Total phenolics,ascorbic acid,and antioxidant capacity of noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) juice and powder as affected by illumination during storage

Total phenolics, ascorbic acid, and antioxidant capacity of noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) juice and powder were determined during storage at 24 °C. After 2 weeks of storage, illuminated noni juice lost 32% of total phenolics, 89% of ascorbic acid, and 46–65% of antioxidant capacity—about 8%, 22%, and 9–15% more than unilluminated juice. Both illuminated and unilluminated juice lost 97% of ascorbic acid by 4 weeks. The difference in antioxidant characteristics between illuminated and unilluminated juice became insignificant at 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, illuminated noni powder lost 21% of total phenolics, 17% of ascorbic acid, and 23–36% of antioxidant capacity—about 13%, 4%, and 7–19% more than the unilluminated powder. Noni powder in brown bottles retained antioxidant characteristics significantly greater than that in clear bottles. Protection from light effectively reduced degradation of antioxidant characteristics of noni juice for only 2 weeks but those of noni powder for at least 3 months.     

Use of kinetic, Weibull and PLSR models to predict the retention of ascorbic acid, total phenols and antioxidant activity during storage of pasteurized pineapple juice

In this study, the usefulness of different mathematical models to predict the retention of ascorbic acid (AA), total phenols (TP) and DPPH radical scavenging activity (SA) of pasteurized pineapple juices during storage has been evaluated. The results indicate that first-order kinetic model provided the best prediction of the degradation of AA (MAE = 0.0059; MRE = 0.0117; MSE = 0.0001; R² = 0.9995) whereas Weibull model provided the less satisfactory prediction (MAE = 0.2387; MRE = 0.2911; MSE = 0.0769; R² = 0.9993). In addition, zero-order (MAE = 0.0016; MRE = 0.0017; MSE = 0.0000; R² = 0.9992) and first-order (MAE = 0.0027; MRE = 0.0029; MSE = 0.0000; R² = 0.9989) kinetic models are adequate models for application in the prediction of TP loss, and first-order kinetic (MAE = 0.0294; MRE = 0.0549; MSE = 0.0015; R² = 0.9845) and Weibull (MAE = 0.0533; MRE = 0.0881; MSE = 0.0044; R² = 0.9823) models are recommended to predict the change of SA. These results show that the behaviors of AA, TP and SA during storage of juices can be accurately described by different prediction models. Therefore, the selection of the most adequate model is of great importance to predict nutritional deterioration in food products during storage.     

Effect of maltodextrins in the water-content-water activity-glass transition relationships of noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) pulp powder

Water sorption behaviour at 25 °C and the water content (x_w)-glass transition temperature (T_g)-water activity (a_w) relationship was determined for noni pulp powder obtained by spray-drying with and without maltodextrin (DE 9-12), at three different MD/noni solid ratios of 1.17, 1.3 and 2.5, in order to know the effect of MD in the powder stability, preventing powder stickiness. The obtained isotherms were sigmoidal and the Guggenheim-Anderson-deBöer (GAB) model was fitted to the experimental data. The glass transition temperatures (T_g) of the different noni powders and maltodextrin in DE 9-12 were obtained using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The equilibrium water content of noni samples containing maltodextrin at a given water activity was lower than that obtained for the maltodextrin-free noni powder. At 25 °C, the critical water content that ensures the glassy state of the noni pulp during storage increased from 0.047 to 0.06 g water/g product when the maltodextrin/noni ratio was greater than 1.3, while the critical water activity increased from 0.13 to nearly 0.5.     

HPLC–MS identification of phenols in hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) kernels

In whole hazelnut kernels, as the main product of hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.), phenols were analysed in 20 hazelnut cultivars by high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS). Twenty-three compounds from different phenolic groups were detected, and 15 of them were identified. In hazelnut kernels, these substances were detected: nine flavan-3-ols, two benzoic acids (gallic and protocatechuic acid), three flavonols and phloretin glycoside. Total phenol concentrations ranged from 70 to 478 mg gallic acid equivalents per kg hazelnut kernels. A high content level of total phenols was observed in the ‘Tonda Gentile delle Langhe’ and ‘Lewis’ cultivars, which was followed by the ‘Corabel’, ‘Fertile de Coutard’, ‘Daria’ and ‘Tonda Gentile Romana’ cultivars. Similarly, the highest antioxidative activity, measured by employing DPPH-antiradical assay, was also found in the ‘Tonda Gentile delle Langhe’ cultivar, followed by the ‘Fertile de Coutard’.     

Isolation and synergism of in vitro anti-inflammatory and quinone reductase (QR) inducing agents from the fruits of Morinda citrifolia (noni)

The tropical fruits and fruit products of Morinda citrifolia, commonly known as noni, are consumed as a food or dietary supplement with purported health benefits. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential anti-inflammatory and cancer preventive effects of noni fruit puree extracts. Bioassay-guided fractionation of an ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract of noni, comprising ~ 2% noni puree solids, led to the isolation of scopoletin (1), rutin (2), and quercetin (3). Quantitative HPLC analysis of the EtOAc extract revealed levels (dry weight basis) of scopoletin at 0.62 ??mol/g, quercetin at 0.26 ??mol/g and rutin at 0.045 ??mol/g. Scopoletin and quercetin inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) in a concentration-dependent manner in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophage cells and exhibited quinone reductase (QR) induction in cultured Hepa 1c1c7 cells. Increases in QR activity in induced cells were associated with increases in QR protein as confirmed by Western blots. Combinations of scopoletin and quercetin at a low (< 10 ??M) concentration resulted in synergistic suppression in nitric oxide (NO) production and down-regulated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expressions in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. These results suggest that the combinations of noni compounds with different groups of chemical structures might be useful to efficiently suppress inflammatory and carcinogenic processes related to iNOS and COX-2 gene overexpression. These findings may provide some basis for the purported in vitro anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects of noni fruits as functional foods and dietary supplements.     

Quality and antioxidant properties of bread containing turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) cultivated in South Korea

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) powder was used to substitute 0%, 2%, 4%, 6% and 8% of wheat flour for making turmeric wheat breads. Proximate composition, physical quality, functional components (curcumin and total phenols) and antioxidant properties of breads containing turmeric were analysed and compared with those of wheat bread. Hardness, crumb colour a and b values, curcumin content and total phenolic contents of breads significantly increased with the addition of turmeric powder. Water activity, specific volume and crumb colour L value of breads decreased with the addition of turmeric powder. Breads containing turmeric powder also showed good antioxidant activity as tested by the β-carotene-linoleate bleaching assay. A 4% substitution of wheat flour with turmeric powder showed acceptable sensory scores which were comparable to wheat bread. Breads containing turmeric powder can thus be developed as a health-promoting functional food.     

Antioxidant properties of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) bagasses obtained as co-product in the juice extraction

The aim of this work was to determine the total phenol (TPC), the total flavonoid (TFC), the tannins contents (TC), organic acids and sugar contents and the antioxidant activity of pomegranate juice extraction bagasses, which were obtained in two different ways: (i) Direct extraction that involved arils and peel (WFB) and (ii) only from arils (AB). Four different test systems were used, namely the 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method, the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP); determination of antioxidant activity with thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) and the ferrous ion-chelating ability (FIC). WFB presented higher total phenolic, flavonoid and tannins contents (10.05 mg gallic acid equivalent/g sample; 7.19 mg rutin equivalent/g sample and 8.18 mg catechin/g sample) than AB. The organic acid detected were oxalic acid, citric acid, malic acid and succinic acid while the sugar identified were fructose and glucose. As regards antioxidant activity, at all concentrations and with all methods, the WFB samples showed a higher antioxidant activity than AB samples. BHT, used as control positive, present higher antioxidant activity than WFB and AB in all antioxidant methods used except in the FRAP assay.The results of this study indicate that pomegranate bagasse obtained as co-product in the process to obtain juice may be considered a good source of natural compounds with significant antioxidant activity which could be suitable for applications on the food industry as potential ingredient for food products.     

Quantification of coumarin derivatives in Noni (Morinda citrifolia) and their contribution of quenching effect on reactive oxygen species

The quantification of coumarin derivatives such as scopoletin, 7-hydroxycoumarin (7-HC) and 4-hydroxycoumarin (4-HC) in Noni (Morinda citrifolia) was described. The coumarin derivatives were determined by HPLC-UV or -fluorescence detection. More than 95% of peak purity for coumarin derivatives in Noni sample was confirmed by a multi-wavelength fluorescence detector. Amounts of scopoletin and 7-HC in Noni juices (A–H) were ranging 5.1–231 μg/ml and 0.04–0.45 μg/ml, respectively (n = 12). No 4-HC was detected in any Noni samples examined.     

Quality attributes of starfruit (Averrhoa carambola L.) juice treated with ultraviolet radiation

Starfruit juice were exposed to ultraviolet (UV-C) light for 0, 30 and 60 min at room temperature (25 ± 1 °C). On exposure, the titratable acidity significantly decreased, while the decrease in °Brix and pH were not significant. With regard to colorimetric parameters, L^∗ value increased significantly with a subsequent decrease in a^∗ and b^∗ values corresponding to UV treatment time. Except for the ascorbic acid, other antioxidants measured (% DPPH inhibition, total phenols, flavonols, flavonoids and antioxidant capacity) showed enhancement on expsoure to UV (significant at 60 min). Microbial studies showed reduction in APC, yeasts and mould counts by 2-log cycle on UV treatments. These results supports the application of UV as a measure of non-thermal and physical food preservation technique for starfruit juice that can be explored commercially to benefit both the producers and consumers.     

Antioxidative activities of chromatographic fractions obtained from root,fruit and leaf of Mengkudu (Morinda citrifolia L.)

Crude extracts of root, leaf and fruit of Morinda citrifolia were fractionated on a Sephadex LH-20 column with ethanol as eluate. Based on UV absorption intensity of phenolic compound (725 mm) the Sephadex LH-20 column was able to separate fruit, leaf and root extracts into six, five and five fractions, respectively. The results showed that all the fractions tested exhibited considerably high antioxidative activity in the ferric thiocyanate assay and thiobarbituric acid test and the activities of some of the fractions were as good as those of either tocopherol or BHT. The fractions from different parts of the plants were found to contain different amounts of total phenolic compounds, which, interestingly, do not correspond to the antioxidative activity measured. This is probably due to the presence of different phenolics in the samples, with different antioxidative activities which involves various mechanisms inhibiting the oxidation process. The study suggested that root, leaf and fruit of M. citrifolia might contribute significantly to exogenous antioxidant which is crucial in combating oxidative stress.     

Influence of technical processing units on polyphenols and antioxidant capacity of carrot (Daucus carrot L.) juice

The effect of three processing units (blanching, enzyme liquefaction, and pasteurisation) on polyphenols and antioxidant activity of carrot juices was investigated. Polyphenols and antioxidant activity of carrot juices varied with different processes. Five polyphenolic acids were identified in fresh carrot juice, and the predominant compound was chlorogenic acid. Compared with fresh carrot juice, blanching and enzyme liquefaction could result in the increase of the total polyphenol content (TPC) and the antioxidant activity in scavenging DPPH free radicals (DPPH) and Fe²⁺-chelating capacity (FC), whereas pasteurisation could result in the decrease of the TPC and the antioxidant activity in DPPH and FC. Meanwhile blanching, enzyme liquefaction, and pasteurisation showed little influence on the antioxidant activity in lipid peroxidation protection. The antioxidant activities in DPPH and FC increased with increasing concentration while no correlation between lipid peroxidation protection and polyphenols concentration. Polyphenols still retained high antioxidant activity after the processes, which have potential health benefits for consumers.     

Antioxidant capacity and anthocyanin profile of sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) juice

The antioxidant capacities, total polyphenolic content and monomeric anthocyanin content of eleven types of sour cherry juice obtained from different varieties of sour cherries were investigated. Antioxidant capacity, total polyphenolic content and monomeric anthocyanin contents of the juices were within the ranges 20.0–37.9 mmol/L, 1510–2550 and 350.0–633.5 mg/L, respectively. The main anthocyanin compound in sour cherry juice was cyanidin-3-glucosylrutinoside at concentrations between 140.3 and 320.9 mg/L. Cyanidin-3-glucosylrutinoside was followed by cyanidin-3-rutinoside within a concentration range of 25.5–85.5 mg/L. Cyanidin-3-sophoroside and cyanidin-3-glucoside contents were relatively low (2.6–21.5 and 2.0–9.9 mg/L). Anthocyanin capacity and total polyphenol content were fairly well correlated (r = 0.742, p < 0.01), whereas the correlation between antioxidant capacity and monomeric anthocyanin content was insignificant (r = 0.423, p > 0.05). The correlation between antioxidant capacity – cya-3-glucosylrutinoside (r = 0.606, p < 0.01) and antioxidant capacity – cya-3-rutinoside (r = 0.628, p < 0.01) was significant.     

Optimisation of accelerated solvent extraction of antioxidant compounds from rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), marjoram (Origanum majorana L.) and oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) using response surface methodology

The present study optimised the accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) conditions (Dionex ASE® 200, USA) to maximise the antioxidant capacity of the extracts from three spices of Lamiaceae family; rosemary, oregano and marjoram. Optimised conditions with regard to extraction temperature (66–129 °C) and solvent concentration (32–88% methanol) were identified using response surface methodology (RSM). For all three spices results showed that 129 °C was the optimum temperature in order to obtain extracts with high antioxidant activity. Optimal methanol concentrations with respect to the antioxidant activity of rosemary and marjoram extracts were 56% and 57% respectively. Oregano showed a different response to the effect of methanol concentration and was optimally extracted at 33%. The antioxidant activity yields of the optimal ASE extracts were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than solid/liquid extracts. The predicted models were highly significant (p < 0.05) for both total phenol (TP) and ferric reducing antioxidant property (FRAP) values in all the spices with high regression coefficients (R²) ranging from 0.952 to 0.999.     

Comparative analyses of total phenols,flavonoids, saponins and antioxidant activity in yellow soy beans and mung beans

Total phenol, flavonoid and saponin content of soy bean and mung bean were systemically compared in order to evaluate their contribution to overall antioxidant activity. Mung bean extract possessed significantly higher total phenol (2.03 GAE g^?1 vs. 1.13 GAE g^?1) and flavonoid contents (1.49 GAE g^?1 vs. 0.41 CAE g^?1) than soy bean extract, while the saponin content of the soy beans was 4.5 times greater than that of the mung beans. In several antioxidant assays including DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging, FRAP, SOD‐like activity, and a β‐carotene bleaching assay, mung bean extract consistently showed significantly greater antioxidant activity than soy bean extract. The specific antioxidant activity, which was evaluated at the same phenolic content suggested that the phenolic compounds present in the mung bean extract were not only of greater quantity but also had better quality to eliminate radicals. The radical scavenging activities of saponins were only marginal.     

Monomeric phenols of cashew apple (Anacardium occidentale L.)

Monomeric phenols were extracted by acetone/water (60:40) from the skin and flesh of four cashew apple genotypes from Brazil and Bénin (West Africa), purified by absorption chromatography and subjected to HPLC-DAD/ESI-MS analysis. Skins were found much richer than fleshes in simple phenolics. Flavonol glycosides were dominant with myricetin and quercetin hexosides (2 of each), pentosides (3 of each), and rhamnosides as major compounds. Anthocyanidin glycosides were detected in skins from the two scarlet and orange pigmented genotypes as peonidin, petunidin and cyanidin 3-O-hexosides, and were absent from fleshes.     

Influence of strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) fruit ripening stage on chemical composition and antioxidant activity

Arbutus unedo is a widespread shrub with economic importance, derived from the use of its berries in the production of alcoholic beverages and in folk medicine. This work intends to evaluate for the first time the effect of fruit ripening stage on antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, fatty acid profile and tocopherol composition. Ripe fruits shown higher extraction yield (45.04 ± 2.23%) when compared to other fruit ripening stages. By contrast, total phenol contents were higher in the unripe and intermediate stage of ripeness (108 and 111 mg GAES/g dry fruit, respectively, against 60 mg/g dry fruit when ripe). Ripe and intermediate fruits shown the lower EC₅₀ values on the DPPH radicals (0.25 ± 0.02 mg/mL) and reducing power assay (1.09 ± 0.05 mg/mL), respectively. A significant correlation was established between antioxidant activity and fruits ripening stage. Fatty acid profiles were very similar between the ripening stages, being alfa-linolenic, linoleic and oleic, the three major ones. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) represent as much as 60% of the total fatty acids, with a highly favorable omega 3/omega 6 ratio. From the analysis of the vitamin E vitamers, the most important was ??-tocotrienol, with a clear reduction in the total free vitamin E content with ripening.These results highlight that the fruits of intermediate ripeness can be regarded important sources of biologically active compounds with a fatty acid profile rich in omega-3 PUFA, properly supplemented with high vitamin E amounts.     

Rheological characteristics of tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) juice concentrates

The steady-shear and small-amplitude oscillatory rheological properties of tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) juice concentrate (TJC) were studied in the temperature range of 10-90 °C using a controlled-stress rheometer. Under steady-shear deformation tests, shear stress-shear rate data were adequately fitted to the Herschel-Bulkley and Casson model at lower (10-30 °C) and higher (50−90 °C) temperature range, respectively. The Carreau model was applied to describe the shear-thinning behaviour of the concentrate, and the model parameters estimated empirically showed temperature dependence. Oscillatory shear data of TJC revealed predominating viscous behaviour (G″>G′) at lower frequency range while the elastic modulus predominating over the viscous one (G′>G″) at higher frequency range. The Cox-Merz rule that relates steady shear and dynamic material functions was tested and not followed by most of the temperatures. The specific heat of TJC increased with temperature and the glass transition temperature of the product was found to be −70.74 °C.