Antioxidant activity of lactic-fermented Chinese cabbage

Lactic-fermented cabbage, similar to Kimchi in Korea, is a very popular fermented vegetable product in Taiwan and China. In this study, fermented cabbage prepared by a dry-salt method was first extracted with water and methanol. Antioxidant activity such as DPPH radical scavenging effects, reducing power and Fe²⁺-chelating ability of the solvent extracts of fermented cabbage was determined and the effect of fermentation on the change of antioxidant activity, total phenolic and total flavonoid content was also investigated. Results revealed that antioxidant activity observed on the Chinese cabbage mixture may vary with extraction solvents and fermentation. Generally, the methanol extract of the cabbage mixture showed a higher DPPH radical scavenging activity and reducing activity than the water extract. Although, fermentation did not alter the Fe²⁺-chelating ability and reducing activity of the methanol extract of the cabbage mixture, it reduced these same antioxidant activities in the water extract. Amongst the various extracts examined, the methanol extract of fermented cabbage showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging effect. On the other hand, the highest Fe²⁺-ion chelating and reducing activities were exerted by the methanol extracts of both the cabbage mixture and the fermented cabbage, which showed no significant difference (p < 0.05). Additionally, the type of solvent and fermentation were also found to affect the total phenolic and flavonoid content of the extracts. Fermentation increased the total phenolic content of the methanol extract, whilst reducing the total flavonoid content of the water extract. Furthermore, changes in the antioxidant activity observed on the extracts of the cabbage mixture and fermented cabbage did not coincide exactly with the total phenolic and total flavonoid content.     

Changes in the phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities of mustard leaf (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica juncea</Emphasis>) kimchi extracts during different fermentation periods

This study was conducted to investigate the changes in the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activities of 80% methanol and water extracts from mustard leaf kimchi during different fermentation periods. The methanol extract exhibited higher TPC and TFC than the water extract. Both extracts from kimchi fermented for two months showed the highest antioxidant effects against the scavenging activities of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radicals and 2,2-azino-bis diammonium salt (ABTS) radicals. Moreover, the methanol extract from kimchi fermented for two months showed the highest nitrite scavenging activity. The highest metal (Fe²⁺) chelating effect of the methanol extract and water extract was observed after three months and one month, respectively. Caffeic acid showed the highest increase with fermentation. These findings suggest that the antioxidant activities of kimchi depend on the fermentation period. Accordingly, this study provides basic data for improving the antioxidant activity of mustard leaf kimchi through the establishment of their fermentation period.     

Storage temperature and packaging condition affect the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of black soybeans and koji

In this study, powders of steamed black soybeans and the Aspergillus awamori‐fermented black soybeans (koji) were subjected to storage at 4 °C and 25 °C with or without deoxidant and desiccant for 120 days. It was found that total phenolic content and the antioxidant activity including the DPPH radicals scavenging effect, Fe²⁺‐chelating ability and reducing activity of the methanol extracts from black soybeans and koji decreased as the storage period was extended. Furthermore, storage temperature and packaging condition affected the antioxidant activity of the methanol extracts of black soybeans and koji. After 120‐day storage, extract from black soybeans holding at 4 °C with deoxidant and desiccant exhibited the highest residual of DPPH radicals scavenging effect, Fe²⁺‐chelating ability and reducing activity of 71.78%, 72.66% and 70.04%, respectively. Meanwhile, the highest residual of 77.78%, 81.71% and 85.05% respectively, was noted with extract from koji held at 25 °C with deoxidant and desiccant.     

Antioxidant constituents in feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) extract and their chromatographic quantification

Medicinal herb feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) has been reported to possess prophylactic properties over migraine and arthritis. However, less attention has been given to its antioxidant activities. In our study the antioxidant activities of the feverfew extract and its bioactive components in terms of their free radical-scavenging activities against the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and their Fe²⁺-chelating capacities were determined. In addition, the bioactive constituents in feverfew were determined by GC–MS and HPLC–UV. The results showed that feverfew powder extracted by 80% alcohol contained camphor, parthenolide, luteolin and apigenin in 0.30 ± 0.08%, 0.22% ± 0.03%, 0.84% ± 0.10% and 0.68% ± 0.07%, respectively. Total phenolic content of the feverfew extract was measured in 21.21 ± 2.11 μg gallic acid equivalent per mg dry material. The feverfew alcoholic extract possessed a strong DPPH free radical-scavenging activity of 84.4% and moderate Fe²⁺-chelating capacity of 53.1%. Luteolin also showed strong DPPH scavenging activity of approximately 80% at ? 0.52 mg/mL. Parthenolide exhibited weak DPPH scavenging activity of 15% and moderate Fe²⁺-chelating capacity of nearly 60%. Similar moderate Fe²⁺-chelating activity (approximately 60%) was observed for luteolin and apigenin at 2 mg/mL.     

