Antioxidant Content (antioxidant + content)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Antioxidants in aerial parts of Hypericum sampsonii, Hypericum japonicum and Hypericum perforatum

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 11 2009
Chung Li Chen
Summary Antioxidants contents and antioxidative enzymes and their activities in fresh aerial tissues of Hypericum sampsonii (Sampson's St John's Wort), Hypericum japonicum (Japanese St John's Wort) and Hypericum perforatum were investigated. Hypericum sampsonii contained more total ascorbate [34.33 ,mol g,1 fresh weight (FW)] than H. perforatum (57% less) and H. japonicum (82% less). It also contained more thiol and phenolics than two other species. Hypericum japonicum had highest superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (8.74 mmol min,1 g,1 FW), followed by H. sampsonii (2% less) and H. perforatum (37% less). Hot-air dried H. perforatum materials contained more thiol [208.7 ,mol g,1 dry weight (DW)] and phenolics (352.82 mg g,1 DW) than freeze-dried and fresh materials. Both drying treatments decreased the activities of antioxidative enzymes in aerial tissues of H. perforatum. However, freeze-dried H. perforatum contained the highest SOD activity (5.42 mmol min,1 g,1 DW) among the antioxidative enzymes measured from both freeze-dried and hot-air dried tissues (ranged from 0.02 to 2.65 ,mol min,1 g,1 DW). [source]


Electroanalytical Approach to Evaluate Antioxidant Capacity in Honeys: Proposal of an Antioxidant Index

ELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 18 2006
Mónica Ávila
Abstract A novel electrochemical route to estimate the antioxidant capacity in honey samples is proposed just using flow injection analysis. The analytical strategy involved the selective oxidation of polyphenolic compounds using two different target potentials, +0.8 and +0.5,V, at two different pHs. An oxidation current obtained at the fixed potential was used as an analytical guide of the antioxidant activity of the target honeys. Chemometrics (correlation and principal component analysis, PCA) demonstrated the significance of the electrochemical protocol versus the traditional spectrophotometric ones in the evaluation of antioxidant capacity and revealed the role of detection potential as a screening variable. The proposed protocol is very simple and fast. However, the most relevant merit of the electrochemical procedure is its inherent versatility which allows the evaluation of the antioxidant activity under predesigned controlled oxidation conditions. In addition, since intercept was statistically zero, its corresponding antioxidant content using just a calibration factor is proposed thus simplifying the calibration-analysis process. As a result, an electrochemical antioxidant index (EAI) is proposed. [source]


HEALTH BENEFITS OF APPLE PHENOLICS FROM POSTHARVEST STAGES FOR POTENTIAL TYPE 2 DIABETES MANAGEMENT USING IN VITRO MODELS

JOURNAL OF FOOD BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 1 2010
I. ADYANTHAYA
ABSTRACT An increasing number of studies indicate that regular intake of fruits and vegetables have clear links to reduced risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The beneficial effects in many cases have been attributed to the phenolic and antioxidant content of the fruits and vegetables. Apples are a major source of fiber and contain good dietary phenolics with antioxidant function. Previous epidemiological studies have indicated that intake of apples reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Our studies indicate that this reduced risk is potentially because of the modulation of postprandial glucose increase by phenolics present in apples via inhibition of, -glucosidase. Phenolic content was evaluated during 3 months of postharvest storage of four varieties of apples and results indicated positive linkage to enhanced postharvest preservation and, -glucosidase inhibition. These in vitro results along with existing epidemiological studies provide strong biochemical rationale for further animal or human clinical studies. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The understanding of phenolic-linked antioxidant enzyme responses during postharvest storage of apples has implications for using the same phenolic functional ingredients toward health benefits such as ,-glucosidase inhibition linked to glycemic index control associated with type 2 diabetes. Therefore strategies to understand phenolic-linked postharvest preservation and natural treatments to extend this preservation in selected varieties, such as McIntosh and Cortland in this study, can be basis for food ingredient design for health benefits. These strategies can then be extended to prolong postharvest preservation and enhance phenolic linked human health benefits of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. [source]


CLONAL HERBAL EXTRACTS AS ELICITORS OF PHENOLIC SYNTHESIS IN DARK-GERMINATED MUNGBEANS FOR IMPROVING NUTRITIONAL VALUE WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR FOOD SAFETY

JOURNAL OF FOOD BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2002
PATRICK McCUE
ABSTRACT Plant phenolics are secondary metabolites that confer beneficial properties to the plants that produce them. Extracts made from plants that produce these phytochemicals are increasingly being recognized for their antimicrobial properties. In this study, we investigated extracts made from high-phenolics-producing clonal lines of oregano and thyme for potential as elicitors of phenolic antioxidant production in dark-germinated mungbean (Vigna radiata,). Mungbean was dark-germinated under the rationale that any energy stored in the bean seed in the form of starch may potentially be utilized for enhanced phenolics production, since without a light source the dark-germinated seedling may not stimulate the development of photosynthetic components. Wafer-based herb extracts showed the greatest ability to stimulate phenolic content in dark-germinated mungbeans. Three of the oregano extracts were investigated further and showed an ability to stimulate glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), and antioxidant activity. These results suggest that the extracts contain an active elicitor that stimulates phenolic antioxidant content, as well as activity of the pentose-phosphate pathway. In addition, the results of this study suggest that extracts of high-phenolics-producing clonal plants may have potential in the food and agriculture industry as seed treatments for preventing bacterial infection in germinating sprouts by stimulating phenolic antioxidant-producing pathways, as well as for increasing the nutritional value of sprouts for human consumption. [source]


Effect of hot air treatments on senescence and quality parameters of harvested broccoli (Brassica oleracea L var Italica) heads

JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 7 2005
María L Costa
Abstract Treatments with hot air were applied to broccoli (Brassica oleracea L) florets to investigate the effect on several quality and senescence parameters. To select the optimum treatment, florets were treated with different combinations of time/temperature ranging from 1 to 3 h and 37 to 50 °C and then placed in darkness at 20 °C. Most treatments delayed yellowing and loss of chlorophylls, except those performed at 37 °C, which accelerated senescence. Treatment at 48 °C for 3 h caused the highest delay in chlorophyll loss and was chosen to analyse its effect on quality and senescence. Non-treated florets showed yellowing and reduced their chlorophyll content during storage. Heat treatment delayed the onset of chlorophyll catabolism by 1 day and slowed down the rate of degradation. Treated florets also showed lower losses of total sugars and proteins and an inhibition of protein solubilisation. Control heads showed an increment in CO2 production, which was not detected in heat-treated florets. Total antioxidants decreased and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) increased during storage. The treatment delayed the decrease in antioxidant content and inhibited the increment in TBARS. In conclusion, treatment at 48 °C for 3 h delayed broccoli senescence at 20 °C and contributed to maintaining an overall better quality of the product. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


Effects of environmental factors and agricultural techniques on antioxidantcontent of tomatoes

JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 5 2003
Yvon Dumas
Abstract Antioxidants are believed to be important in the prevention of diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. Lycopene is one of the main antioxidants to be found in fresh tomatoes and processed tomato products. The lycopene content also accounts for the redness of the fruit, which is one of the main qualities for which industry and consumers now look. Other carotenes (such as ,-carotene), vitamin C, vitamin E and various phenolic compounds are also thought to be health-promoting factors with antioxidant properties. Since the antioxidant content of tomatoes may depend on genetic factors, the choice of variety cultivated may affect the results at harvest. To be able to control the antioxidant content of tomatoes at the field level when growing a given variety, it is necessary to know the effects of both environmental factors and the agricultural techniques used. Temperatures below 12 °C strongly inhibit lycopene biosynthesis and temperatures above 32 °C stop this process altogether. The effects of the temperature on the synthesis of other antioxidants have not yet been properly assessed. The effects of light have been studied more thoroughly, apart from those on vitamin E. The effects of water availability, mineral nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium) and plant growth regulators have been studied, but results are sometimes contradictory and the data often incomplete. During the ripening period, lycopene content of tomatoes increases sharply from the pink stage onwards, but no sufficient attempts have been made so far to assess the changes in the other antioxidants present in the fruit. This paper reviews the present state of the art. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


Loss of tocopherols and formation of degradation compounds at frying temperatures in oils differing in degree of unsaturation and natural antioxidant content

JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 14 2002
Daniel Barrera-Arellano
Abstract Samples of oils of different degrees of unsaturation, namely palm olein, olive oil, high-linoleic sunflower oil, high-oleic sunflower oil, rapeseed oil and soybean oil, were heated at 180,°C for 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10,h in the presence or absence of their natural antioxidants. Also, tocopherol-stripped oils were supplemented with ,-tocopherol (500,mg,kg,1), ,-tocopherol (500,mg,kg,1) or a mixture of ,-, ,-, ,- and ,-tocopherols (250,mg,kg,1 each) and heated under the same conditions. Losses of tocopherols and formation of polymeric triacylglycerols were followed. Total polar compounds were also evaluated after 10,h of heating. Results demonstrated that tocopherols were lost very rapidly, in the expected order, with ,-tocopherol being the least stable. Polymeric and polar compound formation during heating was inhibited to a variable extent, being more dependent on the natural content and type of tocopherols than on the degree of unsaturation of the oil. For example, polymeric and polar compound contents in soybean oil were significantly lower than those found in high-linoleic sunflower oil. However, the expected influence of the degree of unsaturation was evident when oils were unprotected or possessed identical initial antioxidant contents. Finally, levels of degradation compounds after 10,h of heating were not dependent on the remaining content of antioxidants. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


Characterisation and changes in the antioxidant system of chloroplasts and chromoplasts isolated from green and mature pepper fruits

PLANT BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2009
M. C. Martí
Abstract Purification and characterisation of pepper (Capsicum annuum L) chloroplasts and chromoplasts isolated from commercial green, red and yellow mature fruits were undertaken. Induction of the synthesis of several antioxidants in organelles isolated from mature fruits was found. The ultrastructure of organelles and the presence and activity of SOD isozymes and enzymes involved in the ASC-GSH cycle, together with the non-enzymatic antioxidant content and some oxidative parameters, were analysed. It was found that lipids, rather than proteins, seem to be a target for oxidation in the chromoplasts. The ascorbate and glutathione contents were elicited during differentiation of chloroplasts into chromoplasts in both red and yellow fruits. The activity of SOD and of components of the ASC-GSH cycle was up-regulated, suggesting that these enzymes may play a role in the protection of plastids and could act as modulators of signal molecules such as O2,, and H2O2 during fruit maturation. The presence of an Mn-SOD in chromoplasts isolated from yellow pepper fruits was also investigated in terms of structural and antioxidant differences between the two cultivars. [source]


Preliminary chemical characterization of Tunisian monovarietal virgin olive oils and comparison with Sicilian ones

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF LIPID SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 12 2007
Olfa Baccouri
Abstract Work was carried out on the characterization of monovarietal virgin olive oils (VOO) from Tunisia and Sicily (Italy). The two main Tunisian VOO (cvv. Chétoui of the North and cv. Chemlali grown in the Center and some regions of the South) and three principal Sicilian VOO (cvv. Nocellara del Belice, Biancolilla and Cerasuola) were studied. Moreover, the Chétoui oils were tested in a rain-fed control and an irrigation regime. All olive samples were picked at three different stages of ripeness. Analyses of major components (fatty acids and triacylglycerols) and minor ones (squalene, tocopherols and phenolic compounds) were carried out. Chétoui oils had a higher level of phenolic compounds followed by Chemlali. Generally, in the Sicilian oils these natural antioxidant contents were lower. These preliminary results indicate that it was possible to classify the Tunisian and Sicilian oils tested in their original growing area based on their chemical composition. [source]


Fatty acid composition, antioxidants and lipid oxidation in chicken breasts from different production regimes

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 4 2004
Kishowar Jahan
Summary Chicken breast from nine products and from the following production regimes: conventional (chilled and frozen), organic and free range, were analysed for fatty acid composition of total lipids, preventative and chain breaking antioxidant contents and lipid oxidation during 5 days of sub-ambient storage following purchase. Total lipids were extracted with an optimal amount of a cold chloroform methanol solvent. Lipid compositions varied, but there were differences between conventional and organic products in their contents of total polyunsaturated fatty acids and n-3 and n-6 fatty acids and n-6:n-3 ratio. Of the antioxidants, , -tocopherol content was inversely correlated with lipid oxidation. The antioxidant enzyme activities of catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase varied between products. Modelling with partial least squares regression showed no overall relationship between total antioxidants and lipid data, but certain individual antioxidants showed a relationship with specific lipid fractions. [source]


EFFECTS OF ACIDIFICATION ON PE ACTIVITY, COLOR AND ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF COLD BREAK TOMATO JUICE

JOURNAL OF FOOD QUALITY, Issue 1 2008
FALLOU SARR
ABSTRACT Turbidity maintenance, high antioxidant activity and attractive red color are important attributes of good tomato juice. Acidification was found effective in pectin esterase (PE) inactivation and turbidity maintenance. However, no information related to the changes of antioxidant properties after enzyme inactivation by acidification has been reported. In this article, acidification of cold break tomato juice to pH 2 or 3 was conducted after extraction. The changes of antioxidant properties (content and activity) and their correlation with PE activity and color in the juice were studied. Results indicated that acidification enhanced the viscosity of tomato juice by decreasing its PE activity. Significant increases of the main antioxidant contents (lycopene, polyphenols and vitamin C) and antioxidant activities (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl scavenging, ferrous ion chelating ability [FICA] and reducing power), as well as red color, were also found. In addition, the acidified cold break tomato juice exhibited better FICA and reducing power than butylated hydroxyanisole and, -tocopherol. This finding reveals the possibility of producing tomato juice with high antioxidant capacities by acidification. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The consumers' demand for healthy products with high quality toward fresh and health has increased remarkably these years. Tomato is one of the most popular vegetable juices, and its important quality aspects are color, stability and antioxidant capacity. Pectin esterase is the principal agent responsible for tomato juice stability. In addition, the goal of tomato juice processors is to optimize processing conditions by prevention of heat and oxidative damages on antioxidant components. Our results indicated that acidification may stabilize tomato juice and improve its color characteristics and main nutritional factors. Therefore, the acidification treatment could be used as a tool for providing the attractive color and enhancing the nutritional value and health-promoting properties of cold break tomato juice. [source]


Loss of tocopherols and formation of degradation compounds at frying temperatures in oils differing in degree of unsaturation and natural antioxidant content

JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 14 2002
Daniel Barrera-Arellano
Abstract Samples of oils of different degrees of unsaturation, namely palm olein, olive oil, high-linoleic sunflower oil, high-oleic sunflower oil, rapeseed oil and soybean oil, were heated at 180,°C for 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10,h in the presence or absence of their natural antioxidants. Also, tocopherol-stripped oils were supplemented with ,-tocopherol (500,mg,kg,1), ,-tocopherol (500,mg,kg,1) or a mixture of ,-, ,-, ,- and ,-tocopherols (250,mg,kg,1 each) and heated under the same conditions. Losses of tocopherols and formation of polymeric triacylglycerols were followed. Total polar compounds were also evaluated after 10,h of heating. Results demonstrated that tocopherols were lost very rapidly, in the expected order, with ,-tocopherol being the least stable. Polymeric and polar compound formation during heating was inhibited to a variable extent, being more dependent on the natural content and type of tocopherols than on the degree of unsaturation of the oil. For example, polymeric and polar compound contents in soybean oil were significantly lower than those found in high-linoleic sunflower oil. However, the expected influence of the degree of unsaturation was evident when oils were unprotected or possessed identical initial antioxidant contents. Finally, levels of degradation compounds after 10,h of heating were not dependent on the remaining content of antioxidants. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


Evidence that Branch Cuvettes are Reasonable Surrogates for Estimating O3 Effects in Entire Tree Crowns

PLANT BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2007
C. Then&
Abstract: Within the scope of quantifying ozone (O3) effects on forest tree crowns it is still an open question whether cuvette branches of adult trees are reasonable surrogates for O3 responses of entire tree crowns and whether twigs exhibit autonomy in defense metabolism in addition to carbon autonomy. Therefore, cuvette-enclosed branches of mature beech (Fagus sylvatica) trees were compared with branches exposed to the same and different ozone regimes by a free-air fumigation system under natural stand conditions by means of a vice versa experiment. For this purpose, cuvettes receiving 1 × O3 air were mounted in trees exposed to 2 × O3 and cuvettes receiving 2 × O3 air were mounted in trees exposed to 1 × O3 in the upper sun crown. At the end of the fumigation period in September 2004, leaves were examined for differences in gas exchange parameters, pigments, antioxidants, carbohydrates, and stable isotope ratios. No significant differences in foliar gas exchange, total carbohydrates, stable isotope ratios, pigment, and antioxidant contents were found as a consequence of cuvette enclosure (cuvette versus free-air branches) of the same O3 concentrations besides increase of glucose inside the cuvettes and reduction of the de-epoxidation state of the xanthophyll cycle pigments. No significant ozone effect was found for the investigated gas exchange and most biochemical parameters. The total and oxidized glutathione level of the leaves was increased by the 2 × O3 treatment in the cuvette and the free-air branches, but this effect was significant only for the free-air branches. From these results we conclude that cuvette branches are useful surrogates for examining the response of entire tree crowns to elevated O3 and that the defence metabolism of twigs seems to be at least partially autonomous. [source]