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.     

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.     

Antioxidant capacity of different broccoli (Brassica oleracea) genotypes using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay

Antioxidant capacity of hydrophilic and lipophilic extracts from eight broccoli genotypes was compared using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. Each genotype was analyzed for carotenoid, tocopherol, ascorbic acid, and flavonoid content. Results indicate that the antioxidant capacity of hydrophilic extracts ranged from 65.8 to 121.6 micromol trolox equivalents (TE)/g of tissue, and the capacity of lipophilic extracts ranged from 3.9 to 17.5 micromol TE/g. Ascorbic acid and flavonoid content of the hydrophilic extracts did not explain the total variation in antioxidant capacity of those extracts, suggesting either the presence of other antioxidant components that have yet to be identified or that the known antioxidants are producing synergistic effects. The carotenoids did correlate with antioxidant capacity of the lipophilic extracts and accounted for the majority of the variability in that fraction. The variability in hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant capacity found among these genotypes suggests that potential efficacy from antioxidants will vary considerably from genotype to genotype.     

Phytochemicals and antioxidant activity of milled fractions of different wheat varieties

The health-promoting effects of whole-grain consumption have been attributed in part to their unique phytochemical contents and profiles that complement those found in fruits and vegetables. Wheat is an important component of the human diet; however, little is known about the phytochemical profiles and total antioxidant activities of milled fractions of different wheat varieties. The objectives of this study were to investigate the distribution of phytochemicals (total phenolics, flavonoids, ferulic acid, and carotenoids) and to determine hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant activity in milled fractions (endosperm and bran/germ) of three different wheat varieties, two of which were grown in two environments. Grain samples of each of the wheat varieties were milled into endosperm and bran/germ fractions. Each fraction was extracted and analyzed for total phenolics, ferulic acid, flavonoids, carotenoid contents, and hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant activities. Total phenolic content of bran/germ fractions (2867-3120 micromol of gallic acid equiv/100 g) was 15-18-fold higher (p < 0.01) than that of respective endosperm fractions. Ferulic acid content ranged from 1005 to 1130 micromol/100 g in bran/germ fractions and from 15 to 21 micromol/100 g in the endosperm fractions. The bran/germ fraction flavonoid content was 740-940 micromol of catechin equiv/100 g. On average, bran/germ fractions of wheat had 4-fold more lutein, 12-fold more zeaxanthin, and 2-fold more beta-cryptoxanthin than the endosperm fractions. Hydrophilic antioxidant activity of bran/germ samples (7.1-16.4 micromol of vitamin C equiv/g) was 13-27-fold higher than that of the respective endosperm samples. Similarly, lipophilic antioxidant activity was 28-89-fold higher in the bran/germ fractions (1785-4669 nmol of vitamin E equiv/g). Hydrophilic antioxidant activity contribution to the total antioxidant activity (hydrophilic + lipophilic) was >80%. In whole-wheat flour, the bran/germ fraction contributed 83% of the total phenolic content, 79% of the total flavonoid content, 51% of the total lutein, 78% of the total zeaxanthin, 42% of the total beta-cryptoxanthin, 85% of the total hydrophilic antioxidant activity, and 94% of the total lipophilic antioxidant activity. Our results showed that different milled fractions of wheat have different profiles of both hydrophilic and lipophilic phytochemicals. These findings provide information necessary for evaluating contributions to good health and disease prevention from whole-wheat consumption.     

In vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the essential oils and various extracts of Thymus eigii M. Zohary et P.H. Davis

This study was designed to examine the in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the essential oil and various extracts obtained from aerial parts of Thymus eigii. The essential oil was particularly found to possess stronger antimicrobial activity, whereas other nonpolar extracts and subfractions showed moderate activity and polar extracts remained almost inactive. GC-MS analysis of the oil resulted in the identification of 39 compounds, representing 93.7% of the oil; thymol (30.6%), carvacrol (26.1%), and p-cymene (13.0%) were the main components. The samples were also subjected to a screening for their possible antioxidant activity by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and beta-carotene-linoleic acid assays. In the former case, the polar subfraction of the methanol extract was found to be superior to all extracts tested, only 16.8 microg/mL of which provided 50% inhibition, whereas all extracts, particularly the polar ones, seem to inhibit the oxidation of linoleic acid in the latter case. These data were further supported by total phenolics analysis, indicating that the antioxidative potential of the extracts was closely related to their phenolic constituents.     