Enhancements of isoflavone aglycones, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity of black soybean by solid-state fermentation with Rhizopus spp.

In the present study, a solid-state fermentation process of black soybean was developed. Three filamentous fungi including Rhizopus oligosporus (BCRC 31996), R. oligosporus (NTU-5), and Rhizopus oryzae (BCRC 30894) were cultivated with steam-cooked intact and dehulled black soybeans. It was found that fermentation enhanced the total phenolic and isoflavone aglycone content as well as antioxidant activity of the black soybean methanol [80 % (v/v)] extracts. Among the three candidates, R. oligosporus BCRC 31996 was chosen as the working strain, and dehulled Tainan NO.3 black soybeans were used as the substrate based on the relatively high total phenolic content, isoflavone aglycone accumulation, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging effect of the fermented extracts. In a 6-day fermentation, extracts of the fermented dehulled black soybeans yielded higher total phenolic content (2,876.2 μg/g) which was 1.16 times of the result from the intact soybean extracts. The DPPH scavenging effect of the fermented dehulled black soybean extract reached its maximum on the third day. The activity of β-glucosidase of dehulled black soybean samples increased with time and resulted in accumulation of isoflavone aglycones. The product of solid-state black soybean fermentation serves as a functional ingredient in the products of nutritional supplements and health foods.     

Solid-state fermentation with fungi to enhance the antioxidative activity, total phenolic and anthocyanin contents of black bean

In the present study, solid-state fermentation of black bean with various GRAS filamentous fungi including Aspergillus awamori, Aspergillus oryzae, Aspergillus sojae, Rhizopus azygosporus and Rhizopus sp. No. 2 was preformed to prepared koji. Mycelial propagation of starter organisms and antioxidative activity, including alpha-alpha-diphenyl-2-picyl-hydoxyl (DPPH) radicals, Fe2+-chelating ability, and reducing activity, were examined. Depending upon the starter organism, various amounts of mycelial propagation (23.5-67.3 mg/k koji) were found in the prepared black bean kojis. The methanol extracts of all the black bean kojis, except that prepared with Rhizopus sp. No. 2, exhibited higher levels of DPPH free radical-scavenging activity, Fe2+-chelating activity, and reducing power than did the non-fermented black bean. Taking into account methanol extract content, all the prepared kojis showed greater antioxidative activity than non-fermented black bean. Among the various koji extracts examined, extract of A. awamori-koji exhibited the highest antioxidative activity as did the A. awamori-koji when comparing its antioxidative activity with that of other kojis and non-fermented black bean. In general, the total extractable phenolic compounds and anthocyanins content in black beans increased after fermentation. This might lead to the increased antioxidant activities of black bean kojis observed.     

Antioxidant activity of hot water extract from the fruit of the Doum palm, Hyphaene thebaica

A hot water extract from the fruit of Hyphaene thebaica was examined for its (i) hydrogen donating activity, (ii) Fe²⁺-chelating activity, (iii) hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity, (iv) inhibition of substrate site-specific hydroxyl radical formation, (v) superoxide radical-scavenging activity, and (vi) reducing power. The total phenolic content of the fruit extract was also determined in order to quantitate antioxidant activity as gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per ml reaction. The total phenolic content of the Doum fruit is low, but the extract exhibited potent antioxidant activity in terms of GAE. The activities expressed as mmol pure compound equivalent per g GAE content of extract are: (i) 2.85 mmol ascorbic acid equivalent, (ii) 1.78 mmol ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid equivalent, (iii) 192 mmol gallic acid equivalent, (iv) 3.36 mmol gallic acid equivalent, (v) 1.78 mmol gallic acid equivalent and (vi) 3.93 mmol ascorbic acid equivalent. These values were of the same magnitude as antioxidant activity in black tea except for Fe²⁺-chelating activity which was about 14 times more potent. The results show that the fruit of Hyphaene thebaica’s fruit is a source of potent antioxidants.     

