5 种梅干菜的酚类化合物及抗氧化能力比较分析

以市售5 种梅干菜为研究对象,测定梅干菜酚类化合物的含量,用高效液相色谱-串联质谱（high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry,HPLC-MS/MS）法鉴定梅干菜酚类化合物的种类,并用4 种抗氧化能力评价方法评价梅干菜。结果表明,市售5?种梅干菜所含的酚类化合物含量和各酚类化合物所占的比例及其抗氧化能力差异显著。其中咕咕鲜牌梅干菜（GGX）的总酚含量为14.18?mg?GAE/g,总黄酮含量为7.10?mg?RE/g,2,2’-联氮-双-（3-乙基苯并噻唑啉-6-磺酸）二铵盐（2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate),ABTS）法、铁离子还原（ferric reducing antioxidant power,FRAP）法、1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼法和氧自由基吸收能力（oxygen radical absorbance capacity,ORAC）法测得的抗氧化能力分别为28.09、32.88、31.72?μmol?TE/g和445.55?μmol?TE/g,显著高于其他4?种梅干菜。其次,利用HPLC-MS/MS法分析鉴定出梅干菜中共含有17?种酚类化合物,包括9?种类黄酮和8?种酚酸。其中,梅干菜中的类黄酮主要有野漆树苷、山柰酚、异鼠李素、柚皮素等;酚酸主要有阿魏酸、香豆酸和肉桂酸等。此外,4?种抗氧化能力评价方法中,ABTS与FRAP相关性最高,相关系数为0.967;ORAC法测得的梅干菜抗氧化能力显著高于其他3?种方法;而ABTS法与梅干菜的抗氧化剂相关性最高,最适合评价梅干菜的总抗氧化能力。综上所述,不同种类市售梅干菜的酚类化合物含量和抗氧化能力均不同,其中,GGX总酚含量最高、抗氧化能力最强。     

Antioxidant Capacity of Fruit Extracts of Blackberry (Rubus sp.) Produced in Different Climatic Regions

A range of blackberry genotypes harvested in different seasons and regions in Mexico (Michoacan) and in the United States (Pacific Northwest) were collected to determine their antioxidant capacity using oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Total acidity, ascorbic acid, soluble solids, total phenols, and total anthocyanins, as well as the correlation between all these parameters, were determined for all treatments. Total acidity ranged from 4.22% in wild blackberry from Patzcuaro, Mexico, to 1.02% in ‘Evergreen’ from Woodburn, Oreg. These treatments were also the outliers in terms of ascorbic acid content. Cultivar ‘Brazos’ did not exhibit any significant differences in acidity or ascorbic acid as a consequence of the geographic origin or harvest season. The highest concentration of soluble solids was recorded for ‘Evergreen’ from Woodburn and relatively low soluble solids levels were recorded for all the Mexican treatments. Wild blackberry from Patzcuaro exhibited the highest values for ORAC, FRAP, total phenolic and anthocyanin content. Other relatively high antioxidant capacity values were detected for ‘Marion’ and ‘Evergreen’, both produced in Oregon. Different cultivars grown in the same region/season consistently showed differences in antioxidant capacity. There was little effect of harvest season on phenolic levels. We conclude that levels of total acidity, ascorbic acid, soluble solids, antioxidant capacity, and polyphenols mainly depended on the genotype and not on the climate or the season. ORAC and FRAP values were both highly correlated with each other, and with total phenols and anthocyanin content.     

Contributions of phenolics and added vitamin C to the antioxidant capacity of pomegranate and grape juices: synergism and antagonism among constituents

The aim of this study was to examine the contribution of sugar, organic acid, neutral phenol, and anthocyanin fractions and added ascorbic acid to grape and pomegranate‐nectarine juice total phenol, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) values. Neutral phenol and anthocyanin fractions contributed ≥75% of the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) for both juices. Intrinsic synergy and antagonism among the fractionated constituents occurred inconsistently in each assay. Sugars and organic acids antagonised pomegranate juice neutral phenols and anthocyanins in the DPPH assay by 50% and the grape juice ORAC value by 21%, but were synergistic to the grape juice FRAP value. The added ascorbic acid was dose‐dependently synergistic with pomegranate and grape juice total phenol, DPPH and FRAP assays, but less so in the ORAC assay. Thus, the interactions between grape and pomegranate juice constituents determine TAC and total phenol values, and synergy in these assays could not be attributed solely to polyphenols.     

Analysis of Phenolic Composition of Noble Muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia) by HPLC‐MS and the Relationship to Its Antioxidant Capacity

Abstract: Phenolic compounds and anthocyanins in muscadines have attracted much attention due to their diverse biological activities. With bioassays of antioxidant activities in terms of total phenolic content (TPC), total anthocyanin content (TAC), total procyanidin content (TPA), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of different parts of the Noble muscadine, the butanol (BuOH) extract of the muscadine skin showed the highest TPC (317.91 ± 1.83 mg GAE/100 g FW), which might be ascribed to its high TAC of 227.06 ± 1.29 mg/100 g fresh weight (FW). The ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract of the muscadine seed contained the highest TPA (55.30 ± 0.63 mg CE/100 g FW). Correlation analyses demonstrated a significant linear relationship of TPC and TAC compared to their ORAC and FRAP values within the range of R² from 0.9283 to 0.9936, which suggested that phenolics and anthocyanins in the extracts contributed significantly to their antioxidant potential. Nineteen individual phenolics and 5 anthocyanins were identified by HPLC‐MS, which indicated different chemical profiles of anthocyanins and other phenolics in the muscadine extracts. Practical Application: The paper has provided rich information of bioactive phytochemical profiles in different solvent extracts and their correlation with the antioxidant activity in the muscadine that is a very special regional fruit in U.S. Its high content of phenolic compounds demonstrates that muscadine could be beneficial to human health.     

Quantification of the polyphenolic fraction and in vitro antioxidant and in vivo anti-hyperlipemic activities of Hibiscus sabdariffa aqueous extract

In the present study the quantification of the polyphenolic fraction, anthocyanins and other polar compounds, the antioxidant capacity and the anti-hyperlipemic action of the aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa has been achieved. Seventeen compounds were successfully quantified either by HPLC-DAD or HPLC-ESI-TOF-MS. Six of them were directly quantified by their corresponding standards, whereas the rest were indirectly quantified as equivalents using standards of similar compounds. The antioxidant capacity have also been estimated by comparing different assays, i,e, Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), and measurement of thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS). H. sabdariffa showed high reducing capacity in FRAP assay and significant capability to scavenge peroxyl radicals in the ORAC assay. Nevertheless, the extract exhibited poor efficacy to inhibit peroxyl radicals in lipid systems. The plant extract also exhibited the capacity to decrease serum triglyceride concentration on hyperlipemic mouse model.     

Comparative analyses of phenolic composition, antioxidant capacity, and color of cool season legumes and other selected food legumes

ABSTRACT:  The objective of this study was to characterize the phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities of U.S.-produced cool season legumes. A total of 33 cool season legume samples were selected. Some common beans and soybeans were included for comparisons. Total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and condensed tannin content (CTC) were analyzed. Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) were used for analyzing antioxidant properties. Color of the legume flour and the seed coat was also analyzed. TPC, TFC, CTC, FRAP, DPPH, and ORAC values of legumes were significantly different not only between classes but also among samples within each class. Among cool season legume classes, lentils possessed the highest concentrations of the phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities. Colored common beans and black soybeans exhibited higher TPC, TFC, CTC, FRAP, DPPH, and ORAC values than those of yellow peas, green peas, and chickpeas. Antioxidant activities (FRAP, DPPH, and ORAC) were strongly correlated ( r = 0.96, 0.94, and 0.89, respectively, P < 0.01) with TPC. TPC and ORAC were moderately correlated ( P < 0.01) with either the seed hull surface color or the flour color.     

Antioxidant capacities of phenolic compounds and tocopherols from Tunisian pomegranate (Punica granatum) fruits

This article aims to determine the phenolic, tocopherol contents, and antioxidant capacities from fruits (juices, peels, and seed oils) of 6 Tunisian pomegranate ecotypes. Total anthocyanins were determined by a differential pH method. Hydrolyzable tannins were determined with potassium iodate. The tocopherol (α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, and δ-tocopherol) contents were, respectively, 165.77, 107.38, and 27.29 mg/100 g from dry seed. Four phenolic compounds were identified and quantified in pomegranate peel and pulp using the high-performance liquid chromatography/ultraviolet method: 2 hydroxybenzoic acids (gallic and ellagic acids) and 2 hydroxycinnamic acids (caffeic and p-coumaric acids). Juice, peel, and seed oil antioxidants were confirmed by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) methods. The highest values were recorded in peels with 25.63 mmol trolox equivalent/100 g and 22.08 mmol TE/100 g for FRAP and ORAC assay, respectively. Results showed that the antioxidant potency of pomegranate extracts was correlated with their phenolic compound content. In particular, the highest correlation was reported in peels. High correlations were also found between peel hydroxybenzoic acids and FRAP ORAC antioxidant capacities. Identified tocopherols seem to contribute in major part to the antioxidant activity of seed oil. The results implied that bioactive compounds from the peel might be potential resources for the development of antioxidant function dietary food.     

A study of the antioxidant capacity of oak wood used in wine ageing and the correlation with polyphenol composition

The antioxidant capacity of oak wood used in the ageing of wine was studied by four different methods: measurement of scavenging capacity against a given radical (ABTS, DPPH), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Although the four methods tested gave comparable results for the antioxidant capacity measured in oak wood extracts, the ORAC method gave results with some differences compared to the other methods. Non-toasted oak wood samples displayed more antioxidant power than toasted ones due to differences in the polyphenol composition. A correlation analysis revealed that ellagitannins were the compounds mainly responsible for the antioxidant capacity of oak wood. Some phenolic acids, mainly gallic acid, also showed a significant correlation with antioxidant capacity.     

Effect of differently processed açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) on the retention of phenolics and anthocyanins in chewy candies

This study investigated the effects of processing and storage on the physicochemical properties and retention of antioxidant compounds of no‐added sucrose chewy candies (NASC) incorporated with differently processed açai (frozen pulp, spray‐dried and freeze‐dried powders). NASC containing freeze‐dried açai had the highest softness and recoveries of total phenolic (TP) and total anthocyanin (TA) immediately after production. Colour parameters and antioxidant capacity by ABTS and ORAC assays had no significant differences after 6 months of NASC storage, except for ORAC in NASC containing spray‐dried açai, whereas DPPH^? in all samples significantly increased. Water activity and hardness also increased after storage, whereas TP and TA contents decreased, despite presenting good retentions (approx. 72–78% TP and 84–99% TA). This study suggests that açai has a great potential to be used as a natural pigment and antioxidant source in candy manufacturing, meeting consumption trends towards healthier products.     

2种草莓成熟过程中果实特征品质指标的变化

研究‘米拉’(‘Mira’)和‘哈尼’(‘Honeoye’)2个草莓品种的白色未熟期、粉色转熟期和红色成熟期3个阶段成熟过程中与风味、生理功能活性相关的特征品质指标变化。结果表明随着草莓成熟果实中总可溶性固形物含量、芳香性挥发成分、花色苷成分积累量有显著性上升,而总酸、总酚、总黄酮含量和抗氧化能力均有所下降。相关性和主成分分析结果表明,草莓成熟过程中总酚、总黄酮、总可溶性固形物和总酸含量均与总抗氧化-亚铁还原能力(ferric reducing-antioxidant power,FRAP)以及氧自由基吸收能力(oxygen radical absorption capacity,ORAC)的变化之间存在高相关性(r为0.859 1~0.994 7),而总花色苷含量与FRAP和ORAC之间的相关性仅为0.315 0和0.385 3。同时得出草莓果实的成熟度与芳香性挥发成分和花色苷组分积累量呈正相关性。     

绿茶、橘皮、大豆中酚类物质体外消化前后稳定性及抗氧化活性的研究

本研究以富含3类代表性酚类化合物（黄烷醇、黄烷酮和异黄酮）的3种食物（绿茶、橘皮、大豆）作为原料,模拟其在人体口胃肠中的体外消化过程。采用高效液相色谱-二极管阵列检测器/电喷雾-四极杆-飞行时间串联质谱检测器（HPLC-DAD/ESI-Q-TOF-MS）检测体外消化前后酚类化合物的种类及含量变化,同时测定不同消化阶段总酚含量（TPC）、总黄酮含量（TFC）以及抗氧化活性（DPPH、ABTS、FRAP、ORAC）的变化。结果表明,绿茶提取物中检测出4种酚类化合物（表没食子儿茶素、(+)-儿茶素、表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯和表儿茶素没食子酸酯）,大豆提取物中检测出4种酚类化合物（大豆苷、染料木苷、大豆苷元和染料木素）,橘皮提取物中检测出2种酚类化合物（柚皮苷和橙皮苷）;三种食物提取物中,经过体外消化后,绿茶提取物中的酚类化合物最不稳定,除(+)-儿茶素外,其余3种酚类物质几乎降解完全,损失率均达95%以上。绿茶、橘皮、大豆提取物的TPC在胃消化阶段显著升高（P<0.05）,在肠消化阶段显著降低（P<0.05）。绿茶提取物TFC在口腔和胃消化阶段显著升高（P<0.05）,在肠消化阶段显著降低（P<0.05）。橘皮、大豆提取物TFC与TPC变化趋势一致。绿茶提取物的四种抗氧化活性经胃肠消化后呈先升高再降低的趋势。大豆提取液体外消化前后ABTS、FRAP抗氧化活性在口腔阶段显著降低（P<0.05）,DPPH、ORAC抗氧化活性在口腔、胃消化阶段显著升高（P<0.05）,在肠消化阶段显著降低（P<0.05）。橘皮提取液ORAC抗氧化活性在肠消化阶段显著升高（P<0.05）,ABTS、FRAP抗氧化活性在体外消化阶段均表现出和总酚含量变化一致的趋势。     

Assessment of antioxidant capacity of sedum (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sedum sarmentosum</Emphasis>) as a valuable natural antioxidant source

In order to investigate the antioxidant capacity of sedum (dolnamul, Sedum sarmentosum) and to offer a scientific basis for the medicinal use of it, lyophilized sedum leaves were extracted with n-hexane, n-butanol, ethyl acetate, and methanol, respectively. The methanol extract (ME) showed the highest extraction yield, but no significant differences in the extraction yield were observed. The total polyphenol content (TPC) of the ethyl acetate extract (EAE) and the ME was significantly higher than that of the non-polar solvent extracts. The EAE and ME showed the superior antioxidant activities in the DPPH, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), and ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) assays. Lipid peroxidation was efficiently inhibited by the addition of the sedum extracts in the ferric thiocyanate (FTC) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assays, but significant differences among the tested extracts were not observed. The ME showed the potent lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity comparable to butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). The correlations between the TPC and the antioxidant activities based on the DPPH, ORAC, and FRAP assays were highly positive (R ²>0.899).     

Cytoprotective effects of polyphenolics on H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>-induced cell death in SH-SY5Y cells in relation to their antioxidant activities

The cytoprotective effects of five flavonoids (quercetin, rutin, catechin, kaempferol and morin) and four hydroxycinnamic acids (caffeic, ferulic, sinapic and chlorogenic acids) were evaluated by the degree of protection they provided against H₂O₂-induced damage to human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. All compounds exhibited protection against H₂O₂-mediated cytotoxicity in a dose dependent manner. The concentration required to give a 50% reduction in cell death (EC₅₀ value) were derived from their dose–response relationships. The cytoprotective activities of these phenolic compounds in the order of quercetin > caffeic acid > rutin > chlorogenic acid > catechin > ferulic acid > sinapic acid > morin > kaempferol. The EC₅₀ values of the phenolic compounds were strongly related to their chemical structures. The EC₅₀ values were compared with the antioxidant activities as determined by five different chemically based antioxidant assays [2,2-azinobis (3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and lipid peroxidation inhibition capacity (LPIC)]. The ability of these phenolic compounds to protect from H₂O₂-induced SH-SY5Y cell death correlated (r ² = 0.85) with their determined LPIC values and weakly (r ² = 0.44) with their ABTS activities. There was no correlation between EC₅₀ values and ORAC, FRAP or DPPH activities. The cytoprotection assay is a more biologically relevant measurement than the chemically defined antioxidant activity assays because it uses human cells as a substrate and therefore accounts for some aspects of uptake, metabolism and location of antioxidant compounds within cells.     

Antioxidant activity and antimicrobial properties of phenolic extracts from acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC) fruit

The antioxidant activity and antimicrobial property of phenolic extracts from acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC) fruit were assessed. The contribution of ascorbic acid and phenolic compounds in the total antioxidant capacity of the extracts was also evaluated. The extracts showed high total phenolic values and possessed high antioxidant activity as expressed by 2,2′‐diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity assays (ORAC). The ascorbic acid content ranged from 405 to 1744 mg/100 g of fruit on a fresh weight basis. The antioxidant capacity of the phenolic fractions was in the following order: anthocyanins<phenolic acids<flavonoids. The phenolic fractions contributed 7.1–36.5% of the antioxidant activity expressed by ORAC, whereas the contribution of ascorbic accounted for 18–39% of the total activity. Selected extracts from the flavonoids fraction showed some activity against Staphylococcus aureus.     

Bioactive compounds,in vitro antioxidant capacity and Maillard reaction products of raw,boiled and fried garlic (Allium sativum L.)

Garlic is used in many dishes but some of its bioactive compounds are lost when exposed to heat. This study evaluated bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity and Maillard reaction products of raw (RG), boiled (BG) and fried garlic (FG). Total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, allicin and phytosterol were quantified as well as dietary fibres and mineral content. Antioxidant activities of RG, BG and FG were evaluated by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), oxidation of β‐carotene/linoleic acid and Rancimat methods. The main results were the following: thermal processing of RG decreased both bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity, boiling was found to be less aggressive than frying, and strong correlations were obtained between total phenolic compounds and the antioxidant assays. However, phytosterol content was higher in FG than in RG and BG and higher temperatures increased the formation of Maillard reaction products. It was concluded that RG and BG should be preferred for human consumption as they present higher antioxidant capacity.     

Correlation of tocopherol,tocotrienol, γ-oryzanol and total polyphenol content in rice bran with different antioxidant capacity assays

The relationship between antioxidant capacity and levels of various antioxidants in rice bran and brown rice powder was evaluated. Three different varieties of Venezuelan rice, namely, Cimarrón, Zeta 15 and FONAIAP-1, were studied using ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2′-azinobis-3-ethylbenzotiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) to measure antioxidant capacity. The results showed that rice varieties contained different levels and combinations of total polyphenols, γ-oryzanol, α- and γ-tocopherols and α-, γ- and δ-tocotrienols. Compared to brown rice powder, rice bran contained most of the antioxidants and had correspondingly higher values of antioxidant capacity. Principal components analysis and multiple regression on the data indicate that FRAP was sensitive to polyphenols and total tocotrienols, while ORAC was sensitive to polyphenols and total tocopherols. ABTS was the least sensitive of all assays tested. Thus, results from antioxidant capacity assays must be interpreted with caution particularly in complex systems and that further study is necessary to define more precisely the nature of the relevant chemical reactions.     

热带水果多酚提取物的抗氧化和抗增殖活性研究

为明确12种热带水果多酚提取物的总酚含量、总抗氧化能力和抗肿瘤细胞增殖活性,分别采用Folin-Ciocalteu法确定了水果提取物的总酚含量,采用ORAC和FRAP的方法确定了其抗氧化能力,采用MTT的方法确定了其抗人肝癌细胞HepG2增殖的活性。结果显示,12种水果提取物的总酚含量为26.17-229.67 mg GAE/100g 鲜重,最高杨桃的总酚含量为最低鳄梨的8.78倍;ORAC和FRAP抗氧化值分别为607.05-2631.17 μmol TE/100g 鲜重和462.12-1067.92 μmol TE/100 g鲜重,杨桃具有最高的ORAC和FRAP抗氧化值,分别是最低木瓜的4.33倍和鳄梨的2.31倍;11种水果提取物抑制肿瘤细胞HepG2增殖的IC50值为31.79-66.93 mg/mL,抑制活性最弱木瓜的IC50值为最强杨桃的2.11倍。水果提取物的总酚含量与其ORAC抗氧化值（R2＝0.7839）、FRAP抗氧化值（R2＝0.7636）和抑制HepG2细胞增殖的IC50值（R2＝0.8847）之间具有显著的相关性。     

糙米体外消化过程中酚类物质含量及抗氧化活性

以糙米为对象,围绕其体外消化过程酚类物质及抗氧化活性变化开展研究。结果表明：粳型糙米中总酚含量显著高于籼型糙米（约1.5?倍）。胃和小肠消化显著促进粳型和籼型糙米中酚类物质释放（P＜0.05）,其释放量（以没食子酸当量计）最高值为460.9?mg/100?g和401.1?mg/100?g,粳型糙米中酚类物质释放量显著高于籼型糙米;两者酚类物质释放量随消化时间变化趋势均符合幂函数模型。铁离子还原/抗氧化能力（ferric-reducing antioxidant power,FRAP）和氧自由基清除能力（oxygen radical absorbance capacity,ORAC）实验表明糙米体外消化过程中释放的酚类物质具有良好抗氧化能力,粳型和籼型糙米消化液FRAP值（以Trolox当量计）最大为10.76、8.44?μmol/g,ORAC值（以Trolox当量计）最大为6.82?μmol/g和6.23?μmol/g。     

Determination of the antioxidant capacity: influence of the sample concentration on the measured values

The aim of the present analysis was to study the influence of the sample concentration on the measured antioxidant capacity, since such investigations are scarce but necessary to ensure the reproducibility of the results. Pure substances (ascorbic acid, gallic acid, Trolox^®, uric acid) and food extracts (strawberry nectar, tomato extract, white tea) were analysed using seven common antioxidant capacity assays (three versions of Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, TEAC; ferric reducing antioxidant power, FRAP; photochemiluminescence, PCL; oxygen radical absorbance capacity, ORAC and total phenolics assay). For all applied pure substances and in most of the assays effects of the sample concentration on the measured antioxidant capacity were observed. Since it remains speculative how sample concentration does affect the measured antioxidant capacity exactly, it is strongly recommended to use at least three sample concentrations for analysis to detect and to discuss concentration-dependent effects.     

Antioxidant capacity of methanolic and water extracts prepared from food‐processing by‐products

This study aims to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of mango peel, roselle seed, okara (by‐product of soya milk industry), cocoa shell and pink guava (by‐product of pink guava industry) in comparison to 6‐hydroxy‐2,5,7,8‐tetramethylchroman‐2‐carboxylic acid (Trolox). The β‐carotene bleaching, 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl and reducing power assays were used to determine the antioxidant capacity of selected by‐products by measuring the absorbance at 470, 520 and 700 nm, respectively. The results showed that methanolic extracts of pink guava and cocoa shell exhibited the highest antioxidant activity and free radical scavenging activity compared to other studied samples. Roselle seed water extract exhibited the highest antioxidant activity and free radical scavenging when extracted with water. Pink guava possessed the highest reducing power in methanolic extract at a concentration of 0.16 mg mL^?1. At the same concentration, mango peel exhibited the highest reducing power when extracted with water. The present study shows that pink guava, roselle seed and cocoa shell are potential sources of antioxidant components that can be exploited as food preservative agents or nutraceuticals. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry