All oat extracts presented significantly greater capability in preventing cholesterol oxidation than the control (no extract added) during heating at the three levels of addition (1, 5, and 10 mg). The capability of the hexane or acetone extract in preventing cholesterol oxidation was not as effective as the methanol extract. In the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6) oxidation test, all oat extracts at the level of 5 and 10 mg had greater inhibition capability on DHA oxidation than the control (DHA only). No significant inhibition was found for the hexane and acetone extract at the level of 1 mg, except for the methanol extract. The capabilities of oat extracts to inhibit oxidation of cholesterol and DHA from high to low was methanol, acetone, and hexane extract, which agreed with their free radical scavenging activities and total phenolic compound contents.     

Studies on the antioxidant activity of pomegranate (Punica granatum) peel and seed extracts using in vitro models.

Antioxidant-rich fractions were extracted from pomegranate (Punica granatum) peels and seeds using ethyl acetate, methanol, and water. The extracts were screened for their potential as antioxidants using various in vitro models, such as beta-carotene-linoleate and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) model systems. The methanol extract of peels showed 83 and 81% antioxidant activity at 50 ppm using the beta-carotene-linoleate and DPPH model systems, respectively. Similarly, the methanol extract of seeds showed 22.6 and 23.2% antioxidant activity at 100 ppm using the beta-carotene-linoleate and DPPH model systems, respectively. As the methanol extract of pomegranate peel showed the highest antioxidant activity among all of the extracts, it was selected for testing of its effect on lipid peroxidation, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, and human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation. The methanol extract showed 56, 58, and 93.7% inhibition using the thiobarbituric acid method, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, and LDL oxidation, respectively, at 100 ppm. This is the first report on the antioxidant properties of the extracts from pomegranate peel and seeds. Owing to this property, the studies can be further extended to exploit them for their possible application for the preservation of food products as well as their use as health supplements and neutraceuticals.     

Rapid peroxyl radical scavenging capacity (PSC) assay for assessing both hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidants

This paper reports a simple, rapid, and sensitive assay for assessing peroxyl radical scavenging capacity (PSC) of both hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant compounds and food extracts. The assay is based on the degree of inhibition of dichlorofluorescin oxidation by antioxidants that scavenge peroxyl radicals, generated from thermal degradation of 2,2'-azobis(amidinopropane). For hydrophilic antioxidant activity, the dose required to cause a 50% inhibition of the reaction (EC(50)) ranged from 2.41 +/- 0.02 (EGCG) to 21.26 +/- 0.38 microM (ferulic acid). EC(50) values for the hydrophilic antioxidant activity of food extracts ranged from 309.2 +/- 3.63 (apple) to 3345.1 +/- 151.5 micromol of vitamin C equiv/100 g for wheat bran. The EC(50) values for lipophilic antioxidant activity were 1.58 +/- 0.11 (Trolox), 4.35 +/- 0.43 (alpha-tocopherol), 18.94 +/- 0.38 (BHA), and 182.69 +/- 13.7 microM (BHT). Whole grain lipophilic antioxidant activity ranged from 3.49 +/- 0.57 (wheat) to 8.79 +/- 1.98 micromol of alpha-tocopherol equiv/100 g of rice. Hydrophilic antioxidant activity contributed >98% of the total antioxidant activity (hydrophilic plus lipophilic) of whole grains tested. The PSC assay was accurate (86-108% recovery), precise (0.12-11% CV), and reproducible (12% RSD) and produced results comparable to those of similar published assays. The PSC assay can be routinely used to analyze or screen both hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidants or food extracts and will be a valuable alternative biomarker for future epidemiological studies of chronic diseases.     

Comparison between the radical scavenging activity and antioxidant activity of six distilled and nondistilled mediterranean herbs and aromatic plants

Thirty-six different extracts of six herbs and aromatic plants (fennel, common melilot, milfoil, lavandin cv. Super, spike lavender, and tarragon) were evaluated for their radical scavenging activity by the DPPH*, NBT/hypoxanthine superoxide, and *OH/luminol chemiluminescence methods, and for their antioxidant activity by the beta-carotene blenching test. The total phenolic content was also determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The plant material included cultivated plants and their wastes after being distilled for essential oils. Both remarkably high phenolic content and radical scavenging activities were found for the ethyl acetate and dichloromethane fractions among the different plant extracts. In general, the distilled plant material was found to exhibit a higher phenolic content as well as antioxidant and radical scavenging activities than the nondistilled material. Ethyl acetate and dichloromethane extracts, and even some crude extract, of both distilled and nondistilled plants exhibited activities comparable to those of commercial extracts/compounds, thus making it possible to consider some of them as a potential source of antioxidants of natural origin.