Effect of gamma irradiation on the extraction yield, total phenolic content and free radical-scavenging activity of Nigella staiva seed

In the present study, the radiation processing of Nigella sativa seed samples was carried out at dose levels of 2, 4, 8, 10, 12 and 16 kGy. The extraction yield, total phenolic content and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical-scavenging activity of both control and irradiated samples extracted in acetone, methanol and water were assessed. The results showed that the extraction yields increased with an increase in radiation dose for all the test solvents. At 16 kGy the increases were 3.7%, 4.2%, 5.6% and 9.0% for hexane, acetone, water and methanol extracts, respectively. The phenolic content in the acetone extract was found to be increased from 3.7 for the control sample to 3.8 mg/g for the 16 kGy radiation-processed sample. No significant change was observed for the phenolic content of the methanolic extract, while the aqueous extract showed a decrease at dose levels of 12 and 16 kGy. In the control samples, the DPPH radical-scavenging activity was 79.4%, 79.1% and 92.0% for water, acetone and methanol extracts, respectively, at 5 mg/ml concentration. Gamma irradiation enhanced the scavenging activity in acetone and methanol extracts by 10.6% and 5.4%, respectively, at 16 kGy. In summary, gamma irradiation increased the extraction yield and total phenolic content, as well as enhancing the free radical-scavenging activity. In addition, the type of solvent used for extraction also affected the impact of irradiation on antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of N. sativa seed.     

Antioxidant potential and phenolic constituents of Salvia cedronella

The acetone extract of the aerial parts of the plant Salvia cedronella Boiss. was screened for its total phenolic content and flavonoid content. The antioxidant potential was evaluated, in vitro, by using three different assays; β-carotene–linoleic acid test system for total antioxidant activity, DPPH for free radical scavenging activity, Fe²⁺–ferrozine test system for metal chelation. A high content of phenolics, potent radical scavenging ability and significant iron chelating effect were observed. However, the inhibition of lipid peroxidation was not significant in β-carotene–linoleic acid test system. A phytochemical analysis yielded a new coumarin, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxymethyl coumarin, together with p-hydroxyphenylethyl docosanoate, and two triterpenoids oleanolic acid and betulinic acid.     

Antioxidant potentials of buntan pumelo (Citrus grandis Osbeck) and its ethanolic and acetified fermentation products

The antioxidant potentials of buntan pumelo (Citrus grandis Osbeck) and its fermented products were determined. The essential oil from peel had higher total phenolic (214 mM) and flavonoid (134 mg QE/g of dried material) contents than those of different solvent extracts from fruit pulp. In addition, DPPH free radical-scavenging activity and ferric-reducing antioxidant power values determined for the essential oil were 26.1 ± 1.2% and 2.3 ± 0.3 mM, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of various fruit pulp extracts. The ethanol-fermented products of pumelo juice had higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents than those of fresh juice. For maintenance of the substantial antioxidant properties of pumelo products, ethanol-fermented juice rather than fresh or acetate-fermented juice is recommended. Through correlation analysis, the phenolic compounds in the fermented pumelo products were found to be the major contributors to the free radical-scavenging activity and ferric-reducing power.     

Antioxidant Capacity and Phenolic Content of the Aqueous Extract of Commonly Consumed Cucurbits

The antioxidant capacity of commonly consumed cucurbits vegetable was determined by the DPPH, FRAP, Fe³⁺ reducing power, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay. The aqueous extract of Luffa cylindrica showed the highest value of phenolic content and antioxidant capacity based on FRAP, Fe³⁺ reducing power, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay. However, Laginaria siceraria extract showed the highest flavonoid and DPPH scavenging activities among all three cucurbits used in this study. Phenolic content in aqueous extracts of Luffa cylindrica and Laginaria siceraria was almost equal. Cucurbita maxima exhibited the lowest phenolic, flavonoid content, and exhibited the lowest power of antioxidant scavenging. The antioxidant capacity of cucurbits was significantly correlated (P < 0.05) with the phenolic content of their extracts. The antioxidant capacity of Luffa cylindrica and Laginaria siceraria have also shown a significant correlation (P < 0.05).     

Comparative study on the antioxidant activity of methanolic and aqueous extracts from the fruiting bodies of an edible mushroom <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pleurotus djamor</Emphasis>

In vitro antioxidant activities, total phenolic, and flavonoid contents of Pleurotus djamor extracts were analyzed based on radical scavenging activities of methanol and aqueous extracts using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine (DMPD), total Fe³⁺ reducing power, CUPRAC, phosphomolybdenum, metal chelating activity, and lipid peroxidation inhibition assays. Both extract types showed efficient radical scavenging activities against DPPH and DMPD radicals, ferric (Fe³⁺) and cupric (Cu²⁺) ion reducing powers, metal chelating activities, and lipid peroxidation inhibition. Total phenolic contents of methanol and aqueous extracts were 2.79 and 5.95 mg of GAE/g, respectively. Flavonoid contents of methanol and aqueous extracts were 6.35 and 5.75 mg of CAE/g, respectively. Consumption of the mushroom P. djamor can be beneficial due to antioxidant properties.     

Enhanced antioxidative activity of soybean koji prepared with various filamentous fungi

In the present study, soybean koji fermented with various GRAS filamentous fungi, including Aspergillus sojae BCRC 30103, Aspergillus oryzae BCRC 30222, Aspergillus awamori, Actinomucor taiwanensis and Rhizopus sp. These organisms are commonly used as starters in the fermentation of many traditional, oriental food products. The growth of starter organisms, total phenolic content, and antioxidative activities of the methanol extract of these kojis are compared with specific reference to alpha-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrozyl (DPPH) radicals scavenging effects, Fe2+-chelating ability, and reducing power. Depending on starter organism, various extents of mycelia propagation (35.23-86.29 mg/g koji) were noted after 3 days of fermentation. Total phenolic content increased in soybean after fermentation. Koji also displayed enhanced antioxidative activates in comparison with the non-fermented soybean. Among the five kinds of koji tested, those fermented with Asp. awamori exhibited the highest levels of DPPH-free radicals scavenging activity, Fe2+-chelating ability and reducing power. The DPPH-free radicals scavenging activity and Fe2+-chelating ability of this soybean koji was ca. 8.9 and 6.7 fold that of the control. Analysis of the dose-response effect also revealed that before reaching a threshold point, there is a linear relationship between increases in antioxidative activity and increases in the concentration of the koji extract. These results show the potential for developing a healthy food supplement with soybean fermented by the GRAS filamentous fungi.     

Characterization of fermented black soybean natto inoculated with Bacillus natto during fermentation

BACKGROUND: To make nutrients more accessible and further increase biological activity, cooked black soybeans were inoculatedwith Bacillus natto and fermented at 37 °C for 48 h. The changes in physiochemical properties of fermented black soybean natto were investigated. RESULTS: The inoculation procedure significantly increased moisture, viscosity, color, polyphenol compounds and anthocyanin, and significantly decreased hardness after 48 h fermentation. Fibrinolytic and caseinolytic protease, β‐glucosidase activities, TCA‐soluble nitrogen, and ammonia nitrogen contents in the inoculated samples significantly increased as fermentation time increased. Genistin and daidzin concentrations gradually decreased with increased fermentation time. However, genistein and daidzein increased with fermentation time, which reached 316.8 and 305.2 µg g^?1 during 48 h fermentation, respectively. DPPH radical scavenging activities of the fermented black soybeans increased linearly with fermentation time and concentration. Compared with the soaked black soybeans and cooked black soybeans, the fermented black soybeans with B. natto resulted in higher scavenging activity towards DPPH radicals, which correlated well with the content of total phenols (r = 0.9254, P < 0.05) and aglycone isoflavone (r = 0.9861, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Black soybean natto fermented by B. natto has the potential to become a functional food because of its high antioxidant activity. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Structural characterisation and antioxidant activity of melanoidins from high-temperature fermented apple

High-temperature fermented apple is a new fermented product with characteristic black appearance, which is prepared through natural fermentation of whole fresh apple at controlled high temperature (60–90 °C) and humidity (relative humidity of 50–90%). In this work, melanoidins from high-temperature fermented apple were obtained by ultrafiltration and subsequent diafiltration. The structural characterisation of melanoidins was investigated in the present study. Results showed that the molecular weight of the obtained melanoidins was about 179 kDa and the melanoidins were comprised primarily of furans by pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Antioxidant activities of the high-temperature fermented apple and its melanoidins were evaluated by ABTS, DPPH, hydroxyl radicals, ferric reducing antioxidant power and Fe²⁺-chelating assays. Both high-temperature fermented apple and its melanoidins showed extremely high antioxidant activities in scavenging hydroxyl radicals. High correlation between the antioxidant activity assayed methods and the physicochemical characteristics of melanoidins was obtained. The contribution of melanoidins to the total antioxidant capacity of high-temperature fermented apple was determined.     

