Approaches to understanding the contribution of anthocyanins to the antioxidant capacity of pasteurized pomegranate juices

Influence of processing and storage conditions on anthocyanin stability and antioxidant activity of clarified and cloudy juices from arils of the ‘Mollar’ pomegranate variety was studied. Clarification process reduced the content of total monomeric and individual anthocyanins, and increased the antioxidant activity of pomegranate juice. Thermal treatments (65 and 90 °C for 30 or 5 s) decreased the percentage of polymeric anthocyanin form, increasing on the contrary the monomeric one. In any case, storage temperature was the main factor affecting all the parameters tested. Cyanidin 3-O-glucoside (Cy3G) was more instable than delphinidin 3,5-di (Dp3,5dG) and cyaniding 3,5-diglucosides (Cy3,5dG). A linear relationship was observed between oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and total monomeric anthocyanins, suggesting that they contributed strongly to the antioxidant capacity. Results presented in this study show that hurdle technology (heating plus refrigeration) may help to reduce anthocyanin degradation in pasteurized pomegranate juice, avoiding a dramatic impact on its colour and preserving the beneficial effects of this specific bioactive compounds on human health.     

Composition of anthocyanins in pomegranate flowers and their antioxidant activity

Anthocyanins in the flowers of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) were extracted and separated by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and Sephadex LH-20 chromatography. Two anthocyanins were identified to be pelargonidin 3,5-diglucoside and pelargonidin 3-glucoside by spectral methods, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy and comparisons with the literature. These two anthocyanins were identified from pomegranate flowers for the first time. Furthermore, the antioxidant activities of purified anthocyanins were screened for their antioxidative potential using 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) and 3-ethyl-benzo-thiazoline-6-sulphonate (ABTS) systems. The purified anthocyanins showed strong radical scavenging activities. Pelargonidin 3-glucoside showed higher antioxidant activity (50% inhibition values of 19.56 μg/ml for DPPH and Trolox equivalents antioxidant activity of 2.39 μg/μg for ABTS) than pelargonidin 3,5-diglucoside.     

Influence of packaging material on pomegranate juice colour and bioactive compounds,during storage

Pomegranate juices were assessed after pasteurisation and storage in different packaging materials: transparent and green glass, and paperboard carton with polyethylene layers (Minibrik‐200). The main objective was to establish the influence of the container on the stability of colour and bioactive compounds (anthocyanins, ellagic acid and other non‐coloured phenols). Results showed that non‐coloured phenols and ellagic acid were quite stable during the storage period. In contrast, anthocyanins degraded, to an extent directly proportional to colour loss, less for those juices stored in glass bottles than for those stored in Minibrik. These results indicated that these paperboard carton containers are oxygen permeable, and that oxygen has a greater influence on anthocyanin, and consequently on colour degradation, than light on pomegranate juice during storage. Nevertheless, the antioxidant activity was not influenced by the packaging material employed. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Identification and quantification of phenolic compounds and their effects on antioxidant activity in pomegranate juices of eight Iranian cultivars

Important health-promoting compounds, including six types of anthocyanins, phytoestrogenic flavonoids and ellagic acid were determined individually in pomegranate juices (Punica granatum L.) of eight Iranian cultivars by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to UV–vis detector (HPLC–UV) using individual calculation from the peak area based on standard curves of each component. Total phenolics and antioxidant activities were determined by Folin–Ciocalteu and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) methods, respectively, and compared among the cultivars. The predominant anthocyanins were delphinidin 3,5-diglucoside (372–5301 mg/l) followed by cyanidin 3,5-diglucoside (242–2361 mg/l), delphinidin 3-glucoside (49–1042 mg/l) and pelargonidin 3,5-diglucoside (7–90 mg/l), respectively. The highest level of total tannins was found in Sweet Alak cultivar (3 mg/l). Saveh Black Leather showed the highest level of ellagic acid (160 mg/l). Antioxidant activity varied among the cultivars (18–42 Trolox equivalents antioxidant capacity) and was directly related to the total phenolics in each type of juice.     

Purification,antioxidant activity and protein-precipitating capacity of punicalin from pomegranate husk

Punicalin is a kind of ellagitannin, existing in pomegranate husk, and has shown remarkable biological activities. A rapid and large-scale separation method of punicalin from pomegranate husk was established, using medium pressure liquid chromatography (MPLC). The optimal mobile phase consisted of 5% methanol and 0.1% (v/v) TFA in water, and the optimal loading amount and flow rate were 1.0 g and 80 ml/min, respectively. Under this condition, 339 mg of 95.9% punicalin could be obtained in 40 min. 59.7 mg of 78.0% gallic acid could be separated simultaneously. This method was practical for industrial utilisation of pomegranate husk. Afterwards, the antioxidant and protein-precipitating capacities of the purified punicalin, together with punicalagin, were evaluated. Results showed that punicalin had strong antioxidant activity, and it exhibited a low affinity for protein. This suggested that the antioxidant of punicalin would not be greatly masked by tannin–protein precipitation in application, and hence confirmed punicalin to be a promising antioxidant.     

Physicochemical parameters,bioactive compounds and microbial quality of sonicated pear juice

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of sonication on physicochemical parameters and microorganisms of pear juice. Ultrasound processing of fresh pear juice was done at fixed amplitude [70% (500 W) and frequency (25 kHz) for 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 min at 25 °C. Total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity and Ca and Mn remained stable, while the cloud value, ascorbic acid, total phenols, total flavonoids, total antioxidant capacity, sugar contents and Na, K, Fe and Mg showed a significant increase. Decreases in microbial population and P and Cu were also observed. It may be inferred that ultrasound processing for 60 min exhibited optimum results in terms of physicochemical and microbial quality.     

Impact of high-intensity pulsed electric fields variables on vitamin C, anthocyanins and antioxidant capacity of strawberry juice

A response surface methodology was used to determine the combined effect of HIPEF critical processing conditions on vitamin C, anthocyanins and antioxidant capacity of strawberry juice. Keeping constant the electric field strength at 35 kV/cm and the treatment time at 1000 μs, the treatments were set at frequencies from 50 to 250 Hz, pulse width from 1 to 7 μs using monopolar or bipolar mode. A second order response function covering the whole range of experimental conditions was obtained for each health-related compound. Strawberry juice antioxidant potential was affected linearly by frequency, pulse width and pulse polarity. The quadratic term of frequency and the combined effect of frequency and pulse width were also significant. HIPEF treatments conducted at 232 Hz with bipolar pulses of 1 μs led to strawberry juices with the greatest presence of health-related compounds. The evaluation of the HIPEF critical parameters influence on health-related compounds can contribute to achieve optimal processing conditions to obtain strawberry juices with high antioxidant potential.     

Physico-chemical characteristics of juice extracted by blender and mechanical press from pomegranate cultivars grown in Georgia

Pomegranate juice is consumed widely for its possible health benefits. The aril juice from 15 pomegranate cultivars grown in Georgia were analysed for juice yield based on fresh weight (FW) and physico-chemical properties, using blender and mechanical press extraction. Blender had a higher juice yield (42.04% FW) compared to mechanical press (38.05% FW). Total phenolics and antioxidant capacity was determined by Folin–Ciocalteau method and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays, respectively. Total monomeric anthocyanins were determined by pH differential method and RP-HPLC. The major anthocyanin was delphinidin 3-glucoside. High negative and significant (p ? 0.05) correlations were found between pH and titratable acidity (TA). The total soluble solids content (TSS) averaged 15.59 in blender and 14.94 °Brix in mechanical press. Chemical analysis of juice showed significant differences among cultivars and extraction methods. Overall, blender was more efficient than mechanical press juice extraction.     

Quality and antioxidant properties of a reduced-sugar pomegranate juice jelly with an aqueous extract of pomegranate peels

In the present study, the production of a reduced-sugar pomegranate juice jelly supplemented with an aqueous extract of pomegranate peel (PE) is described. Influence of different carbohydrate polymers (guar (G), xanthan (X) and tragacanth (T) gums) on rheological properties was studied. Combination GXT presented the most similar rheological behaviour to commercial jelly. Jelly (J) and jelly with PE (JE) were stored at 4 °C over an 8 week period for physical, chemical, antioxidant, microbiological and sensory analysis. J and JE showed similar values for °Brix, colour and Aw, though the pH of JE was lower than J. Thiol and phenolic compounds were higher in JE than in J. Antioxidant activity (radical scavenging activity and autoxidation of linoleic acid) was higher in JE than in J at 0 weeks, and were decreasing with time. Pomegranate juice with additives was generally less accepted than J and JE.     

Enhancement of phenolic compounds content and antioxidant activity of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) juice by block freeze concentration technology

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of freeze concentration of strawberry juice on content of total phenolic, anthocyanins content and antioxidant activity of the concentrated fluid and the ice obtained. An increase in the values of phenolic content was observed in the concentrate fraction for all the freeze concentration stages (five stages). The process efficiency presented a reduction when compared with the first stage, and however, the average efficiency remained around 65% in all the stages. The concentration of pelargonidin‐3‐O‐glycoside present in samples was increased in all stages. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of the concentrated fluid of each stage, measured by DPPH and ABTS methods, was significantly higher in comparison with the juice feed. Also, antioxidant activity can be correlated with the content of pelargonidin‐3‐O‐glycoside presented in the strawberry juice. Freeze concentration can be considered a good alternative for improving the antioxidant activity of strawberry juice.     

Chemical and antioxidant properties of pomegranate cultivars grown in the Mediterranean region of Turkey

Arils from six pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cultivars obtained from various sites from the Mediterranean region of Turkey were evaluated for their chemical and antioxidant properties. These properties included total phenolics (TP), total monomeric anthocyanins (TMA), soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), individual sugars and organic acids. Antioxidant capacities of arils were determined by both the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assays. The antioxidant capacities averaged 5.60 and 7.35 mmol TE/l by the TEAC and FRAP methods. Variability among cultivars was greatest for TMA content (CV 132%); individuals ranged from 6.1 to 219 mg cy3-Gluc l⁻¹. TP means averaged 1507 mg GAE/l. Levels of FRAP, TEAC, TP, and TMA were strongly correlated (r = 0.82–0.96). The major sugars were fructose (6.4 g/100 ml) and glucose (6.8 g/100 ml), the major acids were citric (1.78 g/100 ml) and malic (0.12 g/100 ml).     

Effect of temperature and PH value on the stability of bioactive compounds and antioxidative activity of juice from colour-fleshed potatoes

The colour-fleshed potatoes represent a good raw material for the extraction of juices with a high content of biologically active compounds and a high antioxidant activity. The blue-fleshed potatoes turned out to be a rich source of total polyphenols, as they had approximately 3.5 times higher content of identified anthocyanidins. Regardless of anthocyanin composition, all juices made of colour-fleshed potatoes were highly stable. Both, high temperature, exposure time to these temperatures, and medium pH had no significant effect on changes in total polyphenols content of potato juices. The juices examined, especially these made of blue-fleshed potatoes, demonstrated a higher ABTS+ stability during their heating than during pH changes. In addition, a higher antioxidant activity of juices was determined at neutral and alkaline than at acidic pH value of the medium.     

Changes in bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of fresh-cut cashew apple

In this study, ascorbic acid, total polyphenols and proanthocyanidins of fresh-cut cashew apple were quantified. Antioxidant capacity was determined in whole juice and in polyphenols extracts by three methods: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and ??-carotene bleaching. Effect of cutting and storage for 24 h at 2 °C, 27 °C and 40 °C on these compounds were also evaluated. Cashew apple presented 163 mg of ascorbic acid per 100 g of fresh weight (FW). Soluble and hydrolysable polyphenols contents were 12.79 mg GAE/100 g FW and 18.53 mg GAE/100 g FW and proanthocyanidins were 9.27 mg/100 g FW. Antioxidant capacity of juice and polyphenols extract was high for DPPH method. Storage temperatures affected bioactive compounds on cut cashew apple. The content of ascorbic acid decreased in all temperatures. Proanthocyanidins were more sensitive to 40 °C than to other temperatures. The content of polyphenols and antioxidant capacity of juice by DPPH assay did not change. However, the reducing power was lower in samples kept at high temperatures. A strong positive correlation between ascorbic acid and FRAP (r = 0.99) and a negative correlation between DPPH and FRAP (r = − 0.79) were observed. No correlations were found between polyphenols and antioxidant capacity indicating the importance of phenolic composition in the extracts. The results confirm the importance of temperature and injury on the quality of cashew apple.     

超滤对石榴汁抗氧化活性的影响

主要探讨不同截留分子量(100、30、10ku)的超滤膜对石榴汁的澄清效果及抗氧化活性的影响,以确定生产高抗氧化活性澄清石榴汁的最适超滤膜。结果表明,30ku超滤膜对石榴汁的澄清效果较好,可保存其酚类化合物、花色苷、VC等抗氧化活性成分80%左右,使DPPH自由基清除活性和FRAP损失在16%以下。因此,建议采用30ku超滤膜澄清石榴汁,以得到具有高抗氧化活性的石榴汁。      

Changes of health-related compounds throughout cold storage of tomato juice stabilized by thermal or high intensity pulsed electric field treatments

The effect of high intensity pulsed electric fields (HIPEF) processing (35 kV/cm for 1500 μs in bipolar 4-μs pulses at 100 Hz, with an energy density of 8269 kJ/L) on the main bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of tomato juice was investigated and compared to heat pasteurization (90 °C for 1 min or 30 s) having the fresh juice as a reference. HIPEF and heat treated tomato juices showed higher lycopene and lower vitamin C levels than the untreated juice. However, no significant changes in the total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity were observed between treated and fresh juices just after processing. Lycopene, vitamin C and antioxidant capacity of both treated and untreated juices decreased exponentially during storage following a first order kinetics (R² = 0.763–0.987), whereas tomato juices maintained their initial phenolic content. HIPEF-treated tomato juice maintained higher lycopene and vitamin C content than the thermally treated juices during the storage time. Hence, the application of HIPEF may be appropriate to achieve nutritious and fresh like tomato juice.

Industrial relevance

HIPEF processing can lead to tomato juice with higher nutritional value than that thermally processed. HIPEF-treated (35 kV/cm for 1500 μs with 4-μs bipolar pulses at 100 Hz, energy input of 8269 kJ/L) tomato juice shows greater lycopene, vitamin C and antioxidant capacity just after the treatment and during the storage time than heat treated (90 °C­30 s and 90 °C­60 s) tomato juice. Therefore, HIPEF technology is a feasible alternative to thermal treatment to obtain tomato juice with a high presence of health-related compounds.     

Effects of prolonged heating on antioxidant activity and colour of honey

The kinetics of changes in total antioxidant activity as assessed by DPPH radical and brown pigment formation (BPF) in honey heated at different temperatures (50, 60 and 70 °C) for up to 12 days were studied. Antioxidant activity and BPF increased with treatment temperature and time. BPF increased following zero-order kinetics with the activation energy value of 122 kJ/mol⁻¹ at 50–70 °C. However, antioxidant activity variation showed different trends according to heating temperatures following second-order, first-order and zero-order kinetics at 50, 60 and 70 °C, respectively. Heating of honey at 70 °C was found to be more effective than 50 and 60 °C for both two parameters. The results demonstrated that antioxidant activity was correlated with increased browning of the samples.     

Comparative efficacy of pomegranate juice, pomegranate rind powder extract and BHT as antioxidants in cooked chicken patties

A study was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant potential of pomegranate juice (PJ), rind powder extract (RP) and butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT) in cooked chicken patties during refrigerated storage. Freshly minced chicken meats were assigned to one of the following four treatments: control (meat treated with no antioxidants); 10 mg equivalent PJ phenolics per 100 g meat; 10 mg equivalent RP phenolics per 100 g meat; 10 mg BHT per 100 g meat. The patties formed from the minced meats were grilled for 20 min and stored under aerobically at 4 °C for 15 days. Total phenolic content (as tannic acid equivalent) significantly (P < 0.05) increased from 152 in control to 195 and 224 μg/g in PJ and RP patties. Addition of PJ or RP did not affect any of the sensory attributes. The TBARS values were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced from 1.272 in control patties to 0.896, 0.763 and 0.203 mg malonaldehyde per kg samples in BHT, PJ and RP patties, respectively. The RP treatment substantially inhibited (P < 0.01) lipid oxidation in cooked chicken patties to a much greater extent than BHT treatment. The PJ or RP at a level of 10 mg equivalent phenolics/100 g meat would be sufficient to protect chicken patties against oxidative rancidity for periods longer than the most commonly used synthetic antioxidant like BHT.     

The effect of addition of chokeberry, flowering quince fruits and rhubarb juice to strawberry jams on their polyphenol content, antioxidant activity and colour

The aim of the study was to establish whether the addition of berries (flowering quince, chokeberry) and rhubarb juice during jam processing improves its colour and enriches jams in polyphenol compounds other than those found in strawberries. The sum of phenolic compounds determined by HPLC was distributed in a wide concentration range depending on the cultivar. Jams prepared from Elkat cultivar had 27% more total phenolic compounds than jams prepared from Senga Sengana. The following compounds were identified in jams prepared from strawberries: p-coumaric, ferulic and ellagic acids, quercetin, kaempferol, anthocyanins, (+)-catechin, (−)-epicatechin and proanthocyanidins. Proanthocyanidins and ellagic acid are the major polyphenol compounds of all strawberries jams. The Elkat cultivar (47.34 mg/100 g) contained higher amounts of proanthocyanidins compared to Senga Sengana (29.95 mg/100 g). The addition of 10% of flowering quince and chokeberry to jams during their preparation resulted in the increase in the content of phenolic components in final products, especially for proanthocyanidins. The highest level of total polyphenols (P < 0.05) was found in strawberry mixed with chokeberry, 237.82 mg/100 g for Senga Sengana and 260.61 mg/100 g for Elkat. There has been a marked increase of proanthocyanidins content (5.4 and 4.0 times) in jams made from Senga Sengana and Elkat cultivars mixed with chokeberry. However, the addition of rhubarb juice did not increase the content of polyphenol in Senga Sengana jam (not statistically significant). Antioxidant activity of strawberry jam was determined by 2,2′azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and ferric reducing/antioxidant power methods (FRAP). The antioxidant activity of this mixed jam was more than two times higher (P < 0.05) than control sample of strawberry jam. Rhubarb juice had high effect on L* (lightness) value in case of all strawberry varieties. The redness (a*), and yellowness (b*) were significantly different in jams with supplement. Strawberry jam with chokeberries had smaller L* value than control and other samples, and the lowest a* and b* values. This variation could be due to the nature of the pigments in these fruit cultivars and the content of anthocyanins which resulted in more reddish colour.