Antioxidative activities of volatile extracts from green tea, oolong tea, and black tea

Antioxidative activities of volatile extracts from six teas (one green tea, one oolong tea, one roasted green tea, and three black teas) were investigated using an aldehyde/carboxylic acid assay and a conjugated diene assay. The samples were tested at levels of 20, 50, 100, and 200 micrograms/mL of dichloromethane. The results obtained from the two assays were consistent. All extracts except roasted green tea exhibited dose-dependent inhibitory activity in the aldehyde/carboxylic acid assay. A volatile extract from green tea exhibited the most potent activity in both assays among the six extracts. It inhibited hexanal oxidation by almost 100% over 40 days at the level of 200 micrograms/mL. The extract from oolong tea inhibited hexanal oxidation by 50% in 15 days. In the case of the extract from roasted green tea, the lowest antioxidative activity was obtained at the level of 200 micrograms/mL, suggesting that the extract from roasted green tea contained some pro-oxidants. The extracts from the three black teas showed slight anti- or proactivities in both assays. The major volatile constituents of green tea and roasted green tea extracts, which exhibited significant antioxidative activities, were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The major volatile chemicals with possible antioxidative activity identified were alkyl compounds with double bond(s), such as 3,7-dimethyl-1,6-octadien-3-ol (8.04 mg/kg), in the extract from green tea and heterocyclic compounds, such as furfural (7.67 mg/kg), in the extract from roasted green tea. Benzyl alcohol, which was proved to be an antioxidant, was identified both in a green tea extract (4.67 mg/kg) and in a roasted tea extract (1.35 mg/kg).     

Effect of the pyrrole polymerization mechanism on the antioxidative activity of nonenzymatic browning reactions

The present investigation was undertaken to study how the antioxidative activity (AA) of nonenzymatic browning reactions is changing at the same time that the browning (by the pyrrole polymerization mechanism) is being produced. The antioxidative activities of eight model pyrroles (pyrrole, 1-methylpyrrole, 2,5-dimethylpyrrole, 1,2,5-trimethylpyrrole, 2-acetylpyrrole, 2-acetyl-1-methylpyrrole, pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde, and 1-methyl-2-pyrrolecarboxaldehyde) as well as the browning reaction of 2-(1-hydroxyethyl)-1-methylpyrrole (HMP) and the dimer (DIM) produced during HMP browning were determined. The results obtained suggest that the AAs observed in nonenzymatic browning reactions are the result of the AAs of the different oxidized lipid/amino acid reaction products formed. Thus, the different pyrrole derivatives produced in these reactions had different AAs, and the highest AAs were observed for alkyl-substituted pyrroles without free alpha-positions. Because some of these pyrrole derivatives are implicated in nonenzymatic browning production and this browning production implies the loss of hydroxyl groups and the transformation of some pyrroles with one type of substitution into others, changes in AA during browning production were observed, and the resulting DIM derivative was more antioxidant than HMP or higher polymers. These results explain the AA observed in fatty acid/protein mixtures after slight oxidation and suggest that, when the pyrrole polymerization mechanism is predominant, slightly browned samples may be more antioxidant than samples in which nonenzymatic browning has been highly developed.     

Determination of antioxidant properties of aroma extracts from various beans

Aroma extracts from fresh soybeans, mung beans, kidney beans, and azuki beans were prepared using simultaneous steam distillation and solvent extraction (SDE) under mild conditions (55 degrees C and 95 mmHg). Extracts were examined for antioxidative activities in two different assays. The aroma extracts isolated from all beans inhibited the oxidation of hexanal for nearly one month at a level of 250 microL/mL. Mung bean and soybean extracts inhibited malonaldehyde (MA) formation from cod-liver oil by 86% and 88%, respectively, at the 250 microL/mL level. Azuki and kidney bean extracts inhibited MA formation from cod-liver oil by 76% and 53%, respectively, at the 250 microL/mL level. The antioxidative activities of mung bean and soybean extracts were comparable with that of the natural antioxidant, alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E).     

Effect of Digestive Enzyme Treatment on Antioxidant Properties of Germinated Green Gram Fortified with Minerals

The antioxidant activity (AA) of green gram germinated in mineral‐fortified water (with iron at 100 or 200 mg/100 mL or zinc at 50 or 100 mg/100 mL), cooked under pressure (PC), or microwaved and subjected to digestive enzyme treatment was determined by using three assay methods. Total AA showed that dehulled grains (DG) had higher AA than whole grains (WG). Cooking reduced the AA in both methods compared with raw grains with a lower percent retention of AA, although significant variations were not found between methods. The percent retention of AA in postdigestion samples was 22.68–51.39 (DG) and 15.67–44.0 (WG). Free radical scavenging activity indicated a different pattern, in which WG exhibited higher AA than DG and, among cooking methods, PC grains had higher activity. A reducing‐power assay showed similar results: DG had lower and PC samples had higher AA. Postdigestion AA of WG was higher for cooked than raw samples, although DG showed the opposite trend. In all cases, samples fortified with iron showed less AA because of prooxidant action of iron. In all assays, postdigestion samples had less activity than predigested extracts. In conclusion, germinated grains showed high AA, influenced by the presence of minerals, dehulling process, and cooking.     

Characterization of phytochemicals and antioxidant activities of a purple tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

A newly developed nongenetically modified purple tomato V118 was investigated for its phytochemical compositions and antioxidant activities. A highly efficient and sensitive UPLC method was developed for both the phenolics and carotenoids, which showed that in addition to the phytochemicals commonly known for tomatoes, V118 had a unique composition of anthocyanins. The total carotenoid content of V118 was 234.78 μg/g dry weight (DW), and the total phenolic content was 659.11 mg GAE/100 g DW. The antioxidant activities of the lipophilic extract as measured by the PCL and ORAC-L assays were 30.11 μmol TE/g DW and 11.97 μmol TE/g DW, respectively, while the hydrophilic extracts as determined by the ORAC-H and FRAP assays were 323.23 μmol TE/g DW and 54.95 μmol AAE/g DW, respectively. The LC-MS study showed three major anthocyanins, which were mainly acylglycosides of petunidin and malvidin. This study showed that purple tomatoes such as V118 possess additional phytochemicals like anthocyanins, which can potentially have added health benefits.     

Antioxidant potential of two red seaweeds from the Brazilian coasts

In this work, in vitro antioxidant activity of two Brazilian red seaweeds, Gracilaria birdiae and Gracilaria cornea, was characterized. The total phenolic content, the radical-scavenging activity and the antioxidant activity were determined in two solvent extracts of the algae. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) allowed identification of important antioxidant compounds. The ethanol extract of G. birdiae was found to have the highest value of total phenolic content: 1.13 mg of gallic acid equiv (GAE)/g of extract. The radical-scavenging activity of G. birdiae and G. cornea extracts has been evaluated at different extract concentrations; the IC(50) values of ethanolic extracts of G. cornea and G. birdiae were 0.77 and 0.76 mg mL(-1), respectively, while for methanolic extracts, the IC(50) values of G. cornea and G. birdiae were 0.86 and 0.76 mg mL(-1), respectively. The antioxidant activities of these two seaweeds' extracts as assessed by the β-carotene-linoleic acid assay were equally high, achieving values of β-carotene oxidation inhibition of up to 40%. Finally, in the methanolic extracts, LC-MS/MS allowed identification in both algae of two important antioxidants: apigenin and gallic acid.     

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.     

Changes in antioxidant effects and their relationship to phytonutrients in fruits of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) during maturation

Different fractions of sea buckthorn fruits were investigated for antioxidant activity and its relationship to different phytonutrients. Capacity to scavenge radicals of the crude extract, like the phenolic and ascorbate extracts, decreased significantly with increased maturation. The changes were strongly correlated with the content of total phenolics and ascorbic acid. Antioxidant capacity of the lipophilic extract increased significantly and corresponded to the increase in total carotenoids. The phenolic fractions made a major contribution to the total antioxidant capacity due to the high content of total phenolics. The lipophilic fractions were most effective if the comparison was based on the ratio between antioxidant capacity and content of antioxidants. The crude extract of fruits showed the highest inhibitory effect in both 2,2-azobis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile) (AMVN) and ascorbate-iron induced lipid peroxidations. The aqueous and ascorbate-free extracts showed higher inhibition in the AMVN assay, but lower inhibition in ascorbate-iron induced peroxidation, than the lipophilic extract.     

