Effects of exogenous abscisic acid on antioxidant capacities,anthocyanins, and flavonol contents of muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia) skins

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) on the antioxidant capacity and phenolic content of muscadine grape skins (cvs. Noble and Alachua). ABA was applied on grapes during and after veraison. Average berry weight, total soluble solids (⁰Brix) and pH of the juice from both cultivars were not affected by the ABA treatment. Antioxidant capacity was enhanced by 38% and 18% in treated Noble at the first and second sampling, respectively. High performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed a significant increase in individual anthocyanins in treated Noble grapes at both sampling times. However, increase in the content of ellagic acid, myricetin, quercetin and kaempferol was observed at first sampling only. No effects of ABA treatment were seen in Alachua grapes. Our results indicate that exogenous application of ABA enhances the antioxidant capacity, anthocyanins and phenolic content of muscadine grapes but these effects may vary depending upon the cultivar.     

Effects of binary solvent extraction system,extraction time and extraction temperature on phenolic antioxidants and antioxidant capacity from mengkudu (Morinda citrifolia)

An investigation into the effects of ethanol concentration (0–100%, v/v), extraction time (20–120 min) and extraction temperature (25–65 °C) on the extraction of phenolic antioxidants from mengkudu (Morinda citrifolia) was performed using a single-factor experiment. Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) assays were used for determination of phenolic compounds. Antioxidant capacity was evaluated by measuring the scavenging effect on 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. Experimental results showed that extraction conditions had significant effect on extraction of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacities. The optimised conditions were 40% ethanol for 80 min at 65 °C, with values of 919.95 mg GAE/100 g DW for TPC, 472.73 mg CE/100 g DW for TFC, 791.71 μmol TEAC/100 g DW for ABTS and 1928.5 μmol TEAC/100 g DW for DPPH. TPC was significantly correlated with DPPH under the effects of ethanol concentration (r = 0.932) and extraction time (r = −0.938).     

Effects of oxidised linoleic acid on the formation of Nε‐carboxymethyl‐lysine and Nε‐carboxyethyl‐lysine in Maillard reaction system

This study investigated the effects of oxidised linoleic acid (18:2) on N^ε‐carboxymethyl‐lysine (CML) and N^ε‐carboxyethyl‐lysine (CEL) formation in Maillard reaction systems. Model systems of lysine/glucose (L/G), lysine/18:2 (L/18:2), lysine/18:2/glucose (L/18:2/G), myofibrillar protein/glucose (MFP/G), MFP/18:2 and MFP/18:2/G were maintained at 37 °C for 6 weeks. The results showed that CML/CEL contents in L/G (6.99 and 0.96 mmol mol^?1 lysine, respectively) were significantly higher than those in L/18:2/G (1.43 and 0.41 mmol mol^?1 lysine, respectively), and there is a small amount of CML/CEL generation in L/18:2. However, the CML/CEL levels in MFP/G (197.2 and 83.8 ng mg^?1 protein, respectively) were markedly lower than those in MFP/18:2/G (283.2 and 118.5 ng mg^?1 protein, respectively). 18:2 favours the formation of CML/CEL in MFP/18:2/G, not in L/18:2/G. All these findings indicated that the role of 18:2 on CML/CEL formation in Maillard reaction system was complex, and depended on CML/CEL formation rate and substrate types (lysine or lysine residue in protein).     

Gas chromatographic detection of d-amino acids in natural and thermally treated bee honeys and studies on the mechanism of their formation as result of the Maillard reaction

Relative quantities of d-amino acids, (%D) calculated from the sum of d- and l-amino acids were determined in bee honeys (n=6) by GC-SIM-MS. Amino acids were isolated by treatment with Dowex 50 W X8 cation exchanger and converted into N(O)-perfluoroacyl amino acid propyl esters. In all honeys d-Ala, ranging from 2.2–6.2% d-Ala, was detected. Other d-amino acids were also found, albeit not in all honeys and approached 5.9% d-Glx, 5.4% d-Lys, 3.0% d-Phe, 2.1% d-Orn, 1.7% d-Asx, 1.5% d-Ser, 0.1% d-Pro, and 0.4% d-Val in certain honeys. Quantities of d-amino acids increased very much on experimental heating of honeys in an oven and on a microwave treatment. Conventional heating of a forest honey (no. 1) at 65 °C for 450 h leads to an increase of d-Ala (2.2–12.5%), d-Pro (0.0–5.0%), d-Ser (1.5–9.1%), d-Asx (1.7–9.8%), d-Phe (0.4–5.0%) and d-Glx (1.5–5.8%); first numbers in parentheses refer to unheated honeys. Relative quantities of other d-amino acids also increased. Experimental heating of another forest honey (no. 2) in a microwave oven for 3 min at 180 W leads to an increase of d-Ala (3.7–11.0%), d-Glx (1.5–13.7%), d-Asx (0.7–10.2%), d-Phe (0.3–4.8%), d-Val (0–4.2%), and d-Pro (0.1–2.3%). Microwave treatment at 700 W for 1 min of a blossom honey (no. 3) leads to an increase of d-Ala (6.2–26.7%) and of d-Phe (3.0–10.9%). Microwave treatments were accompanied by intensive destruction of amino acids. Heating of a model mixture mimicking the major components of honey (d-glucose, d-fructose, and l-amino acids at 20% water content) at pH 2.6–9.0 and at 180 W for 1–3 min leads to the generation of d-amino acids and was also accompanied by intensive decay of amino acids. From the data it is concluded that d-amino acids are formed in honeys in the course of the Maillard reaction. A mechanism is presented based on amino acid racemization of reversibly formed Heyns and Amadori compounds (fructose-amino acids).Parts of the results have been presented at 9th International Congress on Amino Acids and Proteins, August 8–12, 2005, Vienna, Austria, and Euro Food Chem XIII, September 21–23, 2005, Hamburg, Germany.     

Impact of the condition of storage of tartaric acid solutions on the production and stability of glyoxylic acid

The production and stability of glyoxylic acid was followed during the storage of tartaric acid solutions under various conditions. The solutions were prepared both with and without ethanol. Quantification of glyoxylic acid and other oxidation products, including hydrogen peroxide and formic acid, were performed using ion exclusion chromatography. Glyoxylic acid was only detected in tartaric acid samples that had been stored outdoors and sunlight was identified as the critical component of outdoor storage that allowed its formation. The hydrogen peroxide and glyoxylic acid generated under these conditions were of limited stability due to their reaction with each other to produce formic acid. The concentration of the glyoxylic acid was greatly increased when ethanol was omitted from the sample matrix. Copper(II) enhanced the stability of glyoxylic acid but slowed its production. The reaction pathway responsible for the sunlight-induced production and subsequent stability of glyoxylic acid is discussed.