Antioxidant/anti-inflammatory activities and total phenolic content of extracts obtained from plants grown in Vietnam

BACKGROUND: Medicinal plants have been used to treat various diseases since ancient times. Their specific activities, such as antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory and anti‐cancer, have been studied intensively. In particular, plants grown in Vietnam have attracted considerable attention among food chemists as ideal sources of natural medicinal chemicals. RESULTS: The methanol extracts from three edible Vietnamese‐grown plants, Tram, Voi and Gac, tested with the DPPH assay showed antioxidant activities of 91.7 ± 0.4, 63.4 ± 0.7 and 3.7 ± 0.1% respectively. The malonaldehyde/gas chromatography assay also revealed strong antioxidant activity in Tram and Voi at a level of 25 µg mL^?1 (95.5 ± 0.3 and 78.5 ± 1.4% respectively). These results were confirmed by the thiobarbituric acid assay. The antioxidant activities correlated positively with the level of total phenolics in all plants. Tram exhibited dose response‐related lipoxygenase‐inhibitory activity, with values of 74.2 ± 3.1% at 5 µg mL^?1, 62.0 ± 0% at 0.5 µg mL^?1 and 3.0 ± 1.5% at 0.05 µg mL^?1. Conversely, Voi and Gac showed negative anti‐lipoxygenase activity. CONCLUSION: The antioxidant/anti‐inflammatory activities and total phenolic contents of the three edible plants grown in Vietnam revealed that they are good sources of supplements for human health. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Characteristics of the leaf parts of some traditional Korean salad plants used for food

BACKGROUND: Total phenolics content, antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity of the methanol extracts from leaf parts of 13 Korean traditional salad plants were investigated in order to determine their properties. RESULTS: The highest phenolics content (mg ferulic acid equivalents kg^?1 dry weight (d.w.), omit one) was found in methanol extracts from Polygonum aviculare, at 293.7 ± 6.0, followed by Euonymus alatus, at 250.7 ± 3.3, Saxifraga stolonifera, at 125.0 ± 8.1 and Ligularia fischeri, at 122.5 ± 5.9. The methanol plant extracts dose‐dependently increased free radical scavenging activity. Methanol extracts of Polygonum aviculare, Euonymus alatus and Saxifraga stolonifera, at 31 mg kg^?1, exhibited the highest 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity (%) by 90.8 ± 4.2, 85.7 ± 3.9 and 64.1 ± 3.2, respectively. According to 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, the methanol extracts from Portulaca oleracea (IC₅₀ < 25.0 µg mL^?1) showed the highest cytotoxicity against Calu‐6, followed by Plantago asiatica (49.2 µg mL^?1) and Osmunda japonica (89.6 µg mL^?1). CONCLUSION: Total phenolics content of the tested plant extracts was correlated with the DPPH radical scavenging activity, suggesting the phenolics compounds are contributing to the antioxidant properties of Korean salad plants. The leaf parts of the 13 Korean traditional salad plants described here that are currently used as foods may also provide some benefit to human health, and research into their potential benefits as preventative and/or therapeutic agents is warranted. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Antioxidant activity of hydrolysates derived from porcine plasma

BACKGROUND: In China alone, more than 400 million pigs are slaughtered each year to provide meat. Porcine blood is rich in proteins but is usually discarded, which can cause environmental contamination. Recovering porcine blood and converting it to high‐value products is therefore economically and environmentally desirable. However, very little information on antioxidant peptides from porcine blood by‐products is currently available. In this study the antioxidant properties of porcine plasma hydrolysates PPE and PPA prepared with pepsin and papain respectively were investigated. RESULTS: Both PPE and PPA showed excellent antioxidant activity in a linoleic acid system (AL) compared with α‐tocopherol (VE) at the same concentration (P < 0.01). Their activities were respectively 3.33 and 1.83 times stronger than that of VE at a concentration of 10 µg mL^?1 and 5.4 and 5.6 times stronger at 100 µg mL^?1. The 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical‐scavenging activity (DRSA) reached 48.4 and 43.1% for PPE and PPA respectively at 500 µg mL^?1. The ferrous ion‐chelating power (FICP) of PPE at 100 µg mL^?1 was about 1.5 times stronger than that of 10 µmol L^?1 ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) in a 50 µmol L^?1 Fe²⁺ system, whereas the FICP of PPA at 100 µg mL^?1 was 61% that of 10 µmol L^?1 EDTA. Furthermore, PPE was separated on Resource 15RPC and Superdex peptide 10/300GL columns, and the antioxidant activity of the peptides and its relationship to their polarity and molecular weight (MW) were analysed. The hydrolysate was divided into four groups (R1–R4) with hydrophobicities ranging from weak to strong by Resource 15RPC, while it was divided into three groups (S1, MW 7–12 kDa; S2, MW 3–7 kDa; S3, MW 1–3 kDa) by Superdex peptide 10/300GL. CONCLUSION: The results showed that AL was significantly and positively correlated with the relative amounts of R1, S2 and S3 and that DRSA was dependent on R3 and S1. The fractions of PPE were not responsible for FICP. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of fermentation by Bacillus subtilis on antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of black rice bran