Fermentation with Bacillus spp. as a bioprocess to enhance anthocyanin content,the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory effect,and the reducing activity of black soybeans

Food possessing anthocyanins, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity or reducing activity show beneficial effect on human health. To develop healthy food, black soybeans were fermented with either Bacillus subtilis BCRC 14715 or Bacillus sp. CN11, or a mixture of both Bacillus spp. in the present study. The anthocyanin content, the ACE inhibitory activity and the reducing power of the fermented black soybean were then examined. It was found that the ACE inhibitory activity of the extracts of bean and viscous material from the fermented black soybeans varied with extraction solvents and starter organism, yet increased as the fermentation period was extended, regardless of starter organism. After 18 h of fermentation, the water extract of bean showed less ACE inhibitory activity than did the respective 80% ethanol extract. While the water extract of viscous material showed a higher ACE inhibitory activity than the respective ethanol extract. With respect to extraction yield, it was found that the ACE inhibitor in the fermented black soybean could be extracted more efficiently with water than 80% ethanol. Fermentation with B. subtilis BCRC 14715 was also found to increase the anthocyanin content of black soybean and the reducing activity of the extracts. Finally, the 80% ethanol extract showed a higher reducing activity than the water extract.     

Radiation-induced enhancement of antioxidant activity in extracts of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.)

Dry rosemary leaf powder was subjected to 30 kGy of gamma ray irradiation, followed by solvent extraction with methanol, ethanol or water. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was assessed using the DPPH radical-scavenging method and the reducing power test. EC₅₀ values, using the radical-scavenging method, indicate a 22% increase in the antioxidant activity of ethanol and water extracts as a result of irradiation treatment. EC₅₀ values in the reducing power test show an increase of 45% and 28% for the ethanol and water extracts, respectively. The antioxidant activity of methanol extracts of irradiated rosemary remained the same as in the controls in both types of test. A high correlation was found between the EC₅₀ values obtained in the DPPH radical test and those from the reducing power test. Total phenolic content (Folin–Denis test) increased by 35% in the water extracts as a result of irradiation but remained the same in the methanol and ethanol extracts. The methanol extract showed the highest antioxidant activity and the highest amount of total phenolic compounds. Radiation reduced the good correlation between antioxidant activity and total phenolic content.     

Phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) leaf, stem and fruit fraction extracts in vitro

Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) has long been regarded as a food and medicinal plant. We investigated the antioxidant activity of the water extract of leaf, stem and fruit fractions by several in vitro systems of assay, namely DPPH radical-scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity, β-carotene–linoleate bleaching assay, ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) assay and total antioxidant capacity. Total phenolic content was measured by Folin–Ciocalteu reagent. Identification of phenolic compounds was achieved using HPLC with the UV-diode array detection. The extracts of different fractions were found to have different levels of antioxidant activity in the systems tested. The leaf extract showed the highest value of antioxidant activity, based on DPPH radical-scavenging activity and ferric reducing power, while the green fruit extract showed the highest value of antioxidant activity, based on hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity, β-carotene–linoleate bleaching assay and total antioxidant capacity. The predominant phenolic compounds were gallic acid, followed by caffeic acid and catechin. The present study demonstrated that the water extract fractions of bitter gourd have different responses with different antioxidant methods. Total phenol content was shown to provide the highest association with FRAP assay in this present study (R² = 0.948).     

Effect of Fermentation Time on the Phenolic,Flavonoid and Vitamin C Contents and Antioxidant Activities of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) Seeds

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of fermentation on the phenolic, vitamin C and total flavonoid contents and antioxidant properties of okra seed. The okra seeds were removed from the pod of matured and fibrous okra that cannot be easily cut with kitchen knife, and was allowed to undergo chance fermentation for 120 h. Samples were taken for antioxidant analysis at 24 h, 72 h and 120 h, respectively. The aqueous extracts of fermented and unfermented okra seeds were obtained and subsequently used for the analysis. The phenolic, vitamin C and total flavonoid contents and the antioxidant properties (ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 1, 1-diphenyl-2 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical-scavenging ability) of the extracts were determined. The results revealed that fermented okra seeds had significantly (p < 0.05) higher phenolic content, vitamin C, total flavonoid and non-flavonoid contents and showed greater antioxidant activities than unfermented okra seed. Okra seeds fermented for 24 h exhibited the highest ferric reducing antioxidant power of 980 mgAAE/100 g and the least IC₅₀ of 2.27 mg/ ml for DPPH free radical-scavenging ability than the others. Okra seeds fermented for 24 hours had significantly (p < 0.05) higher antioxidant activities. The product from fermented okra seeds could be used for the production of functional foods.