苹果渣中不同极性多酚的分离及体外抗氧化活性研究

为了优化苹果多酚提取工艺,进而提高苹果多酚提取物中强效多酚的含量,该文采用液-液萃取方法按极性大小对果渣多酚进行分离,进而采用1,1-二苯基-2-苦苯肼自由基法和铁离子还原/抗氧化力法对不同极性多酚体外抗氧化活性进行评价.结果表明:液-液萃取方法,可以实现不同极性多酚的有效分离,不同极性苹果多酚,其体外抗氧化活性有显著差异,水层多酚活性最强,其次为正丁醇层,乙酸乙酯层相对较弱,即多酚的抗氧化性与其极性呈正相关.因此,工业化提取苹果渣中多酚时,增大提取溶剂的极性有利于强效多酚的获取.     

Antioxidant properties of aroma compounds isolated from soybeans and mung beans

Aroma compounds contained in the extracts of soybean and mung bean that possess antioxidant activity were identified by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The major aroma constituents of soybeans were 1-octen-3-ol (13.699 ppm), maltol (1.662 ppm), phenylethyl alcohol (1.474 ppm), hexanol (1.430 ppm), and gamma-butyrolactone (1.370 ppm). The major aroma constituents of mung beans were hexanol (3.234 ppm), benzyl alcohol (2.060 ppm), gamma-butyrolactone (1.857 ppm), 2-methyl-2-propenal (1. 633 ppm), and pentanol (1.363 ppm). The major aroma chemicals of soybeans and mung beans were examined for antioxidative activities in two different assays. Eugenol, maltol, benzyl alcohol, and 1-octen-3-ol showed potent antioxidative activities in two different assays. Eugenol, maltol, benzyl alcohol, and 1-octen-3-ol inhibited the oxidation of hexanal by 100%, 93%, 84%, and 32%, respectively, for a period of 40 days at the 500 microg/mL level. Eugenol, maltol, benzyl alcohol, and 1-octen-3-ol inhibited malonaldehyde (MA) formation from cod liver oil by 91%, 78%, 78%, and 78%, respectively, at the 160 microg/mL level. The antioxidative activity of eugenol was comparable to that of the natural antioxidant alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E).     

Assessing antioxidant and prooxidant activities of phenolic compounds

Methods for determining primary antioxidant activity were evaluated. A beta-carotene bleaching method and a free radical method using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH(*)) were modified to rapidly test samples for potential antioxidant activity. Malonaldehyde production in a linoleic acid emulsion system assayed by an HPLC method was also used to determine antioxidant and prooxidant activities initiated by a metal catalyst (Cu(2+)). All methods were used to assess activity of selected phenolic compounds including several anthocyanidins/anthocyanins and selected berry extracts. Most phenolic compounds had prooxidant activity at low concentrations, unlike synthetic antioxidants (BHA and BHT). Compounds with similar structures exhibited comparable trends in antioxidant activity. Antioxidant activity usually increased with an increase in the number of hydroxyl groups and a decrease in glycosylation. The antioxidant activity of many phenolic compounds and extracts was comparable to those of synthetic antioxidants using the beta-carotene bleaching and HPLC methods.     

Determination of antioxidant potential of volatile extracts isolated from various herbs and spices

Antioxidant activities of volatile extracts isolated from thyme, basil, rosemary, chamomile, lavender, and cinnamon were evaluated by two independent assays: the aldehyde/carboxylic acid assay and the conjugated diene assay. The volatile extracts were prepared from dried herbs and spices using liquid-liquid continuous extraction following steam distillation under reduced pressure (55 degrees C and 95 mmHg). The antioxidant activities of the extracts decreased in the following order in both of the lipophilic assay systems: thyme > basil > rosemary > chamomile > lavender and cinnamon. Thyme and basil extracts inhibited the oxidation of hexanal for 40 days at the levels of 10 microg/mL and 50 microg/mL, respectively. The extracts of thyme and basil were effective in retarding methyl linoleate deterioration at 40 degrees C, with activity increasing with concentration in the range 10-200 microg/mL. At a concentration of 50 microg/mL, thyme extract was similar in antioxidant activity to BHT and alpha-tocopherol in the conjugated diene assay. The antioxidant potentials of the volatile extracts used in this study were accurately measured by the lipophilic systems, such as the aldehyde/carboxylic acid assay and the conjugated diene assay.     

Correlation analyses of phytochemical composition, chemical, and cellular measures of antioxidant activity of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. Var. italica)

Chemical measures of antioxidant activity within the plant, such as the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay, have been reported for many plant-based foods. However, the extent to which chemical measures relate to cellular measures of oxidative stress is unclear. The natural variation in the phytochemical content of 22 broccoli genotypes was used to determine correlations among chemical composition (carotenoids, tocopherols and polyphenolics), chemical antioxidant activity (ORAC), and measures of cellular antioxidation [prevention of DNA oxidative damage and of oxidation of the biomarker dichlorofluorescein (DCFH) in HepG2 cells] using hydrophilic and lipophilic extracts of broccoli. For lipophilic extracts, ORAC (ORAC-L) correlated with inhibition of cellular oxidation of DCFH (DCFH-L, r = 0.596, p = 0.006). Also, DNA damage in the presence of the lipophilic extract was negatively correlated with both chemical and cellular measures of antioxidant activity as measured by ORAC-L (r = -0.705, p = 0.015) and DCFH-L (r = -0.671, p = 0.048), respectively. However, no correlations were observed for hydrophilic (-H) extracts, except between polyphenol content and ORAC (ORAC-H; r = 0.778, p < 0.001). Inhibition of cellular oxidation by hydrophilic extracts (DCFH-H) and ORAC-H were approximately 8- and 4-fold greater than DCFH-L and ORAC-L, respectively. Whether ORAC-H has more biological relevance than ORAC-L because of its magnitude or whether ORAC-L bears more biological relevance because it relates to cellular estimates of antioxidant activity remains to be determined. Chemical estimates of antioxidant capacity within the plant may not accurately reflect the complex nature of the full antioxidant activity of broccoli extracts within cells.     

Antioxidant activity of plant extracts containing phenolic compounds.

The antioxidative activity of a total of 92 phenolic extracts from edible and nonedible plant materials (berries, fruits, vegetables, herbs, cereals, tree materials, plant sprouts, and seeds) was examined by autoxidation of methyl linoleate. The content of total phenolics in the extracts was determined spectrometrically according to the Folin-Ciocalteu procedure and calculated as gallic acid equivalents (GAE). Among edible plant materials, remarkable high antioxidant activity and high total phenolic content (GAE > 20 mg/g) were found in berries, especially aronia and crowberry. Apple extracts (two varieties) showed also strong antioxidant activity even though the total phenolic contents were low (GAE < 12.1 mg/g). Among nonedible plant materials, high activities were found in tree materials, especially in willow bark, spruce needles, pine bark and cork, and birch phloem, and in some medicinal plants including heather, bog-rosemary, willow herb, and meadowsweet. In addition, potato peel and beetroot peel extracts showed strong antioxidant effects. To utilize these significant sources of natural antioxidants, further characterization of the phenolic composition is needed.     

Antioxidant activity in common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Beans were pearled to evaluate the feasibility of increasing antioxidant activity and phenolic antioxidants. Phenolics were concentrated mostly in the hull fraction at about 56 mg of catechin equivalents per gram of sample. The methanolic extracts of the pearled bean samples were screened for antioxidant potential using the beta-carotene-linoleate and the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) in vitro model systems. The pearled material, also referred to as milled samples, exhibited antioxidant activity that correlated with phenolic content and inhibited DPPH significantly in a dose-dependent manner. Phenolics and antioxidant activities were also examined in chromatographic fractions of methanolic extracts of manually obtained hulls that represented a model used previously to ascertain antimutagenic activity. Fractions extracted with ethyl acetate/acetone and acetone displayed antioxidant activity, which implies potent free radical scavenging activity with antimutagenic activity.