A survey of Irish fruit and vegetable waste and by-products as a source of polyphenolic antioxidants

In this study, fruit and vegetable by-product and waste sources in Ireland were tested for their antioxidant activity and polyphenol content. The highest levels of antioxidants measured by both ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays, were detected in whole kiwifruit. Of the vegetable by-products, broccoli stems showed the best antioxidant potential. The level of polyphenols as assessed by the Folin–Ciocalteu Reagent (FCR) was significantly correlated with the level of polyphenols by HPLC–DAD (r = 0.93). The level of polyphenols assessed by HPLC–DAD was not significantly correlated with the antioxidant assays. Apple pomace and vegetable by-products were found to be good sources of both polyphenols and antioxidants and due to their abundance may be exploitable resources to use as food ingredients.     

Influence of conventional and organic agricultural practices on the phenolic content in eggplant pulp: Plant-to-plant variation

Consumer awareness, pesticide and fertiliser contaminations, and environmental concerns have resulted in significant demand for organically grown farm products. The present study evaluates the influence that organic and conventional farming practices exert on the total phenolic content in eggplant samples from two cultivars, Blackbell (American eggplant) and Millionaire (Japanese eggplant), grown by conventional and organic farming practices with similar climatic conditions. In addition, plant-to-plant variation in phenolic content was determined from eight eggplant samples collected from different plants grown at various field positions. Samples were separately assayed for phenolic content by the two independent procedures, HPLC/LC–MS and Folin–Ciocalteu assay. The results of the HPLC analysis showed significant plant-to-plant variation (% RSD ranged from 22% to 48%) in 5-caffeoylqunic acid content (the most abundant phenolic acid) in eight eggplant samples collected from eight different plants belonging to the same cultivar and grown under similar conditions. The cv. Millionaire showed a higher total phenolic content compared to the Blackbell cultivar. We did not observe significant consistent trend in the phenolic content of eggplant samples grown with organic and conventional farming practices with both eggplant cultivars. We, however, observed a strong correlation (R² = 0.87) between total phenolic content as assayed by Folin–Ciocalteu assay and 5-caffeoylqunic acid, a major phenolic acid in eggplant extract. This study concludes that multiple repetitive analyses of plant products collected from different plants grown over various time periods (seasons) at different locations should always be carried to unambiguously prove the impact of growing conditions on phenolic content or antioxidant activity.     

A beetroot juice shot is a significant and convenient source of bioaccessible antioxidants

The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total polyphenol (TP) content of a beetroot juice shot (70 mL) was examined following in vitro digestion. TAC was assessed using the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay and TP content was measured using the Folin Ciocalteu (FC) method (measured as gallic acid equivalents (GAE) before and after an in vitro digestion procedure with simulated gastric (GAS) and duodenal (DUO) phases. The beetroot shot had a high TAC (697.9 ± 1.6 μmol/70 mL) and TP content (68.4 ± 0.3 mg GAE/70 mL). FRAP values increased approximately 3-fold after GAS (2361.2 ± 20.9 μmol/70 mL) and remained high following DUO (1740.3 ± 21.1 μmol/70 mL). TP content increased 5-fold following GAS (341.6 ± 4.8 mg GAE/70 mL) and remained 3.3-fold higher following DUO (223.2 ± 5.4 mg GAE/70 mL). The beetroot shot delivers a high amount of bioaccessible antioxidants and may be a cost effective and convenient method of increasing antioxidant status.     

Correlation of In Vivo and In Vitro Assay Results for Assessment of Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Green Tea Nutraceuticals

Green tea (GT)‐derived catechins; epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in particular are commonly used nutraceuticals for their free‐radical scavenging activity (FRSA). The influence of photodegradation on the protective power of GT nutracenticals against oxidative stress was thoroughly explored. Photodegradation of GT extracts was carried out and monitored using orthogonal stability‐indicating testing protocol; in vitro and in vivo assays. Total polyphenol content (TPC) and FRSA were determined spectrophotometrically while EGCG was selectively monitored using SPE‐HPLC. In vivo assessment of photodegraded samples was investigated via measuring a number of biomarkers for hepatic oxidative stress and apoptosis (caspase‐3, inducible nitric oxide synthase, nitric oxide, mitogen‐activated protein kinase, glutathione, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, nuclear factor kappa beta, and nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor) as well as liver damage (alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase) in serum of rats previously subjected to oxidative stress. Results showed complete degradation of EGCG in photodegraded green tea samples with no correlation with either TPC or FRSA. On the other hand, in vivo assay results revealed not only loss of activity but formation of harmful pro‐oxidants. Photostability was found crucial for the protective effect of GT extract against lead acetate insult. Results confirmed that careful design of quality control protocols requires correlation of chemical assays to bioassays to verify efficacy, stability, and most importantly safety of nutraceuticals.     