Black rice bran was fermented with Bacillus subtilis KU3 isolated from Korean traditional food, Kimchi. Antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of the fermented black rice bran were investigated. Total phenolic and anthocyanin contents decreased from 171.54 mg GAE g^?1 and 2.31 mg g^?1 to 139.13 mg GAE g^?1 and 2.12 mg g^?1, respectively, after fermentation. Antioxidant activities determined by 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, β‐carotene bleaching and ferric thiocyanate assay were correlated with total phenolic and anthocyanin contents. Non‐fermented black rice bran extract (NFBE) showed greater antioxidant activities than fermented black rice bran extract (FBE). Cytotoxic activities measured by MTT assay showed that both NFBE and FBE had over 50% activities. The cytotoxic activities of FBE against MCF‐7 and HeLa cells were 71.65% and 68.07%, respectively, at 8.0 mg mL^?1, but those of NFBE were lower than 50%. These results suggested that the cytotoxic activity of black rice bran improved through fermentation, while antioxidant activity reduced.     

Antioxidant and semicarbazide‐sensitive amine oxidase inhibitory activities of alginic acid hydroxamates

The commercial polysaccharides of alginic acid (medium (3500 cps, 2% solution) and low (250 cps, 2% solution) viscosities) were esterified with acidic methanol (1 mmol L^?1 HCl) at 4 °C with gentle stirring for 5 days to obtain methyl esters of medium‐viscosity alginic acid (ME‐MVA) and low‐viscosity alginic acid (ME‐LVA). These ME‐MVA and ME‐LVA were reacted with alkaline hydroxylamine to obtain medium‐viscosity alginic acid hydroxamates (MVA‐NHOH) and LVA‐NHOH. The percentages of hydroxamic acid content in MVA‐NHOH and LVA‐NHOH were calculated as 25% and 20%, respectively. The hydroxamate derivatives of alginic acid were used to test the antioxidant and semicarbazide‐sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) inhibitory activities in comparison with original materials (MVA and LVA). The half‐inhibition concentrations, IC₅₀, of scavenging activity against 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) were 24.5 and 29.8 µg mL^?1 for MVA‐NHOH and LVA‐NHOH, respectively. However, few scavenging activities of the MVA and LVA were found at the same concentrations. The IC₅₀ of the positive control of butylated hydroxytoluene was 5 µg mL^?1. The scavenging activity of DPPH radical was pH‐dependent, and the optimal pH for both of MVA‐NHOH and LVA‐NHOH was the Tris‐HCl buffer (pH 7.9). Using electron spin resonance (ESR) to detect the activity of scavenging hydroxyl radicals, both alginic acid hydroxamates showed dose‐dependent scavenging activities, and the IC₅₀ was 90 and 92 µg mL^?1, respectively, for MVA‐NHOH and LVA‐NHOH. Both alginic acid hydroxamates also exhibited protection against hydroxyl radical‐mediated DNA damage. Both MVA‐NHOH and LVA‐NHOH showed dose‐dependent inhibitory activities against bovine SSAO (2.53 units); the IC₅₀ was 0.16 and 0.09 µg mL^?1, respectively, for MVA‐NHOH and LVA‐NHOH, compared with 3.81 µg mL^?1 of semicarbazide (positive controls). Amine oxidase activity staining also revealed that both MVA‐NHOH and LVA‐NHOH exhibited SSAO inhibitory activities. Both MVA‐NHOH and LVA‐NHOH showed mixed non‐competitive inhibition against bovine SSAO. It was found that the V′_max value was reduced and the K′_m value was either increased (added MVA‐NHOH, 0.05 µg mL^?1) or reduced (added LVA‐NHOH, 0.11 µg mL^?1) in the presence of alginic acid hydroxamate. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Volatile compounds and antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the essential oils of the needles of Pinus densiflora and Pinus thunbergii

BACKGROUND: To investigate the volatile compounds and the antibacterial and antioxidant effects of the essential oils of Pinus densiflora needles (EPDN) and Pinus thunbergii needles (EPTN), the volatile compounds of steam‐distilled essential oils were analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Antibacterial activities were analysed by performing disc‐agar diffusion assay and determining the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the essential oils. Antioxidant activities were analysed via radical‐ and nitrite‐scavenging activity assays. RESULTS: The yields of EPDN and EPTN were 0.304% (v/w) and 0.296% (v/w), respectively. In the antibacterial activity assay, the MICs of EPDN and EPTN for Klebsiella pneumoniae, Shigella flexneri and Proteus vulgaris were < 0.4 mg mL^?1. In the antioxidant activity assay, the 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) of EPDN and EPTN were 120 and 30 µg mL^?1, respectively. At 1680 µg mL^?1, both EPDN and EPTN exhibited > 50% nitrite‐scavenging activity. CONCLUSION: EPDN can be used as a natural antimicrobial substance. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Antioxidant and melanogenesis‐inhibitory activities of collagen peptide from jellyfish (Rhopilema esculentum)

BACKGROUND: Jellyfish collagen was hydrolysed with trypsin and properase E, and jellyfish collagen peptide (JCP) was purified from the enzymatic hydrolysate using ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The antioxidant activity of JCP in a linoleic acid emulsion system, its superoxide anion‐ and hydroxyl radical‐scavenging activities and its copper‐chelating ability were evaluated in vitro. Initial investigations of JCP's ability to inhibit melanogenesis were carried out using cultured B16 melanoma cells. RESULTS: The molecular weight distribution of JCP was from 400 to 1200 Da. Amino acid analysis showed that JCP was rich in Gly, Pro, Ser, Ala, Glu and Asp and had a total hydrophobic amino acid content of 384.2 g kg^?1. JCP showed high antioxidant activity (IC₅₀147.8 µg mL^?1), superoxide anion‐scavenging activity (IC₅₀21.9 µg mL^?1), hydroxyl radical‐scavenging activity (IC₅₀16.7 µg mL^?1) and copper‐chelating ability (IC₅₀88.7 µg mL^?1) in vitro. It also significantly inhibited intracellular tyrosinase activity, decreased melanin content and enhanced glutathione synthesis (P < 0.05). Furthermore, JCP decreased intracellular cAMP levels and suppressed tyrosinase mRNA expression. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, JCP exerts anti‐melanogenic actions via its antioxidant properties and copper‐chelating ability. JCP could be used as a natural skin‐lightening agent in the medicine and food industries. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Volatile aroma and sensory analysis of black raspberry wines fermented by different yeast strains

Robus coreanus Miquel is a small berry fruit used for Korean black raspberry (KBR) wine‐making. Twelve different yeast strains were investigated by laboratory‐scale fermentation to develop a wine with a high flavour quality. Volatile aroma compounds from the wines were analysed using headspace–solid phase microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and sensory evaluation was performed to evaluate the flavour characteristics. The volatile aroma compounds that mostly contributed to the flavour of KBR wines were those related to fruity (esters) and floral (terpenes) aromas. Fifteen out of the 67 identified volatile compounds showed higher odour activity values than other compounds in the wines, and these compounds were considered as important contributors to the final aromas of the wine. Additionally, the KBR wine fermented by the M1 yeast strain had the highest sensory preference because of higher fruity and floral aroma characters compared with other wines. In addition to the M1 strain, the other yeast strains that produced favourable sensory characteristics included Enoferm CSM, Uvaferm VRB, Lalvin ICV GRE, Lalvin ICV Opale and LevureSeche Active. Of these strains, the M1 strain produced a particularly excellent black raspberry wine, and thus could be applied for further large‐scale production of black raspberry wines. It is also expected that this work will expedite research on the production of high‐quality black raspberry wines with beneficial physicochemical properties, functionality and good sensory characteristics. Copyright © 2015 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activities of water distillate and its dichloromethane extract from licorice root (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) and chemical composition of dichloromethane extract

BACKGROUND: Licorice root is one of the most widely used medicinal herbs and its medicinal properties, such as antibacterial, anti‐ulcer, anti‐tumorigenic and anti‐atherosclerotic activities, have been widely reported. However, there are only a few reports on basic chemical and biological studies of the water distilled components of licorice root. RESULTS: Chinese licorice root was water distilled and the distillate was subsequently extracted with dichloromethane. Residual aqueous solution from the extraction was fractionated using column chromatography. A total of 127 chemicals were identified in the dichloromethane extract, which inhibited hexanal oxidation by over 90% for 45 days at the level of 50 µg mL^?1. A fraction eluted from the residual aqueous solution with acetone exhibited potent antioxidant activities both in a thiobarbituric acid assay and in a malonaldehyde/gas chromatography assay. The acetone fraction also exhibited strong anti‐inflammatory activity (77.9% inhibition at the level of 62 µg mL^?1) in a lipoxygenenase inhibitor screening anti‐inflammatory assay. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activities of the water distillate obtained from Chinese licorice root. Some volatile chemicals among the many components identified in the water distillate exhibited antioxidant activity, suggesting that many medicinal compounds escape with water vapor into the ambient air during the preparation of herbal medicine. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of mixing time, freeze-drying and baking on phenolics, anthocyanins and antioxidant capacity of raspberry juice during processing of muffins

BACKGROUND: Consumption of baked products constitutes an important part of a daily breakfast considering that people are continually grabbing meals on the go. Among baked products, muffins rank third in breakfast products and attract a broad range of consumers. Incorporation of red raspberry juice into muffins can add value to the product while preserving health benefits to the consumer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of mixing time, freeze‐drying and baking on the phenolic and anthocyanin contents and antioxidant capacity of raspberry juice during the preparation of muffins. RESULTS: Freeze‐drying of raspberry batters reduced their phenolic content and antioxidant capacity regardless of mixing time. Non‐freeze‐dried raspberry batter mixed for 5 min had the highest phenolic content (0.88 mg gallic acid equivalent g^?1 dry matter (DM)). Non‐freeze‐dried raspberry muffins had the highest antioxidant capacity (0.041 µmol Trolox equivalent g^?1 DM). Freeze‐dried raspberry batters mixed for 5 and 10 min had the highest anthocyanin content (0.065 mg cyanidin‐3‐glucoside g^?1 DM). Baking reduced the anthocyanin content of both non‐freeze‐dried and freeze‐dried raspberry muffins. CONCLUSION: Despite the reduction in valuable compounds, muffin is a vehicle for the delivery of these compounds. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Chemical composition and in vitro antioxidant studies on Syzygium cumini fruit

Syzygium cumini, widely known as Jamun, is a tropical tree that yields purple ovoid fleshy fruit. Its seed has traditionally been used in India for the treatment of diabetes. Based on the available ethno‐pharmacological knowledge, further studies were extended to understand the chemical composition and antioxidant activities of three anatomically distinct parts of fruit: the pulp, kernel and seed coat. Fruit parts, their corresponding ethanol extracts and residues were evaluated for chemical composition. The alcoholic extract was evaluated for its antioxidant potential against DPPH^?, OH^?, O₂^?? and lipid peroxidation. The whole fruit consisted of 666.0 ± 111.0 g kg^?1 pulp, 290.0 ± 40.0 g kg^?1 kernel and 50.0 ± 15.0 g kg^?1 seed coat. Fresh pulp was rich in carbohydrates, protein and minerals. Total fatty matter was not significant in all three parts of fruit. Detailed mineral analysis showed calcium was abundant in all fruit parts and extracts. Total phenolics, anthocyanins and flavonoid contents of pulp were 3.9 ± 0.5, 1.34 ± 0.2 and 0.07 ± 0.04 g kg^?1, respectively. Kernel and seed coat contained 9.0 ± 0.7 and 8.1 ± 0.8 g kg^?1 total phenolics respectively. Jamun pulp ethanol extract (PEE), kernel ethanol extract (KEE) and seed coat ethanol extract (SCEE) showed a high degree of phenolic enrichment. DPPH radical scavenging activity of the samples and standards in descending order was: gallic acid > quercetin > Trolox > KEE > BHT > SCEE > PEE. Superoxide radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀) of KEE was six times higher (85.0 ± 5.0 µg mL^?1) compared to Trolox (540.0 ± 5.0 µg mL^?1) and three times compared to catechin (296.0 ± 11.0 µg mL^?1). Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀) of KEE was 151.0 ± 5.0 µg mL^?1 which was comparable with catechin (188.0 ± 6.0 µg mL^?1). Inhibition of lipid peroxidation of the extracts was also studied and their activity against peroxide radicals were lower than that of standard compounds (BHT, 79.0 ± 4.0 µg mL^?1; quercetin, 166.0 ± 13.0 µg mL^?1; Trolox, 175.0 ± 4.0 µg mL^?1; PEE, 342.0 ± 17.0 µg mL^?1; KEE, 202.0 ± 13.0 µg mL^?1 and SCEE, 268.0 ± 13.0 µg mL^?1. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Chemical composition,antioxidant and cytotoxicity activities of the essential oils of Myristica fragrans and Morinda citrifolia

BACKGROUND: In this study the chemical composition, antioxidant activities and cytotoxic effect of the essential oils of Myristica fragrans (nutmeg) and Morinda citrifolia (mengkudu) were determined. RESULTS: Thirty‐eight compounds in nutmeg oil and six compounds in mengkudu oil were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The free radical scavenging activity of nutmeg oil was superior of that mengkudu oil. The MTT assay of nutmeg oil on human colorectal carcinoma (HCT‐116) and human breast carcinoma (MCF‐7) cell lines showed IC₅₀ values of 78.61 and 66.45 µg mL^?1, respectively. The mengkudu oil exhibited IC₅₀ values of 91.46 and 78.15 µg mL^?1 for HCT‐116 and MCF‐7, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results showed that nutmeg oil can be developed as potent anti‐cancer and antioxidant drugs. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory and antioxidative activities and functional characterization of protein hydrolysates of hard-to-cook chickpeas

BACKGROUND: The potential use of hard‐to‐cook (hardened) chickpeas to obtain value‐added functional food ingredients was evaluated. For that purpose, some nutraceutical and functional attributes of several chickpea protein hydrolysates (CPHs) prepared from both fresh and hard‐to‐cook grains were evaluated. RESULTS: All the CPHs prepared from both fresh and hard‐to‐cook grains, with the enzymes alcalase, pancreatin and papain, showed high angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory (ACE‐I) activity with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.101 to 37.33 µg mL^?1; similarly, high levels of antioxidant activity (around 18.17–95.61 µmol Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity µg^?1 CPH) were obtained through both the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl and 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) methods. Regarding functional characterization of the CPHs, oil absorption values ranged from 1.91 to 2.20 mL oil g^?1 CPH, with water solubility almost 100% from pH 7 to 10. CONCLUSION: The high antioxidant and ACE‐I activities as well as the good functional properties of the CPH prepared from both fresh and hard‐to‐cook grains, suggest its use in food formulations with value added in human health. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Enhancement of volatile aromatic compounds in black raspberry wines via enzymatic treatment

Robus coreanus Miquel is widely used in the production of Korean black raspberry (KBR) wine owing to its health benefits and commercial value. The effects of three different commercially available glycosidase enzymes on the volatile compounds in KBR wines were investigated with large‐scale fermentation to develop a high‐flavour‐quality wine. Volatile aroma compounds from the wines were analysed using headspace‐solid phase micro‐extraction‐gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS‐SPME‐GC–MS) and sensory evaluations were performed to evaluate the flavour characteristics. KBR wines treated with commercial enzymes yielded high concentrations of terpenes and esters compared with the control wine because the odourless non‐volatile glycosides in KBR wines were converted to their corresponding free forms by the enzymes. HS‐SPME‐GC–MS‐SIM analysis showed that the primary monoterpene compounds in KBR wines treated by the enzymes were myrtenol, linalool, citronellol and a significant quantity of compounds such as 2‐phenyl ethanol and ethyl benzoate, which contributed to the flavour of KBR wine, as determined by GC‐FID. KBR wines treated with the enzymes exhibited different sensory characteristics from the control wine owing to higher intensity of floral and fruity aromas. KBR wine treated with CYTOLASE PCL5 on a large scale exhibited the highest sensory preference. Copyright © 2017 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Angiotensin‐I converting enzyme inhibitory and antioxidant activities of peptide fractions extracted by ultrafiltration of cowpea Vigna unguiculata hydrolysates

BACKGROUND: Enzymatic proteolysis of food proteins is used to produce peptide fractions with the potential to act as physiological modulators. Fractionation of these proteins by ultrafiltration results in fractions rich in small peptides with the potential to act as functional food ingredients. The present study investigated the angiotensin‐I converting enzyme (ACE‐I) inhibitory and antioxidant activities for hydrolysates produced by hydrolyzing Vigna unguiculata protein extract as well as ultrafiltered peptide fractions from these hydrolysates. RESULTS: Alcalase^®, Flavourzyme^® and pepsin–pancreatin were used to produce extensively hydrolyzed V. unguiculata protein extract. Degree of hydrolysis (DH) differed between the enzymatic systems and ranged from 35.7% to 58.8%. Fractionation increased in vitro biological activities in the peptide fractions, with IC₅₀ (hydrolysate concentration in µg protein mL^?1 required to produce 50% ACE inhibition) value ranges of 24.3–123 (Alcalase hydrolysate, AH), 0.04–170.6 (Flavourzyme hydrolysate; FH) and 44.7–112 (pepsin–pancreatin hydrolysate, PPH) µg mL^?1, and TEAC (Trolox equivalent antioxidant coefficient) value ranges of 303.2–1457 (AH), 357.4–10 211 (FH) and 267.1–2830.4 (PPH) mmol L^?1 mg^?1 protein. CONCLUSION: The results indicate the possibility of obtaining bioactive peptides from V. unguiculata proteins by means of a controlled protein hydrolysis using Alcalase^®, Flavourzyme^® and pepsin–pancreatin. The V. unguiculata protein hydrolysates and their corresponding ultrafiltered peptide fractions might be utilized for physiologically functional foods with antihypertensive and antioxidant activities. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Influence of extraction methods on functional properties of protein concentrates prepared from South African bambara groundnut landraces

Functional properties of protein concentrates prepared from three bambara groundnut landraces using acid precipitation and salt solubilisation methods were evaluated. The protein content of bambara grains (26–27%) was similar for the three landraces. The acid precipitation gave a much higher yield of protein concentrates (52%), which were also high in protein (79%) compared to the salt solubilisation method (yield: 25%, protein content: 57%). Functional properties of proteins were more influenced by the methods of preparation rather than the landraces. Protein concentrate prepared by salt solubilisation method showed higher emulsifying (63–66%), foaming (53–57%), water (1.4–2.0 mg mL^?1) and oil absorption properties (2.2–2.6 mg mL^?1) than the acid‐precipitated concentrates (53–57%, 63–66%, 2.0–2.7 mg mL^?1, 1.4–1.7 mg mL^?1). The foaming capacity and stability of all the protein concentrates decreased with increasing pH from 3 to 8. Salt solubilisation may be the most appropriate method for the enhanced functionality and utilisation of bambara groundnuts’ protein concentrates.     

Broad bean and pea by‐products as sources of fibre‐rich ingredients: potential antioxidant activity measured in vitro

BACKGROUND By‐products generated during the processing of plant food can be considered a promising source of dietary fibre as a functional compound. The dietary fibre composition, soluble sugars and antioxidant activity of the extractable polyphenols of pea and broad bean by‐products have been analysed in this study. RESULTS: Total dietary fibre using AOAC methods plus hydrolysis (broad bean pod: 337.3 g kg^?1; pea pod: 472.6 g kg^?1) is higher (P < 0.05) in both by‐products than with the Englyst method (broad bean pod: 309.7 g kg^?1; pea pod: 434.6 g kg^?1). The main monomers are uronic acids, glucose, arabinose and galactose in broad bean pods. However, pea pods are very rich in glucose and xylose. The soluble sugars analysed by high‐performance liquid chromatography in both by‐products have glucose as the most important component, followed by sucrose and fructose. The ferric reducing antioxidant power (broad bean pod: 406.4 µmol Trolox equivalents g^?1; pea pod: 25.9 µmol Trolox equivalents g^?1) and scavenging effect on 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical (EC₅₀ of broad bean pod: 0.4 mg mL^?1; EC₅₀ of pea pod: 16.0 mg mL^?1) were also measured. CONCLUSIONS: Broad bean and pea by‐products are very rich in dietary fibre, particularly insoluble dietary fibre and their extractable polyphenols demonstrate antioxidant activity. Therefore they might be regarded as functional ingredients. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Solvent effects on antioxidant properties of persimmon (Diospyros kaki L. cv. Daebong) seeds

The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant activities of persimmon seed extracts (PSE) using different solvents such as ethanol, methanol, acetone, and their aqueous 80% solvents. The EC₅₀ values of the extracts from absolute ethanol (EE) and methanol (ME) in 2, 2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical–scavenging assay were 49.71 and 51.15 μg mL^?1, respectively, while the EC₅₀ of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) was 70.82 μg mL^?1. However, the EC₅₀ value of reducing power for the absolute acetone extract (AE) was higher (210.06 μg mL^?1) than that of BHA (212.67 μg mL^?1). Although the absolute ME had the highest antioxidant activity, it exhibited the lowest total phenolics and flavonoids. In contrast, the antioxidant activities of the aqueous solvent extracts showed a good correlation with total phenolics and flavonoids when compared to the absolute solvent extracts. The results showed that PSE could potentially be used as an inexpensive source of natural antioxidant in food and pharmaceutical industries.     

Isolation and anti-inflammatory effect of astragalin synthesized by enzymatic hydrolysis of tea seed extract

BACKGROUND: The application of tea seed extract (TSE) has been widely investigated because of its biological activities. In this paper, two flavonol triglycosides in TSE—camelliaside A (CamA) and camelliaside B (CamB)—were subjected to hydrolysis in the presence of two commercial enzyme complexes (Pectinex^? series): Smash and Mash. RESULTS: Smash hydrolyzed only the xylosyl moiety of CamB, and the main product was kaempferol diglycoside (nicotiflorin, NF). On the other hand, Mash induced the hydrolysis of both CamA and CamB, and kaempferol monoglycoside (astragalin, AS) was found to be a main product. Pure AS with > 96% purity was prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis of TSE using Mash, and the chemical structure of AS was confirmed by ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐nuclear magnetic resonance analyses. The prepared pure AS showed anti‐inflammatory activities by significantly inhibiting cellular nitrite oxide (IC₅₀ = 363 µg mL^?1), prostaglandin E₂ (IC₅₀ = 134 µg mL^?1) and interleukin‐6 production (IC₅₀ = 289 µg mL^?1) by lipopolysaccharide ‐stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that pure AS can be prepared by enzymatic partial hydrolysis of TSE and employed as an anti‐inflammatory material. This is the first study to address the preparation of pure AS from natural sources. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Optimization of enzymatic extraction of ferulic acid from wheat bran,using response surface methodology,and characterization of the resulting fractions

BACKGROUND: The agro‐industries generate thousands of tons of by‐products, such as bran or pulps, each year. They are, at best, used for cattle feeding. Through biocracking, this biomass may constitute a renewable source for various molecules of interest for the industry. For instance, ferulic acid, a compound showing antioxidant ability, is found in abundance in cereal bran. Its release depends mainly on the breaking of its ester linkage to other constitutive elements of the cell wall, such as arabinoxylans. Response surface methodology was used to evaluate the effects of ferulic acid esterase (FAE) and xylanase activities, as well as incubation time and temperature, on ferulic acid extraction yield from wheat bran. Under optimized conditions, the composition of the hydrolysate and of residual bran were compared to native bran. RESULTS: Experiments carried out under the predicted optimal conditions (FAE amount, 27 U g^?1; xylanase amount, 304 U g^?1; incubation time, 2 h; and temperature, 65 °C) led to an extraction yield of 52.8%, agreeing with the expected value (51.0%). The crude ferulic acid fraction was purified with Amberlite XAD16, leading to a final concentration of 125 µg mL^?1 of ferulic acid in ethanol. The antioxidant capacity of this purified fraction was evaluated by the DPPH· scavenging method: it exhibited better efficiency (EC₅₀ = 10.6 µmol L^?1 in ferulic acid) than the ferulic acid standard (EC₅₀ = 13.7 µmol L^?1). CONCLUSION: These results confirm the potential of wheat bran valorization in the field of natural antioxidant extraction, possibly viable in an industrial scheme. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry