Effect of heat treatment on the phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity of citrus peel extract

This paper reports the effects of heat treatment on huyou (Citrus paradisi Changshanhuyou) peel in terms of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with a photodiode array (PDA) detector was used in this study for the analysis of phenolic acids (divided into four fractions: free, ester, glycoside, and ester-bound) and flavanone glycosides (FGs) in huyou peel (HP) before and after heat treatment. The results showed that after heat treatment, the free fraction of phenolic acids increased, whereas ester, glycoside, and ester-bound fractions decreased and the content of total FGs declined (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of methanol extract of HP increased (P < 0.05), which was evaluated by total phenolics contents (TPC) assay, 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS*+) method, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The correlation coefficients among TPC, ABTS, FRAP assay, and total cinnamics and benzoics (TCB) in the free fraction were significantly high (P < 0.05), which meant that the increase of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of HP extract was due at least in part to the increase of TCB in free fraction. In addition, FGs may be destroyed when heated at higher temperature for a long time (for example, 120 degrees C for 90 min or 150 degrees C for 30 min). Therefore, it is suggested that a proper and reasonable heat treatment could be used to enhance the antioxidant capacity of citrus peel.     

Investigation of heat treating conditions for enhancing the anti-inflammatory activity of citrus fruit (Citrus reticulata) peels

In traditional Chinese medicine, dried citrus fruit peels are widely used as remedies to alleviate coughs and reduce phlegm in the respiratory tract. Induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in inflammatory cells and increased airway production of nitric oxide (NO) are well recognized as key events in inflammation-related respiratory tract diseases. Despite the fact that the enhancing effect of heat treatment on the antioxidant activity of citrus fruit peels has been well documented, the impact of heat treatment on citrus peel beneficial activities regarding anti-inflammation is unclear. To address this issue, we determined the anti-inflammatory activities of heat-treated citrus peel extracts by measuring their inhibitory effect upon NO production by lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Results showed that the anti-inflammatory activity of citrus peel was significantly elevated after 100 degrees C heat treatment in a time-dependent fashion during a period from 0 to 120 min. Inhibition of iNOS gene expression was the major NO-suppressing mechanism of the citrus peel extract. Additionally, the anti-inflammatory activity of citrus peel extract highly correlated with the content of nobiletin and tangeretin. Conclusively, proper and reasonable heat treatment helped to release nobiletin and tangeretin, which were responsible for the increased anti-inflammatory activity of heat-treated citrus peels.     

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

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

High-amylose corn exhibits better antioxidant activity than typical and waxy genotypes

The consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains rich in antioxidative phytochemicals is associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, coronary heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, cataract, and aged-related functional decline. For example, phenolic acids are among the main antioxidative phytochemicals in grains that have been shown to be beneficial to human health. Corn (Zea mays L.) is a major staple food in several parts of the world; thus, the antioxidant activity of several corn types was evaluated. The 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl free radical (DPPH*) scavenging activity, total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant capacity of lipid-soluble substances (ACL), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), and phenolic acid compositions of typical and mutant genotypes (typical-1, waxy, typical-2, and high-amylose) were investigated. The DPPH* scavenging activity at 60 min was 34.39-44.51% in methanol extracts and 60.41-67.26% in HCl/methanol (1/99, v/v) extracts of corn. The DPPH* scavenging activity of alkaline hydrolysates of corn ranged from 48.63 to 64.85%. The TPC ranged from 0.67 to 1.02 g and from 0.91 to 2.15 g of ferulic acid equiv/kg of corn in methanol and HCl/methanol extracts, respectively. The TPC of alkaline hydrolysates ranged from 2.74 to 6.27 g of ferulic acid equiv/kg of corn. The ACL values were 0.41-0.80 and 0.84-1.59 g of Trolox equiv/kg of corn in methanol and HCl/methanol extracts, respectively. The ORAC values were 10.57-12.47 and 18.76-24.92 g of Trolox equiv/kg of corn in methanol and HCl/methanol extracts, respectively. ORAC values of alkaline hydrolysates ranged from 42.85 to 68.31 g of Trolox equiv/kg of corn. The composition of phenolic acids in alkaline hydrolysates of corn was p-hydroxybenzoic acid (5.08-10.6 mg/kg), vanillic acid (3.25-14.71 mg/kg), caffeic acid (2.32-25.73 mg/kg), syringic acid (12.37-24.48 mg/kg), p-coumaric acid (97.87-211.03 mg/kg), ferulic acid (1552.48-2969.10 mg/kg), and o-coumaric acid (126.53-575.87 mg/kg). Levels of DPPH* scavenging activity, TPC, ACL, and ORAC in HCl/methanol extracts were obviously higher than those present in methanol extracts. There was no significant loss of antioxidant capacity when corn was dried at relatively high temperatures (65 and 93 degrees C) postharvest as compared to drying at ambient temperatures (27 degrees C). Alkaline hydrolysates showed very high TPC, ACL, and ORAC values when compared to methanol and HCl/methanol extracts. High-amylose corn had a better antioxidant capacity than did typical (nonmutant) corn genotypes.     

Antioxidant properties of malt model systems

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of kilning and roasting temperatures on antioxidant activity of malt model systems prepared from combinations of glucose, proline, and ferulic acid. Model systems (initial a(w) = 0.09, 6% moisture) were heated at 60 degrees C for up to 24 h, at 90 degrees C for up to 120 min, and at 220 degrees C for up to 15 min. The antioxidant activity of the glucose-proline-ferulic acid model system increased significantly on heating at 60 degrees C for 24 h or at 90 degrees C for 120 min. In contrast, the glucose-proline, ferulic acid-glucose, and ferulic acid-proline systems presented either nonsignificantly increased or unchanged antioxidant activity. The antioxidant activity of both the glucose-proline-ferulic acid and glucose-proline model systems increased significantly after heating at 220 degrees C for 10 min, followed by a significant decrease at 15 min. The data suggest that (1) at 60 degrees C, ferulic acid reacts with Maillard reaction products, resulting in a significant increase in antioxidant activity; (2) at 90 degrees C, the antioxidant activity of the glucose-proline-ferulic system comes from both ferulic acid and Maillard reaction products; and (3) at 220 degrees C, the major contributors to antioxidant activity in glucose-proline-ferulic acid and glucose-proline systems are glucose-proline reaction products.     

Effect of roasting on phenolic content and antioxidant activities of whole cashew nuts, kernels, and testa

The effect of roasting on the content of phenolic compounds and antioxidant properties of cashew nuts and testa was studied. Whole cashew nuts, subjected to low-temperature (LT) and high-temperature (HT) treatments, were used to determine the antioxidant activity of products. Antioxidant activities of cashew nut, kernel, and testa phenolics extracted increased as the roasting temperature increased. The highest activity, as determined by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity, Trolox equivalent antioxidant activity (TEAC), and reducing power, was achieved when nuts were roasted at 130 °C for 33 min. Furthermore, roasting increased the total phenolic content (TPC) in both the soluble and bound extracts from whole nut, kernel, and testa but decreased that of the proanthocyanidins (PC) except for the soluble extract of cashew kernels. In addition, cashew testa afforded a higher extract yield, TPC, and PC in both soluble and bound fractions compared to that in whole nuts and kernels. Phenolic acids, namely, syringic (the predominant one), gallic, and p-coumaric acids, were identified. Flavonoids, namely, (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, and epigallocatechin, were also identified, and their contents increased with increasing temperature. The results so obtained suggest that HT-short time (HTST) roasting effectively enhances the antioxidant activity of cashew nuts and testa.     

Total Phenolics and Antioxidant Activity of Water and Ethanolic Extracts from Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles With or Without Microwave Irradiation

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of extracting phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity from distillers' dried grains with solubles (DDGS) with water, 50% aqueous ethanol, and absolute ethanol, using microwave irradiation or a water bath at various temperatures. DDGS was extracted for 15 min with each solvent while heating at 23, 50, 100, and 150°C by microwave irradiation or in a water bath at 23, 50, and 100°C. Phenolic content of extracts increased with increasing temperature to a maximum of 12.02 mg/g in DDGS extracts that were microwave irradiated in water or with 50% aqueous ethanol at 150°C. Antioxidant activity range was 1.49–6.53 μmol of Trolox equivalents/g of DDGS. Highest antioxidant activities were obtained from 50% aqueous ethanol extracts at all temperatures, and water extracts that were heated at 100 and 150°C. These data indicate that DDGS extracts with high phenolic content and antioxidant activity can be obtained from DDGS, particularly with the use of water or 50% ethanol and high temperature (100 or 150°C). This may be valuable to ethanol manufacturers, livestock producers, and food and nutraceutical companies.     

Antioxidant properties of water extracts from Cassia tora L. in relation to the degree of roasting

The antioxidant properties of water extracts from Cassia tora L. (WECT) prepared under different degrees of roasting were investigated. The water extracts of unroasted C. tora L. (WEUCT) showed 94% inhibition of peroxidation of linoleic acid at a dose of 0.2 mg/mL, which was higher than that of alpha-tocopherol (82%). Water extracts prepared from C. tora L. roasted at 175 degrees C for 5 min and at 200 degrees C for 5 min exhibited 83% and 82%, respectively, inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation. This result indicated that the antioxidant activities of WECT decreased with longer roasting time or higher roasting temperature. The IC(50) of WEUCT in liposome oxidation induced by the Fenton reaction was 0.41 mg/mL, which was higher than that of alpha-tocopherol (IC(50) = 0.55 mg/mL). WEUCT also exhibited good antioxidant activity in enzymatic and nonenzymatic microsome oxidative systems. The water extracts of roasted C. tora L. increased in the degree of browning and produced chemiluminescence when compared with the unroasted sample. However, the total polyphenolic compounds of WECT decreased after the roasting process finished. In conclusion, the decrease in the antioxidant activity of water extracts from roasted C. tora L. might have been due to the degradation of Maillard reaction products and the decrease of polyphenolic compounds.     

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.     

体外模拟胃肠消化对不同热处理荷叶中酚类物质释放量及抗氧化活性的影响

为探讨体外模拟胃肠消化对不同热处理荷叶中酚类物质释放及抗氧化活性的影响,采用真空微波、湿热蒸汽和煮沸3种热加工方式和体外模拟胃肠消化对不同生长期荷叶进行处理。结果表明,荷叶中酚类物质的释放与荷叶生长过程中荷叶直径大小呈正相关,其中直径为56 cm的荷叶总酚释放量最高。此外,在不同消化方式不同热处理下,真空微波干燥处理的荷叶(V56)总酚和总黄酮释放量均最高,且其FRAP、ABTS抗氧化能力也最强。与对照组相比,模拟胃液处理显著提高了真空微波热处理组荷叶的总酚释放量,显著降低了煮沸处理组荷叶的总酚释放量,对湿热蒸汽处理组荷叶的总酚释放量无影响,而模拟胃液处理均显著降低了不同热处理组荷叶的总黄酮释放量;模拟肠液处理均显著增加了不同热处理组荷叶的总酚和总黄酮释放量。与对照组相比,模拟胃液消化显著提高了真空微波处理组和湿热蒸汽处理组荷叶的FRAP抗氧化能力,降低了煮沸处理组荷叶的FRAP抗氧化能力;模拟肠液消化显著提高了真空微波组荷叶的FRAP抗氧化能力。模拟胃液消化中真空微波处理组的ABTS抗氧化能力与对照相比有所降低,而模拟肠液消化显著提高了3种热加工处理组荷叶的ABTS抗氧化能力。本研究结果为荷叶的开发利用提供了技术支撑和理论依据。     

Chemical composition, antioxidant properties, and thermal stability of a phytochemical enriched oil from Acai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.)

Phenolic compounds present in crude oil extracts from acai fruit ( Euterpe oleracea) were identified for the first time. The stability of acai oil that contained three concentrations of phenolics was evaluated under short- and long-term storage for lipid oxidation and phenolic retention impacting antioxidant capacity. Similar to acai fruit itself, acai oil isolates contained phenolic acids such as vanillic acid (1,616 +/- 94 mg/kg), syringic acid (1,073 +/- 62 mg/kg), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (892 +/- 52 mg/kg), protocatechuic acid (630 +/- 36 mg/kg), and ferulic acid (101 +/- 5.9 mg/kg) at highly enriched concentrations in relation to acai pulp as well as (+)-catechin (66.7 +/- 4.8 mg/kg) and numerous procyanidin oligomers (3,102 +/- 130 mg/kg). Phenolic acids experienced up to 16% loss after 10 weeks of storage at 20 or 30 degrees C and up to 33% loss at 40 degrees C. Procyanidin oligomers degraded more extensively (23% at 20 degrees C, 39% at 30 degrees C, and 74% at 40 degrees C), in both high- and low-phenolic acai oils. The hydrophilic antioxidant capacity of acai oil isolates with the highest phenolic concentration was 21.5 +/- 1.7 micromol Trolox equivalents/g, and the total soluble phenolic content was 1252 +/- 11 mg gallic acid equivalents/kg, and each decreased by up to 30 and 40%, respectively, during long-term storage. The short-term heating stability at 150 and 170 degrees C for up to 20 min exhibited only minor losses (<10%) in phenolics and antioxidant capacity. Because of its high phenolic content, the phytochemical-enriched acai oil from acai fruit offers a promising alternative to traditional tropical oils for food, supplements, and cosmetic applications.     

The Composition of Volatile Aroma Components, Flavanones, and Polymethoxylated Flavones in Shiikuwasha (Citrus depressa Hayata) Peels of Different Cultivation Lines

Citrus peels are important sources of various pleasant aroma compounds and valuable bioactive substances. To investigate differences in the composition and content of Shiikuwasha (Citrus depressa Hayata) peels from different cultivation lines, the composition of volatile aroma components, flavanones, and polymethoxylated flavones (PMFs) in four Shiikuwasha cultivation lines was examined. The composition of volatile aroma components in cold-pressed extracts of Shiikuwasha peels was analyzed using gas chromatography-flame ionization detection and gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry. The extracts contained mainly monoterpene hydrocarbons (93.40-97.25%), including limonene (46.52-68.26%) and γ-terpinene (21.48-30.52%). Differences in the composition of volatile aroma compounds in the Shiikuwasha cultivation lines were revealed using principal component analysis. Additionally, the composition of flavanones and PMFs was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography methods. Neohesperidin (96.58%) was the predominant flavanone in 'Izumi kugani' peel, while the other peels had high hesperidin contents (89.26-98.66%). Moreover, the PMFs of Shiikuwasha peels were composed of nobiletin (56.74-64.77%) and tangeretin (23.17-34.70%).     

Which polyphenolic compounds contribute to the total antioxidant activities of apple?

The antioxidant activities of eight apple cultivars were studied by using the ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP), the beta-carotene-linoleic acid model system (beta-CLAMS), and the photochemiluminescent (PCL) assays. The antioxidant activity of apples is highly correlated to the total phenolic content (TPC) measured by the Folin-Ciocalteu method and the total polyphenolic index (TPI) obtained by HPLC. Extracts of the peel and flesh were analyzed and assayed separately. The FRAP activities of both peel and flesh extracts correlate well with the TPC (r = 0.95 and 0.99, respectively) and the TPI (r = 0.82 and 0.99, respectively). Similar results were found in the beta-CLAMS activities, showing correlation coefficients of r = 0.90 and 0.91 with the TPC for the peel and flesh extracts and of r = 0.90 and 0.84 with the TPI for the peel and flesh extracts, respectively. The antioxidant activity measured by the PCL assay was not correlated with TPC or TPI due to the lack of integratable lag phase in this method with the flavan-3-ols/procyanidins. Among the five major polyphenolic groups, flavan-3-ols/procyanidins had the highest positive correlation with the FRAP and beta-CLAMS activities: r = 0.84 and 0.88 for the peel extracts, respectively; and r = 0.98 and 0.87 for the flesh extracts, respectively. At individual compound level, epicatechin and procyanidin B2 were the major contributors to the antioxidant activity of apple. Hydroxycinnamic acids may have a significant role in the flesh.     

Antioxidant properties and metal chelating activity of glucose-lysine heated mixtures: relationships with mineral absorption across Caco-2 cell monolayers

Model Maillard reaction products were generated by heating glucose-lysine mixtures (GL) at 150 degrees C for different times (15, 30, 60, and 90 min). Samples were characterized by free lysine, browning, and UV-visible spectra and assessed for antioxidant properties, metal chelating ability, and effects on mineral absorption across Caco-2 monolayers. It was found that the capacity to retard lipid peroxidation in a model linoleic acid emulsion system increased with heating time up to 60 min and then leveled off, whereas the scavenging activity toward 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radicals increased in early periods of the reaction (15 and 30 min of heating) and decreased thereafter. The iron binding affinity of the different samples was not correlated with antioxidant properties, and iron transport in Caco-2 cells was unchanged between samples. On the contrary, copper chelating activity showed significant correlation with free radical scavenging activity and with copper absorption across intestinal cells. It can be concluded that severe heat treatment of GL mixtures maintained the ability to reduce lipid peroxidation but decreased the free radical scavenging activity. Moreover, antiradical activity, copper chelation ability, and positive effects on copper absorption were correlated and associated to compounds formed at early stages of the Maillard reaction.     

Antioxidant activity of extracts of black sesame seed (Sesamum indicum L.) by supercritical carbon dioxide extraction

Antioxidant activities of extracts derived from sesame seed by supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO(2)) extraction and by n-hexane were determined using alpha,alpha-diphenyl-beta-picylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and linoleic acid system methods. The highest extracted yield was given at 35 degrees C, 40 MPa, and a CO(2) flow rate of 2.5 mL min(-1) by an orthogonal experiment. The yields of extracts increased with increasing pressure, and yields at 40 and 30 MPa were higher than that by solvent extraction at 46.50%. Results from the linoleic acid system showed that the antioxidant activity follows the order: extract at 35 degrees C, 20 MPa > BHT > extract at 55 degrees C, 40 MPa > extract at 55 degrees C, 30 MPa > Trolox > solvent extraction > alpha-tocopherol. The SC-CO(2) extracts exhibited significantly higher antioxidant activities comparable to that by n-hexane extraction. The extracts at 30 MPa presented the highest antioxidant activities assessed in the DPPH method. At 20 MPa, the EC(50) increased with temperature, which indicated that the antioxidant activity was decreased in a temperature-dependent manner. The significant differences of antioxidant activities were found between the extracts by SC-CO(2) extraction and n-hexane. However, no significant differences were exhibited among the extracts by SC-CO(2) extraction. The vitamin E concentrations were also significantly higher in SC-CO(2) extracts than in n-hexane extracts, and its concentrations in extracts corresponded with the antioxidant activity of extracts.     

Microwave heating of tea residue yields polysaccharides, polyphenols, and plant biopolyester

Microwave heating was used to produce aqueous-soluble components from green, oolong, and black tea residues. Heating at 200-230 degrees C for 2 min extracted 40-50% of polysaccharides and 60-70% of the polyphenols. Solubilization of arabinose and galactose by autohydrolysis occurred with heating above 170 degrees C, whereas heating above 200 degrees C was necessary to solubilize xylose. Catechins were soluble in water by heating at low temperature (110 degrees C); however, new polyphenols having strong antioxidant activity were produced above 200 degrees C. The amount of solubilized materials and antioxidant activity increased with increased fermentation of harvested tea leaves (green tea < oolong tea < black tea). Cutin, a plant biopolyester, remained in the residue after heating as did cellulose and lignin/tannin. The predominant cutin monomer that was recovered was 9,10-epoxy-18-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid, followed by dihydroxyhexadecanoic acid and 9,10,18-trihydroxyoctadecanoic acid.     

Fermentation as a bio-process to obtain functional soybean flours

The effect of fermentation on the antioxidant compounds [vitamins C and E, total phenolic compounds (TPC), and reduced glutathione (GSH)], and antioxidant capacity [superoxide anion scavenging activity (SOD-like activity), peroxyl radical-trapping capacity (PRTC), inhibition of phosphatidylcholine (PC) peroxidation, and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC)] of soybean (Glycine max cv. Merit) was studied. Fermentation was carried out in solid state in cracked seeds inoculated with Aspergillus oryzae, Rhizopus oryzae, Bacillus subtilis, and Lactobacillus plantarum and in liquid state either in cracked seeds or milled soybean flours fermented naturally by only the microorganisms present in the seeds or by inoculation with L. plantarum. Vitamin C was not detected in the studied samples. Fermentation caused a decrease in vitamin E activity, except when cracked seed was fermented with A. oryzae, R. oryzae, or B. subtilis that increased 31, 30, and 89%, respectively. Fermentation produced an increase in TPC content and did not affect or reduce the GSH content. Fermentation decreased SOD-like activity drastically, while PRTC increased except when it was carried out naturally in cracked seed. TEAC values rose sharply when soybeans were fermented with B. subtilis. Processed soybean extracts inhibited PC peroxidation in comparison with the control assay. On the basis of the results obtained, the relative contributions of vitamin E, TPC, and GSH to antioxidant capacity were calculated and results showed a very high TPC contribution and a low contribution of GSH and vitamin E activity. Optimum results for functional soybean flours were achieved when fermentation was carried out with B. subtilis inoculum.     

Optimization of the extraction of antioxidants from Dunaliella salina microalga by pressurized liquids

In this work, extraction of antioxidant compounds from Dunaliella salina microalga is optimized by combining pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and experimental design (three-level factorial design) with three different solvents (hexane, ethanol, and water). Two main factors were considered, the extraction temperature (40, 100, and 160 degrees C) and the extraction time (5, 17.5, and 30 min). As response variables, the extraction yield (percent dry weight/initial weight) and the antioxidant activity of the extracts (determined using the TEAC method) were used. The parameters of the model were estimated by multiple linear regression. Results showed that the extraction temperature was the factor having the strongest influence (positive) on the two response variables. The best yields were obtained with ethanol at the higher extraction temperature and time tested. Besides, although hexane extracts provided the best antioxidant activity, ethanol extracts were also very active. The chemical characterization of ethanol extracts was carried out using HPLC-DAD, and attempts have been made to correlate their chemical composition with the antioxidant activity measured. Results pointed out that the extracts contained, besides all-trans-beta-carotene and isomers, several different minor carotenoids that seemed to make a contribution to the antioxidant activity of the extracts.     

Antioxidant properties of bran extracts from "Akron" wheat grown at different locations

Bran extracts of Akron wheat grown at four nonirrigated and one irrigated testing locations were examined and compared for their free radical scavenging properties against the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH(*)) and the radical cation ABTS(*)(+), chelating capacities, and total phenolic content (TPC) to determine the potential effects of environmental factors on the antioxidant properties of hard winter wheat. The environmental factors included total solar radiation, average daily solar radiation, and number of hours exceeding 32 degrees C. The results showed that bran samples from different growing locations may significantly differ in their radical scavenging activities against both DPPH(*) and ABTS(*)(+), chelating capacities, and TPC. A significant negative correlation was detected between the chelating activities of the bran samples from the four nonirrigated locations and total solar or daily average solar radiation (r = -0.999 and P = 0.001). These data suggest potential influences of growing conditions on the antioxidant properties of hard winter wheat and the possibility of producing wheat that is strong in a selected antioxidant property by optimizing the growing conditions of a selected wheat variety. More research is required to further investigate the relationship among antioxidant properties and environmental factors using different wheat varieties and larger sample sizes.     

Racemization kinetics of aspartic acid in fish material under different conditions of moisture, pH, and oxygen pressure.

The racemization kinetics of aspartic acid in heat-treated whole herring have been studied under conditions of treatment comparable to those that may occur in processing of fish meal. D-Aspartic acid content in the samples has been measured by RP-HPLC with precolumn automatic derivatization. The major parameters affecting the rate of racemization of aspartic acid k(Asp) have been demonstrated to be temperature (elevation of temperature from 95 to 120 degrees C resulted in an increase of k(Asp) from 0.46 to 3.39x10(-3) min(-1)), moisture of the raw material (reduction of the moisture content of the raw material from 80 to 15% lowered k(Asp) measured at 95 degrees C from 0.46 to 0.06x10(-3) min(-1)), and to a lesser extent, pH (k(Asp) at 95 degrees C was lowered from 0.46 to 0.37x10(-3) min(-1) following a decrease of pH from 7.0 to 4.0). No significant effects on the racemization rate of aspartic acid was observed for reducing the oxygen pressure to 0.8%. The results from the present study show that the content of D-aspartic acid in fish material is a function of heat exposure and may be used to predict the thermal history of fish meal.