A systematic approach for extraction of phenolic compounds using parsley (Petroselinum crispum) flakes as a model substrate

The impact of extraction methodology and polarity of extraction solvents on the assay of phenolic compounds was investigated using parsley (Petroselinum crispum) flakes as a model substrate. This systematic study was undertaken to address substantial variations in the extraction procedures, solvents and conditions as described in the recent literature. Five different extraction procedures [shaking, vortex mixing, sonication, stirring and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE)] and three different solvents (methanol, ethanol and acetone), with five different solvent to water ratios per solvent, were used for extraction. Extracts were analyzed for phenolic content by high‐performance liquid chromatography and Folin–Ciocalteu assays. The yields of phenolic compounds extracted with a pressurized liquid extractor were comparable to or better than those of four classical extraction procedures. Optimum extraction efficiency with PLE was obtained when extractions were performed with four extraction cycles using ethanol–water (50:50, v/v). The amount of apiin (4,5,7‐trihydroxyflavone 7‐apiosylglucoside) and malonylapiin (apigenin malonylapiosylglucoside) isolated from parsley varied with the composition of extraction solvent. Apiin extractability was found to be a maximum when the solvent (ethanol, methanol or acetone) to water ratio was 30:70 (v/v), whereas higher amounts of malonylapiin were isolated with a reverse solvent to water ratio (70:30, v/v). Malonylapiin was not detected when parsley samples were extracted with organic solvent to water ratios of 10:90 (v/v) and 30:70 (v/v). Published in 2006 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd     

Optimization of extraction process for phenolic acids from black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) by pressurized liquid extraction

An investigation to optimize the extraction of phenolic acids from black cohosh using a pressurized liquid extractor system was studied with the aim of developing a generalized approach for sample preparation of phenolic compounds from plant matrices. Operating parameters such as solvent composition, solid‐to‐solvent ratio, temperature, particle size distribution, and number of extraction cycles were identified as main variables that influence extraction efficiency. A mixture of methanol and water (60:40 v/v) was found to be the best solvent for total phenolics (TP) and individual phenolic acids. The four phenolic acids extracted from black cohosh were identified by HPLC and LC‐MS as caffeic acid, ferulic acid, sinapic acid and isoferulic acid. Over 96% of the measured phenolics were extracted in first two cycles. The extraction efficiency for black cohosh with MeOH:H₂O (60:40 v/v) was found to be maximum at a solid‐to‐solvent ratio of 80 mg ml^?1. TP content of the extract was found to increase with temperature up to 90 °C. Particle size was found to have a large impact on extraction efficiency of TP. Samples with particle size between 0.25 mm and 0.425 mm provided optimum extraction of phenolics from black cohosh. Published in 2005 for SCI by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Changes in chemical composition and antioxidative properties of rye ginger cakes during their shelf-life

Changes in chemical composition and antioxidative properties of rye ginger cakes during their shelf-life were investigated in this study. In particular, the changes in antioxidants content, antioxidative and reducing capacity, and Maillard reaction development in rye ginger cakes after long-term storage were addressed. Ginger cakes produced according to the traditional and current recipe were stored for 5 years at room temperature in a dark place. The total phenolic compounds (TPC), inositol hexaphosphate (IP6), reduced (GSH) and oxidised glutathione (GSSG) contents, antioxidant and reducing capacity and Maillard reaction products (MRPs) were determined in ginger cakes after storage and then compared to those measured after baking. After long-term storage a decrease in TPC and IP6 contents in cakes was noted. In contrast, an increase in antioxidative and reducing capacity of stored cakes was observed. Long-term storage induced formation of furosine, advanced and final Maillard reaction products and caused changes in both reduced and oxidised forms of glutathione. After long-term storage the modest changes in furosine, FAST index and browning in ginger cake formulated with dark rye flour may suggest that this product is the healthiest among others. Therefore, traditional rye ginger cakes can be considered as an example of a healthy food that is also relatively stable during long term storage as noted by the small chemical changes observed in its composition.     

Critical assessment of voltammetry for rapid screening of antioxidants in marine algae

Voltammetric methods of analysis represent an attractive option for rapid screening of large numbers of plant samples in the search for novel antioxidants. However, the technique has not found widespread use as compared to established methods such as the DPPH and Folin–Ciocalteu assays. In this study we provide a critical assessment of voltammetric methods compared to the DPPH and Folin–Ciocalteu assay by conducting antioxidant assays using these methods in a study of 99 crude samples of marine algae. Thirty samples showed the presence of antioxidants via the voltammetric assay compared with 20 samples for the DPPH assay and 16 via the FC assay. Through a detailed interpretation of the results the study suggests that voltammetric methods can identify potential antioxidants in crude samples with a higher degree of confidence than DPPH or the FC method alone and represents a viable screening method for marine algal samples.     

Folin-Ciocalteu比色法测定香椿皮中多酚含量

建立了Folin-Ciocalteu法测定香椿皮总酚酸含量。以没食子酸为对照品,采用Folin-Ciocalteu法测定香椿皮中多酚含量。结果表明:香椿皮总多酚的含量在0~0.048 mg/mL范围内呈良好线性关系(R2=0.9997),精密度RSD为0.34%,重复性RSD为0.35%,稳定性RSD为0.23%,样品平均回收率为104.5%,RSD为1.43%。该多酚测定方法简单、快捷、准确,是测定香椿皮总多酚可靠的方法。     

Measurement of total phenolic content in wine using an automatic Folin–Ciocalteu assay method

Measuring the total phenolic content in wine is important in estimating the taste and health benefits of wine. We developed an automatic Folin–Ciocalteu (F‐C) method to reduce processing times (3 min), human errors and waste volume as compared it to the manual method. The gallic acid standard responded linearly up to 5000 μg mL^?1, and the wine dilution series responded linearly between four‐ and sixteenfold dilutions. Anthocyanins showed slower reaction rate compared with wine, gallic acid and quercetin, while ascorbic acid showed the fastest rate. Fructose and glucose at the 10% level showed approximately 8% interference in port wines, and the interference was thought to be negligible in most dry wines containing <1% sugar. Total phenolic contents ranged between 1600 and 3300 μg mL^?1 by the automatic method and were approximately 20% less than those by the manual method, except in pink wines which was nearly identical. The regression analysis of the phenolic contents showed a very linear relationship between the methods (r² = 0.97***). This automatic method was thought to be efficiently adopted in wine testing laboratories as a fast and reproducible assay.