HPLC-MSn identification and quantification of phenolic compounds in hazelnut kernels,oil and bagasse pellets

The paper reports the phenolic content of kernels, bagasse pellets (residue of oil pressing) and oils from five different cultivars and a mix of cultivars. Phenolic compounds were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Two compounds, glansreginin A and glansreginin B, were detected for the first time in hazelnuts. The main polyphenolic subclass comprised of mono- and oligomeric flavan 3-ols, which accounted between 34.2 and 58.3% in hazelnut kernels and between 36.7 and 48.6% in pellets of the total phenolics detected. In hazelnut oils four compounds have been detected, their content levels ranged from 0.97 to 0.01 μg g^− 1. Total phenolic content ranged from 491.2 to 1700.4 mg GAE kg^− 1 in kernels, from 848.4 to 1148.5 mg GAE kg^− 1 in pellets and only from 0.14 to 0.25 mg GAE g^− 1 in oils. The percentage of radical scavenging activity ranged from 60.0 to 96.4% for kernels, 63.0 to 73.2% for pellets and from 17.7 to 29.9% for oil. The study provides clear evidence on high phenolic contents and similarly high antioxidant potential of hazelnut kernels and bagasse pellets. The latter could be used as ingredients in cooking and baking or even for production of plant-based pharmaceuticals.     

Simultaneous determination of anthocyanins,coumarins and phenolic acids in fruits,kernels and liqueur of Prunus mahaleb L

In the fresh tissues of Prunus mahaleb L., three classes of phenolics were characterised: phenolic acid derivatives (main compound being o-coumaric acid glucoside), quercetin glycosides, and anthocyanins (cyanidin 3,5-diglucoside, cyanidin 3-sambubioside, cyanidin 3-xylosyl-rutinoside and cyanidin 3-rutinoside). Coumarin was also identified. The kernels showed a high content of coumarin (0.87 mg g^?1) which is the main class of metabolites in this sample, but present in pitted berries as well (0.63 mg g^?1). Flavonoids are mainly concentrated in the skin and pulp (0.55 mg g^?1). In ‘Mirinello di Torremaggiore’ liqueur, produced from P. mahaleb L. in accordance with traditional procedures, anthocyanins make up 16.5%, phenolic acids 43.3%, coumarin 36.2% and flavonoids 4% of total compounds. Anthocyanins are the main class in solid residues from liqueur production (70%). These findings point out that solid residues of P. mahaleb can be considered an interesting and innovative source of appreciable amounts of cyanidin glycosides (3.3 mg g^?1).     

Tea and herbal infusions: Their antioxidant activity and phenolic profile

Tea and herbal infusions have been studied for their polyphenolic content, antioxidant activity and phenolic profile. The total phenolics recovered by ethyl acetate from the water extract, were determined by the Folin–Ciocalteu procedure and ranged from 88.1 ± 0.42 (Greek mountain tea) to 1216 ± 32.0 mg (Chinese green tea) GAE (Gallic acid equivalents)/cup. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by two methods, DPPH and chemiluminescence assays, using Trolox and quercetin as standards. The EC₅₀ of herbal extracts ranged from 0.151 ± 0.002 mg extract/mg DPPH (0.38 quercetin equivalents and 0.57 Trolox equivalents), for Chinese green tea, to 0.77 ± 0.012 mg extract/mg DPPH (0.08 quercetin equivalents and 0.13 Trolox equivalents), for Greek mountain tea. Chemiluminescence assay results showed that the IC₅₀ ranged from 0.17 ± 3.4 × 10⁻³ μg extract/ml of the final solution in the measuring cell (1.89 quercetin and 5.89 Trolox equivalents) for Chinese green tea, to 1.10 ± 1.86 × 10⁻² g extract/ml of the final solution in the measuring cell (0.29 quercetin and 0.90 Trolox equivalents) for Greek mountain tea. The phenolic profile in the herbal infusions was investigated by LC-DAD-MS in the positive electrospray ionization (ESI⁺) mode. About 60 different flavonoids, phenolic acids and their derivatives have been identified.     

Comparison of different methods for extracting polyphenols from Ipomoea batatas leaves,and identification of antioxidant constituents by HPLC-QTOF-MS2

This study aimed to compare the extraction efficiency of dynamic high pressure microfluidization-assisted extraction (DHPMAE) and other commonly used extraction methods on the antioxidant activities (AAs) of sweet potato leaves (Ipomoea batatas L., SPL), and to identify the antioxidant compounds by HPLC-QTOF-MS². Two highly consumed commercial varieties, orange-fleshed and cream-fleshed sweet potato leaves (OFL and CFL), were taken as materials. OFL was evidenced to be a better antioxidants resource than CFL due to higher polyphenols and AAs. DHPMAE had the best extraction efficiency on total phenolics and total flavonoids, with the values in OFL extract at 16.35 mg GAE/g DM and 16.51 mg RE/g DM, respectively. DHPMAE extract also exhibited the strongest DPPH· and ABTS·⁺ scavenging ability, chelating ability and reducing power. Multiple regression analysis revealed that polyphenols played an important contribution to the AAs of SPL extracts. After successive fractionation of DHPMAE extract by chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol, the ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest total phenolic (569.38 mg GAE/g Extract) and total flavonoid (43.15 mg RE/g Extract) content, as well as the highest AAs. HPLC-QTOF-MS² analysis of the ethyl acetate fraction resulted in identifying 37 compounds including 20 phenolic acids, 12 flavonoids, 3 organic acids, 1 nucleoside and 1 ester, and 20 of them were firstly detected in SPL. Caffeoylquinic acid derivatives and flavonoids were the most abundant antioxidant compounds. The presented results suggested that DHPM might be a promising assisted technology in extracting polyphenols from plants, and SPL could be utilized for the development of functional food.     

Phenolic composition,antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of free and bound phenolic extracts of Moringa oleifera seed flour

Phenolic compounds, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of defatted Moringa oleifera seed flour (DMF) were investigated. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were measured using colorimetric methods. Free phenolic acid and flavonoid profiles were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography, while antioxidant capacities were evaluated using scavenging assays of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power and total antioxidant capacity. The results showed that extractability of phenolic compounds was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in bound phenolic extract (4173.00 ± 32.22 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 g) than in free phenolic extract (780.00 ± 14.2 mg GAE/100 g) and it showed higher antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The IC₅₀ value for DPPH radical scavenging activity was 0.9 ± 0.05 and 14.9 ± 0.07 mg/mL for bound phenolic and free phenolic extracts, respectively. Bound phenolic extract was more effective (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), 0.06–0.157%) than free phenolic extract (MIC, 0.117–0.191%) against tested bacteria. Ten phenolic compounds (gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, protocatechuic acid, cinnamic acid, catechin, epicatechin, vanillin and quercetin) were identified and quantified in both extracts. These natural plant phenolics from Moringa seeds could be a good source of antioxidants and antibacterials for food and pharmaceutical industries.     

Solvent extraction and in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion of phenolic compounds from purple sweet potato

The total content of phenolic compounds in purple sweet potato (PSP) was determined and the release of such compounds from PSP in gastrointestinal digestion was studied in vitro. The extraction conditions for the maximum recovery of free phenol (FP) and bound phenol (BP) from PSP were determined by response surface methodology (RSM). The maximum recovery of FPPSP was 14.16 ± 0.87 mg GAE per g short for dry weight (DW), which was obtained using 60% (v/v) ethanol maceration with a liquid–solid ratio of 57.21:1 (mL g⁻¹) at 51.93 °C for 2.12 h. The maximum recovery for BPPSP was 7.54 mg GAE per g DW, which was obtained upon hydrolysis with 1.87 mol L⁻¹ NaOH at a liquid–solid ratio of 35.93:1 (mL g⁻¹) for 4.74 h. The maximum phenolic content was released after 1 and 2 h for the in vitro gastric and intestinal digestion respectively. The release of the phenolics was promoted by pepsin and gastric acid during gastric digestion, while it was further promoted by trypsin during intestinal digestion.     

Analysis of antioxidant activity and antioxidant constituents of Chinese toon

Antioxidant activity of the methanol and water extracts of Chinese toon (Toona sinensis) leaf was evaluated using DPPH radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation assays. Contents of four major types of antioxidants including β-carotene, ascorbate, α-tocopherol and phenolics were also quantified. Open column chromatography followed by semi-preparative HPLC were applied to separate phenolic antioxidants whose contents were subsequently determined by HPLC. The methanol extract demonstrated much higher antioxidant activity than the water extract. Contents of β-carotene, ascorbate, α-tocopherol and phenolics were 1.23 μmol g^?1, 34.2 μmol g^?1, 2.40 μmol g^?1 and 872 μmol gallic acid equivalents g^?1, respectively. Six phenols were isolated. Their structures were characterized as 5-O-galloylquinic acid, gallic acid, methyl gallate, β-1,2,6-tri-O-galloyl-d-glucose, quercetin 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside and quercetin 3-O-(2′′-O-galloyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside, respectively. The results indicate that phenolic compounds are the dominant antioxidants in Chinese toon. The compounds β-1,2,6-tri-O-galloyl-d-glucose and quercetin 3-O-(2′′-O-galloyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside were reported for the first time in Chinese toon.     

Adaptability of some French red grape varieties cultivated at two different Portuguese terroirs: Comparative analysis with two Portuguese red grape varieties using physicochemical and phenolic parameters

In the last year's, several French grape varieties have been introduced in different world wine regions, increasing their representation in the world. Consequently, it is important to analyze the adaptability of several red grape varieties from French origin to the other specific ‘terroirs’ and compare their characteristics with native grape varieties. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical and phenolic composition of five French red grape varieties and two Portuguese red grape varieties grown at two different Portuguese wine regions. In general, French (except ‘Alicante Bouschet’ grape variety) and Portuguese red grape varieties collected in the vineyard located in ‘Dão’ wine region had higher positive physicochemical characteristics, especially for estimated alcohol degree and titratable acidity. Regarding the phenolic composition, French grape varieties showed significantly higher values of total phenols and flavonoid compounds, especially for the grape samples collected in the vineyard located in ‘Dão’ region. Thus, for example ‘Alicante Bouschet’ grape variety showed the highest values for total phenolic (global average value from 0.636 to 0.894 mg g^− 1 of berry) and flavonoid compounds (global average value from 0.584 to 0.834 mg g^− 1 of berry). However, for total anthocyanins it was clear that the two Portuguese grape varieties studied (‘Touriga Nacional’ and ‘Tinta Roriz’) showed significantly highest values independently of the wine region considered (global average value ranged from 0.603 to 0.785 mg g^− 1 of berry). Similar tendency was also confirmed by significantly highest global average values for the sum of the glycosylated derivatives, where the values ranged from 0.389 to 0.539 mg g^− 1 of berry, for the two Portuguese grape varieties considered.     

Extraction of antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds from Inga marginata Willd bark and pulp using different extraction techniques and phytochemical characterization

This study aimed to identify the least aggressive and highest yield extraction method to obtain bioactive compounds from Inga marginata Willd fruits, determine the chemical components, and evaluate the extracts’' antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity. The extraction efficiency was expressed by the total phenolic and total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity (DPPH, IC₅₀, and ORAC) using conventional, ultrasound, and microwave-assisted extraction. The highest bioactive compound content was achieved using 5 min at 60 °C for total phenolic content (214.98 mg GAE g⁻¹), total flavonoid content (22.90 mg EQ g⁻¹), DPPH (45.98 μmol TEAC g⁻¹), inhibitory capacity (0.80 mg mL⁻¹), and ORAC (167.25 μmol Trolox g⁻¹) using ultrasonic extraction, and the extract inhibited the growth of all microorganisms tested. Thirteen chemical compounds were determined by ESI-ToF-MS, confirming the high phytochemical capacity of the extract. Lastly, the Inga extract showed no cytotoxicity at the concentrations used.     

Biochemical changes throughout the ripening of a traditional Spanish goat cheese variety (Babia-Laciana)

The physico-chemical characteristics, proteolysis (classical nitrogen fractions, caseins and their degradation products and free amino acids), and lipolysis (fat acidity and free fatty acids) were studied throughout the ripening of three batches of Babia-Laciana cheese, a Spanish traditional variety made from raw goats’ milk. The main compositional characteristics of this cheese at the end of the ripening are its high content of total solids (TS) (78.0±2.4 g 100 g⁻¹ of cheese) and fat (61.1±1.2 g 100 g⁻¹ of TS), the presence of residual lactose (1.6±0.8 g 100 g⁻¹ of TS) and its low content of sodium chloride (1.1±0.7 g 100 g⁻¹ of TS) and ash (2.8±0.5 g 100 g⁻¹ of TS). Its pH values (4.44±0.72) are extraordinarily low. The evolution and final values of the different nitrogen fractions show that this cheese undergoes a very slight proteolysis, a fact which was corroborated when the caseins and their degradation products were quantified: β-casein did not undergo any modification throughout ripening, while only 21% of the α_s-caseins were degraded. Free amino acids content increased by a factor of about 7 throughout ripening, resulting in a high content of γ-amino butyric acid and a low content of glutamic acid at the end of the process. Fat acidity increased very slightly, approximately 4.5 times, during ripening, reaching final values of 3.5±2.2 mg KOH g⁻¹ of fat. The total free fatty acids content showed a similar evolution to fat acidity. At the end of the ripening process, the main free fatty acid was C_18:1, followed by C₁₆ and C₁₀.     

Pleurotusostreatus and Agaricus subrufescens: investigation of chemical composition and antioxidant properties of these mushrooms cultivated with different handmade and commercial supplements

In this study, the chemical composition, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity (DPPH, ORAC and FRAP assays) of A. subrufescens and P. ostreatus, cultivated with handmade and commercials supplements, were compared. Additionally, the compounds ergosterol, saccharopine, and hexitol were identified in A. subrufescens by HPLC-MS/MS. The antioxidant compound p-coumaric acid and dihexoses was found in both mushroom species. A. subrufescens presented higher total phenolic content (73.8 ± 0.6 mg GAE 100 g⁻¹) and antioxidant activity than P. ostreatus (16.6 ± 0.5 mg GAE 100 g⁻¹). The handmade supplement based on the waste of noble grains presented statistically similar phenolic content to the mushrooms cultivated with commercial ones Spawn Mate II SE (86.1 ± 1.4 and 92.9 ± 0.3 mg GAE 100 g⁻¹, respectively). Therefore, the results support the use of handmade supplements based on agro-wastes as a viable alternative to the use of high-cost commercial ones.     

Development and validation of a LC-ESI-MS/MS method for the determination of phenolic compounds in honeydew honeys with the diluted-and-shoot approach

A simple, reproducible and sensitive method has been optimized and validated for simultaneous determination of 32 phenolic compounds in bracatinga (Mimosa scabrella Benth.) with the diluted-and-shoot approach, without the need of any additional clean-up steps. It has been based on high performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry and electrospray ionization (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS). The chromatography conditions were optimized, and due to the selectivity provided by MRM monitoring, LC separation required only 9 min. The developed method was validated on the basis of Eurachem and European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC guidelines. Mean recoveries ranged from 70.4 to 110%. Intra-day and inter-day precision with RSD (relative standard deviations) from 0.14 to 18.9% and 0.34 to 20.0%, respectively were achieved. Limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) ranged from 0.03 to 3.20 μg L^− 1 and 0.20–12.8 μg L^− 1. Finally, the method was applied to samples and 20 phenolic compounds were quantified in all the samples analyzed, representing a contribution to the characterization and quantification of phenolic compounds from bracatinga (M. scabrella Bentham) honeydew honey.     

In-vitro mineral binding capacity of five fiber sources and their insoluble components for magnesium and calcium1

In-vitro binding of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) by total dietary fiber, hemicellulose A (HCL A), lignocellulose (LCL), cellulose (CL), and lignin (L) fractions isolated from rice bran (RB), wheat bran (WB), oat fiber (OF), apple fiber (AF) and tomato fiber (TF) was evaluated. At pH 6.8, significant amounts of Ca were bound by whole fibers, ranging from 800 μg g⁻¹ for RB to 10 097 μg g⁻¹ for TF. Mg bound by whole fibers varied from 496 μg g⁻¹ for OF to 2177 μg g⁻¹ for WB. Re-acid washing (pH<2.0) released 95–99% of the Ca and Mg bound to the fibers. Fibers with the highest endogenous Ca and Mg concentrations bound significantly (P<0.05) the highest amounts of the minerals studied. The Ca bound by HCL A varied from 9753 μg g⁻¹ for RB to 11 337 mg g⁻¹ for TF, whereas Mg bound varied from 1151 μg g⁻¹ for OF to 5626  μg g⁻¹ for TF hemicellulose fractions, respectively. Among the fiber components, Mg binding decreased in the order HCL A>LCL>L>CL, whereas Ca bound was in the order HCL A>LCL>CL>L. A relatively strong correlation was observed between the combined effects of protein content, hemicellulose, and lignin vs total Ca and Mg bound. 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved     

Microwave and ultrasound assisted extraction of phytocompounds from black jamun pulp: Kinetic and thermodynamics characteristics

The present study focuses on the extraction of phenolic compounds, anthocyanin and antioxidants from black jamun pulp by microwave and ultrasound assisted extraction process. The microwave-assisted extraction was carried out for 240 s at microwave power level of 100–400 W. The yield of total anthocyanin and total phenolic content in the microwave assisted extraction process at 400 W power level after an extraction period of 240 s was 8.197 mg of C3G g⁻¹ and 37.671 40.632 mg GAE g⁻¹, respectively. The ultrasound assisted extraction was performed at temperatures of 40, 50, 60, and 70 °C for 150 min. In the ultrasound assisted extraction at a sonication temperature of 70 °C, the yield of anthocyanin was 8.525 mg of C3G g⁻¹, while the yield of the phenolic compound was 47.331 mg GAE g⁻¹. The pseudo-second order model was found to be the most suitable model to represent the extraction kinetics of anthocyanin, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity of black jamun pulp. The effective diffusion coefficient for ultrasound assisted extraction of phenolic components, anthocyanin, and antioxidant activity in the temperature range of 40-70 °C was 5.704× 10⁻¹²–10.515 10⁻¹², 2.485× 10⁻¹² -8.507× 10⁻¹², and 2.061× 10⁻¹²–11.977 × 10⁻¹² m².s⁻¹ respectively. The negative Gibbs free energy change values for extraction of phenolic compounds and anthocyanin specified that the reaction was feasible and spontaneous. Thermodynamic parameters such as positive enthalpy change and positive entropy change indicated that the ultrasound assisted extraction process was endothermic and irreversible in nature.     

Chemical composition and potential of some underutilized tropical biomass. I: fluted pumpkin (telfairia occidentalis)

The seeds of Telfairia occidentalis have been subjected to standard chemical analysis to evaluate their properties. Proximate analysis indicated a low moisture content (6.30 ± 0.50%). The ash content was slightly higher than the range recommended for compounding of animal feed (3.44 ± 0.06%). The carbohydrate content was low (16.5 ± 0.12%). Starch, however, constituted the dominant carbohydrate (62.5 ± 0.48), while three sugars, glucose, fructose and sucrose were detected in the seed. The crude protein in the seed was high (16.0 ± 0.03%), a value which compared favourably with high protein seeds and nuts. In all, 16 amino acids were detected in the protein. Glutamic acid showed the highest concentration (16.4 g 100 g⁻¹), while lysine showed the lowest (2.6 g 100 g⁻¹). The brown oil extracted from the seed (yield 48.6 ± 0.94) had the following physicochemical properties; acid value, 3.05 ± 0.80 g, saponification value 166 ± 1.34 mg/KOH g⁻¹, free fatty acids, 0.3 g and peroxide value 3.02 ± 0.07 mg Eq kg⁻¹. The iodine value (80.1 ± 0.10)g 100 g⁻¹ indicated a preponderance of unsaturated fatty acid. Four fatty acids were detected whilst unsaturated acids constituted 61.3 g. Triglyceride was the dominant lipid species while hydrocarbons, waxes, sterols and sterol esters and higher alcohols, were detected in the unsaponifable matter. Results of nutritionally valuable mineral elements indicated that potassium occurred at the highest concentration.     

Identification and quantification of phenolic acids and flavonol glycosides in Tunisian Morus species by HPLC-DAD and HPLC–MS

The total polyphenol and flavonoids in leaves of Morus alba var. alba, Morus alba var. rosa and Morus rubra were determined and identification of their components was carried out. The total content of phenolics varied between 345.20 and 631.53 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 g dry weight (DW) basis. The total amount of flavonoids ranged between 193.87 and 398.33 mg rutin equivalents (RE)/100 g DW. Thirteen compounds were isolated by chromatography, and their structures determined to be mainly flavonol glycosides and phenolic acids. Three novel components were identified as kaempferol-7-O-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-β-glucoside-7-O-α-rhamnoside and quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside-7-O-glucoside, for the first time from mulberry leaves. Others known compounds were also identified.     

Effective valorisation of distillery stillage by integrated production of lactic acid and high quality feed

Utilization of distillery stillage from bioethanol production for lactic acid and feed production was studied. The lactic acid fermentation of the stillage was performed by Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC 7469 and maximal lactic acid concentration of 50.18 g L^− 1, yield of 0.90 g g^− 1, productivity of 1.48 g L^− 1 h^− 1 and viable cell number of 5 × 10⁹ CFU mL^− 1 were achieved. Solid residues with biomass remains after lactic acid fermentation were assessed for animal consumption. The content of proteins and ash decreased in the residues after the fermentation, whilst the content of oil and nitrogen free extract was higher when compared to unfermented samples. The digestible (17480.64 kJ kg^− 1) and metabolisable (17389.08 kJ kg^− 1) energies as well as digestibility (966.95 g kg^− 1) of the fermentation residue were very high. The in vitro assessment of L. rhamnosus ATCC 7469 survival in simulated gastric conditions has shown high survival rate (87%). In addition, this bacterium has shown good antimicrobial activity against the most important pathogens and capability to produce exopolysaccharide on different sugars present in animal diet. After effective lactic acid fermentation, the residues could be recommended as a high quality feed for monogastric animals.     

Effect of commercial adjunct cultures on proteolysis in low-fat Kefalograviera-type cheese

The effect of two commercially available adjunct cultures, LBC 80 (Lactobacillus casei subsp. rhamnosus) and CR-213 (containing Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris and Lc. lactis subsp. lactis) on the proteolysis in low-fat hard ewes’ milk cheese of Kefalograviera-type was investigated. Two controls, a full-fat cheese (306 g kg⁻¹ fat, 378 g kg⁻¹ moisture) and a low-fat cheese (97 g kg⁻¹ fat, 486 g kg⁻¹ moisture, made using a modified procedure), were also prepared. The effect of adjunct culture on proteolysis, as examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of cheese and water soluble cheese extracts, was marginal. The reverse-phase HPLC peptide profiles of the water soluble extracts from low-fat cheeses were similar although some quantitative differences were observed between low-fat control cheese and experimental cheeses. The fat content as reflected by the differences in peptide profiles affected the pattern of proteolysis. Proteolysis, as measured by the percentage of total nitrogen soluble in water or in 120 g L⁻¹ trichloroacetic acid, was significantly (P<0.05) affected by the addition of adjunct cultures. Furthermore, the adjunct cultures enhanced the production of low molecular mass nitrogenous compounds; the levels of total nitrogen, soluble in 50 g L⁻¹ phosphotungstic acid, and of free amino acids were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the low-fat experimental cheeses than in the low-fat control cheese.     

Flour of banana (Musa AAA) peel as a source of antioxidant phenolic compounds

Banana peel is an underused by-product that can be processed to obtain flour that is more easily stored for further uses. The extracts of banana peel flour exhibited a high total phenolic content (around 29 mg/g, as GAE) due to the occurrence of important amounts of flavonoid phenolics: highly polymerized prodelphinidins (around 3952 mg/kg), followed by decreasing lower contents of flavonol glycosides (mainly 3-rutinosides and predominantly quercetin-based structures, accounting for around 129 mg/kg), B-type procyanidin dimers and monomeric flavan-3-ols (jointly around 126 mg/kg). The high total phenolic content of extracts of banana peel flour is likely responsible for the very high antioxidant activity (μM/g, as Trolox equivalents) measured by three different methods: FRAP, around 14 μM/g; ABTS, around 242 μM/g; and ORAC, around 436 μM/g. All these results suggest the interest in going in depth of the good use of banana peel as a profitable source of bioactive phenolic compounds.     

Aluminium in foodstuffs

The aluminium content of a comprehensive food assortment typical of German nutritional habits was determined within the framework of market basket studies. Carried out in 1988 and 1991, a total of 128 items out of 12 groups of foodstuffs were included in this investigation. Aluminium content of the food assortment was low and comparable with literature data. Most investigated foodstuffs contained <5 μg Al g⁻¹ FM. Highest concentrations were determined in cocoa/cocoa products (33 μg g⁻¹), spices (145 μg g⁻¹) and black tea leaves (899 μg g⁻¹). In general, aluminium content of frequently consumed food, increased in the following order: beverages, food of animal origin, food of plant origin. With this low level of aluminium concentration in food, there is no danger of aluminium exposure in healthy persons.