Optimisation of spray drying process parameters for low‐fat honey‐based milk powder with antioxidant activity

The purpose of this study was to optimise process parameters to prepare spray‐dried honey‐based milk powder containing functional properties of honey. Experimental design with temperature (180 to 200 °C), honey concentration (5–15%) and feed flow rate (8–10 rpm) as independent variables was studied to investigate the effect on product responses. Results showed that increasing the temperature resulted in powder with lower moisture, bulk density, antioxidant activity, total phenolic contents, total flavonoid contents and higher water solubility index. Increasing feed flow rate resulted in higher moisture, bulk density, antioxidant activity, reduced water solubility index, total phenolic content and total flavonoid content, whereas increasing honey concentration resulted in increase in antioxidant activity, total phenolic content and total flavonoid content. The moisture content, bulk density, water solubility index, DPPH scavenging activity, total phenolic content and total flavonoid content were 3.27%, 0.44 g cc^?1, 96.67 g g^?1, 17.45%, 2.54 GAE g^?1 powder and 1.40 RE g^?1 powder, respectively.     

Phenolics and antioxidative activities in common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L)

Six bean cultivars grown in southern Manitoba for 2 years were evaluated for variability in yield of millstreams and phenolic constituents. The ethanolic extract of bean cultivars and millstreams was screened for antioxidant activity using the β‐carotene‐linoleate and the 1, 1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) in vitro model systems. Cultivar was the main source of variation for yield of millstreams, content of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities. Phenolic compounds in cultivars varied from 3.3 to 16.6 mg catechin equivalent and from 0.15 to 0.32 mg cyanidin‐3‐glucoside equivalent g^?1 bean for total phenolic and anthocyanin contents, respectively. The bean cultivars exhibited antioxidant activity (AA) of 10–46% inhibition of lipid peroxidation in the linoleate and 0.4–1.3 trolox equivalent antioxidant capacities (TEAC) in the DPPH model systems. The hull millstream with maximum concentration of phenolic compounds exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity of 383 µM trolox equivalent g^?1 hull. Total phenolic content, alone or in combination with other phenolic constituents, is a potential candidate as a selection criterion for antioxidant activity in beans. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Antioxidant activities and phenolic compounds of pigmented rice bran extracts

This study was carried out to investigate the antioxidant activities and phenolic compounds of pigmented rice (black, red, and green rice) and brown rice brans. Antioxidant activity was determined by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical assay, 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylenebenzothiozoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical cation assay, reducing power, and chelating ability. Phenolic compounds were measured by using HPLC. Pigmented rice brans were extracted by using aqueous mixtures of acetone, ethanol, and methanol to determine the most effective extraction solvent. Of all solvents examined, extract from 40:60 acetone-water mixtures (v/v) provided the highest DPPH radical assay as well as the highest total phenolic and flavonoid content. We finally selected 40% acetone as an extraction solvent for antioxidant study of pigmented rice bran. Antioxidant activities of 40% acetone extracts of pigmented rice bran, measured in the range of 0 to 1500 μg/mL. At 500 μg/mL concentration, red rice bran, which had the highest total phenolic (259.5 μg/mg) and total flavonoid (187.4 μg/mg) contents, showed the highest antioxidant activity: 83.6%, 71.5%, 1.2%, and 16.4% for DPPH radical assay, ABTS radical cation assay, reducing power, and chelating ability, respectively. Red rice bran showed a lower EC(50) value (112.6 μg/mL) than that of butylated hydroxytoluene (144.5 μg/mL) from the DPPH radical assay. The major phenolic acids of red rice bran were ferulic, vanillic and p-coumaric acids. The results indicated pigmented rice bran might be used as a natural antioxidant. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The present study revealed black and red rice bran shows high antioxidant activities and they contain high amount of phenolic compounds. Indeed, black and red rice bran could be better raw materials for manufacturing the food with high antioxidant activity.     

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.     

Total phenol,flavonoid, proanthocyanidin and vitamin C levels and antioxidant activities of Mauritian vegetables

Ten Mauritian vegetables, broccoli, cauliflower, white cabbage, lettuce, Chinese cabbage, mugwort, carrot, onion, tomato and chilli pepper, were analysed for their total phenol, flavonoid, proanthocyanidin and vitamin C contents and antioxidant capacity. Antioxidant activities of the vegetables ranged from 0.43 to 3.68 µmol g^?1 fresh weight Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and from 0.60 to 8.47 µmol g^?1 fresh weight ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Levels of total phenols in the vegetables varied between 132 and 1189 µg g^?1 fresh weight and those of total flavonoids between 45 and 944 µg g^?1 fresh weight, while proanthocyanidins were detected at very low levels in only a few vegetables. Vitamin C contents varied between 25 and 748 µg g^?1 fresh weight. Quercetin was the dominant flavonoid aglycone in the hydrolysed vegetable extracts, with values in the range of 15–390 µg g^?1 fresh weight. There were strong correlations between antioxidant capacity and total phenols (TEAC, r = 0.91; FRAP, r = 0.83) and total flavonoids (TEAC, r = 0.89; FRAP, r = 0.82). Vitamin C contents showed poor correlation with TEAC values (r = 0.33), while no correlation was observed with FRAP values. Highest antioxidant capacities were observed in Chinese cabbage (Brassica chinensis L), onion (Allium cepa L), mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris Cantley) and broccoli (Brassica oleracea L var botrytis L subvar cymosa). Mauritian vegetables therefore represent a significant source of phenolic antioxidants, with quercetin derivatives being most abundant, and this may contribute to their potential health benefits. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Characterization of Valuable Compounds from Winter Melon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Benincasa hispida</Emphasis> (Thunb.) Cogn.) Seeds Using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction Combined with Pressure Swing Technique

In this study, we describe the extraction of different valuable compounds from winter melon seeds using supercritical carbon dioxide extraction combined with pressure swing technique (SCE-PST). The effects of the extraction variables, namely pressure, holding time (HT), and continuous extraction time (CT), were optimized by response surface methodology (RSM) to maximize the crude extraction yield (CEY). The optimal conditions were at pressure of 181.35 bar, HT of 9.93 min, and CT of 50.14 min. Under these conditions, the experimental CEY was 235.70?±?0.11 mg g^?1 with a relatively strong antioxidant activity (64.42?±?0.21 % inhibition of DPPH^· radicals, 67.36?±?0.34 % inhibition of ABTS^·+ radicals) and considerable amount of phenolic compounds (42.77?±?0.40 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract). The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed that the bioactive phenolic compounds increased significantly using PST (p?<?0.05), where gallic acid had the highest concentration (0.688?±?0.34 mg g^?1). The extract obtained using optimal SCE-PST conditions contained more than 83.65 % total unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) and linoleic acid accounted for 67.33?±?0.22 % in the total extract. From the results, the SCE efficiency in terms of extract quantity and quality has been enhanced significantly applying PST. Finally, the results were compared with previous published findings using supercritical carbon dioxide, ultrasound-assisted, and Soxhlet extraction. It was found that higher CEY could be achieved using Soxhlet extraction even through the quality of SCE-PST extracts in terms of antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds was better.     

Extraction and in vitro antioxidant capacity evaluation of phenolic compounds from pigmented aromatic rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryzae sativa</Emphasis> L.) cultivars

The aroma generating volatile components profile and in vitro antioxidant capacities of different aromatic rice cultivars was determined by GC–MS analysis and in terms of DPPH scavenging activity, lipid peroxidation inhibition, phosphomolybdenum reduction and reducing power assay. The total phenolic content including both free and bound forms in the analyzed aromatic rice cultivars, Mushki budgi (1.62 mg GAE/g), Mushki kandi (1.63 mg GAE/g) and Kamad (1.60 mg GAE/g) were found double the amount as compared to non-aromatic Koshkari (0.86 mg GAE/g) cultivar. The aromatic rice cultivars had also shown higher total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity than non-aromatic rice cultivar (Koshkari). The GC–MS results indicated 21-aromatic compounds present in sufficient quantities in aromatic cultivars and some of them were unique to these cultivars. Among the compounds identified, aldehydes were found in higher quantity followed by alkanes, ketones and esters. Among the aromatic rice cultivars, Mushki budgi and Mushki kandi were found possessing higher quantity of flavoring components such as benzaldehyde, a carcinostatic agent. The cultivars Mushki budgi and Mushki kandi indicated positive correlation of TPC, TFC and the in vitro antioxidant components largely, while the less aromatic Kamad, correlate with only two components viz DPPH and lipid peroxidation.     

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.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Spirulina</Emphasis> sp. biomass dried/disrupted by different methods and their application in biofilms production

Arthrospira Spirulina biomass is a source of intracellular compounds with great commercial interest, such as phycocyanin and phenolic compounds. In this work, different cell disruption methods of the microalgae biomass dried in spouted bed and in conventional tray were performed, aiming lead to the better extraction yields of these compounds. The samples of both drying techniques with the most suitable cell disruption were used to biofilms production. FTIR, DSC, and SEM for all samples were performed. The samples dried in spouted bed with cell disruption by milling and by microwave showed the best results for the powder products, with phycocyanin contents of 75.0 and 85.4 mg g^?1, and total phenolic compounds of 41.6 and 41.9 mg g^?1, respectively. However, the tray drying/milling produced the biofilms with the best characteristics (tensile strength of 3.69 MPa and water vapor permeability of 1.67?×?10^?11 g m s^?1 m^?2 Pa^?1) and the highest thermal stability.     

Effect of γ-irradiation on phenolic compounds in rice grain

Whole grain rice is rich in phenolic compounds. The effect of γ-irradiation on the main phenolic compounds in the rice grains of three genotypes (black, red, and white) was investigated. Three phenolic acids (p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and sinapinic acid) were identified as major phenolic compounds in all rice samples, while two anthocyanins (cyanidin-3-glucoside and peonidin-3-glucoside) were identified in pigmented grain samples. In general, γ-irradiation at most of doses could significantly (p < 0.05) decrease total phenolic acid contents in all samples and total anthocyanins contents in the black rice, but their decreases were not completely in a dose-dependent manner. Unexpectedly, 6 and 8 kGy significantly (p < 0.05) increased total contents of anthocyanins and phenolic acids in black rice. This study suggested that suitable doses of irradiation might be carefully selected and used to minimise the loss of antioxidant phenolic compounds in whole grain rice during storage.     

Characterisation of the phenolic and flavonoid fractions and antioxidant power of Italian honeys of different botanical origin

BACKGROUND: Twenty‐seven Italian honey samples of different floral origin were analysed for total phenolic and flavonoid contents by a spectrophotometric method and for antioxidant power and radical‐scavenging activity by the ferric‐reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) and 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays respectively. In addition, the phenolic and flavonoid profiles were analysed using high‐performance liquid chromatography with UV detection (HPLC‐UV). RESULTS: The results of this study showed that honey contains copious amounts of phenolics and flavonoids. HPLC‐UV analysis showed a similar qualitative polyphenolic profile for all honey samples analysed. The main difference among samples was in the contribution of individual analytes, which was affected by floral origin. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents varied from 60.50 to 276.04 mg gallic acid equivalent kg^?1 and from 41.88 to 211.68 mg quercetin equivalent kg^?1 respectively. The antioxidant capacity was high and differed widely among samples. The FRAP value varied from 1.265 to 4.396 mmol Fe²⁺ kg^?1, while the radical‐scavenging activity expressed as DPPH‐IC₅₀ varied from 7.08 to 64.09 mg mL^?1. Correlations between the parameters analysed were found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study shows that honey contains high levels of phenolics and flavonoids and that the distribution of these compounds is influenced by the honey's floral origin. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of the iron biofortification on enzymes activities and antioxidant properties in germinated brown rice

This study evaluated the effects of germination and iron biofortification process on the enzymes activities and antioxidant properties of brown rice. The results showed that germination rates were increased after iron biofortification process. Accumulation of total iron in brown rice germinated in 2 g/L solution of ferrous sulfate was increased by 12.05–16.50 times compared with non-biofortified germinated brown rice. Furthermore, catalase and peroxidase activities were increased and decreased after this process, respectively. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were significantly (p?<?0.05) increased 1.29 and 3.91 times compared with brown rice seed. The antioxidant activities were notably enhanced, especially at high iron concentrations. Hence, the iron biofortification process could be highly beneficial to improve the antioxidant capacities in brown rice. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents had a great correlation with DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities in cultivar Teyou 458 (r?=?0.9132–0.9439) but were not related to ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) values. Moreover, in the same experiment, rice varieties had a great influence on the experimental results under the same iron biofortification conditions. This study concluded that cultivar Teyou 128 biofortified with 0.25 g/L ferrous sulfate solution during the germination process is appropriate to make functional food for human consumption.     

Beneficial effect of the unsaponifiable matter from rice bran on oxidative stress in vitro compared with α‐tocopherol

Unsaponifiable matter (UM) was prepared from rice bran using n‐hexane extraction followed by removal of its fatty acid methyl ester with supercritical CO₂ under heat‐stable conditions. The UM was made up of 1% of vitamin E isomers, 28% of γ‐oryzanol and 71% of uncharacterized compounds. The aim of this study was to determine the antioxidant activities of the UM, using α‐tocopherol (α‐T) as a positive control, by measuring the Fe³⁺‐reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH^?) free‐radical‐scavenging property and lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes. In addition, the effects of the UM on the tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (t‐BOOH)‐induced cytotoxicity in cultured rat hepatocytes were also investigated. In FRAP assay and DPPH^? free‐radical‐scavenging assay, the results were expressed g^?1α‐T or g^?1 UM. The amount of UM used in lipid peroxidation assay and cytotoxicity assay was the amount required to have equal amounts of total vitamin E isomers in the sample and the control α‐T. The UM, as well as α‐T, exhibited significant antioxidant activities in FRAP, radical‐scavenging and membrane‐lipid oxidation. The FRAP value for total vitamin E isomers in the UM (TVEIUM) was 9.1 times higher than that for α‐T. In terms of their capacities to perform radical‐scavenging and lipid peroxidation, both TVEIUM and α‐T showed similar antioxidant activities. In experiments using cultured rat hepatocytes, the t‐BOOH‐induced lactate dehydrogenase release was significantly inhibited by the addition of 63.5 and 160 µg ml^?1 of TVEIUM treatments (84 and 89%, respectively), and that of 63.5 and 160 µg ml^?1 of α‐T treatment (88 and 93%, respectively). The antioxidant function against oxidative stress of the UM prepared from rice bran may extend its use to being a potential dietary supplement. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Phenolic profile,antioxidant, anticholinesterase,and anti-tyrosinase activities of the various extracts of Ferula elaeochytris and Sideritis stricta

In this study, the antioxidant, anticholinesterase, and anti-tyrosinase properties of (hexane, acetone, methanol, and water) extracts of Ferula elaeochytris and Sideritis stricta were determined with the total phenolic and flavonoid contents. The phenolic profile of the methanol and water extracts was analysed using HPLC-DAD. Protocatechuic acid was found as the major phenolic compound in the methanol (116.3 ± 3.1 µg/g) and water extracts (69.4 ± 1.3 µg/g) of F. elaeochytris. Coumarins (253.9 ± 4.1 µg/g) and catechin hydrate (175.2 ± 2.9 µg/g) were the most abundant phenolic compounds in the methanol and water extracts of S. stricta. β-carotene–linoleic acid, DPPH^?, ABTS^?+, CUPRAC, and metal-chelating assays were used to evaluate antioxidant properties of the extracts. The methanol and water extracts of F. elaeochytris and the acetone and methanol extracts of S. stricta containing the highest amount of total phenolic and flavonoid contents showed the highest antioxidant activities in β-carotene–linoleic acid, DPPH^?, ABTS^?+, and CUPRAC assays. The enzyme inhibitory potential of extracts was investigated against key enzymes involved in neurodegenerative (acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE)) and skin (tyrosinase) disorders. In the cholinesterase inhibitory assays, the hexane extracts of two species exhibited the best activity against AChE, while the hexane extract of F. elaeochytris and the methanol extract of S. stricta observed to be the most active against BChE. As for anti-tyrosinase activity results of extracts, the only acetone and methanol extracts showed mild inhibitory activity for both species.     

Production,iron analysis and consumer perception of functional Thai Sinlek iron rice (Oryza sativa) drink

We produced the iron rice (IR) drink, determined the relevant chemical composition and antioxidant activity and tested the consumers’ degree of satisfaction. IR grains were digested with α-amylase and analysed chemical composition and antioxidant activity, while the hydrolysate (pH 4.0) and flavouring agents were added for final preparation of the IR drink. The IR hydrolysate contained a total iron content of 13.9 mg g⁻¹, a total phenolic content of 1.33 ± 0.07 mg gallic acid equivalent g⁻¹ and γ-oryzanol of 70.12 ± 2.7 mg kg⁻¹ rice grain, all of which inhibited the generation of free radicals in a concentration-dependent manner. The IR drink was composed of flavonoids and phenolic acids for which kaempferol was predominant. The members of all three groups of elderly subjects who consumed the low-dose IR (1.47 mg iron/100 mL), high-dose IR (2.74 mg iron/100 mL) and white rice (WR; 0.5 mg iron/100 mL) drinks expressed satisfaction and interest with the beverages at 91.2%, 100% and 88.9%, respectively. In terms of sensory evaluation, the low-dose IR drink revealed a higher acceptance rating than high-dose IR and WR (P < 0.05). Notably, the Sinlek rice drink was abundant with iron, anti-oxidative phenolics and γ-oryzanol, for which consumers expressed an overall degree of acceptance (8.1 ± 1.1).     

Release of phenolic acids from defatted rice bran by subcritical water treatment

BACKGROUND: Oil production from rice bran, an undervalued by‐product of rice milling, produces defatted rice bran (DRB) as a waste material. Although it is considered a less valuable product, DRB still contains useful substances such as phenolic compounds with antioxidant, UV‐B‐protecting and anti‐tumour activities. In this study the phenolic acids in DRB were extracted with subcritical water at temperatures of 125, 150, 175 and 200 °C. RESULTS: Analysis of total phenolics using Folin–Ciocalteu reagent showed about 2–20 g gallic acid equivalent kg^?1 bran in the extracts. High‐performance liquid chromatography analysis showed low contents of phenolic acids (about 0.4–2 g kg^?1 bran). Ferulic, p‐coumaric, gallic and caffeic acids were the major phenolic acids identified in the extracts. Thermal analysis of the phenolic acids was also done. The thermogravimetric curves showed that p‐coumaric, caffeic and ferulic acids started to decompose at about 170 °C, while gallic acid did not start to decompose until about 200 °C. CONCLUSION: Subcritical water can be used to hydrolyse rice bran and release phenolic compounds, but the high temperatures used in the extraction can also cause the decomposition of phenolic acids. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Phenolic compounds,lycopene and antioxidant activity in commercial varieties of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum)

Nine commercial varieties of tomato (Rambo, Senior, Ramillete, Liso, Pera, Canario, Durina, Daniella and Remate) produced in Spain were analysed for their lycopene content, content of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity. The phenolic compounds were characterised as flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol and naringenin) and hydroxycinnamic acids (caffeic, chlorogenic, ferulic and p‐coumaric acids). Antioxidant activity was measured using the DPPH and ABTS assays. The concentrations of lycopene and the various phenolic compounds as well as the antioxidant activity were significantly influenced by the tomato variety. Quercetin, the most abundant flavonoid, was found in concentrations ranging between 7.19 and 43.59 mg kg^?1 fresh weight, while naringenin levels were lower than 12.55 mg kg^?1. The most abundant hydroxycinnamic acid was chlorogenic acid, with values ranging from 14 to 32 mg kg^?1 fresh weight, followed by caffeic acid, while p‐coumaric and ferulic acids showed similar concentrations lower than 5 mg kg^?1. The highest content of lycopene was found in Ramillete, Pera and Durina (>50 mg kg^?1 fresh weight), while the concentration in the other varieties was between 50 and 30 mg kg^?1, with the exception of Liso (less than 20 mg kg^?1). The antioxidant activity of tomato extracts varied with the tomato variety and the assay method used. Individual compounds found to be significantly related to antioxidant capacity were lycopene and ferulic and caffeic acids, but not quercetin and chlorogenic acid. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

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.     

Chemical Composition, Antioxidant Capacity, and Sensory Quality of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Arils and Rind as Affected by Drying Method

The objective of this study was to evaluate the application of: (1) freeze drying, (2) convective drying (50, 60, or 70 °C), (3) vacuum–microwave drying (240, 360, or 480 W), and (4) a combined method of convective pre-drying and vacuum–microwave finish drying in the processing of pomegranate arils and rind. The quality parameters under study included sugars and organic acids, punicalagins and ellagic acid, total polyphenols, total antioxidant activity, and sensory quality. In general, drying led to a reduction in all studied parameters; however, the behavior of arils and rind was different. Vacuum–microwave drying at 240 or 360 W was the best drying treatment for arils, while rind required freeze drying or soft conditions of convective drying (50 °C). Further research is needed to obtain proper results with convective pre-drying and vacuum–microwave finish drying of arils and rind. With proper selection of the drying protocol, high-quality dried arils will be available for consumers; these arils will be characterized by high contents of fructose (25 g 100 g^?1), phytic acid (2.2 g 100 g^?1), punicalagins (0.57 mg g^?1), total polyphenols (1.6 mg eq gallic acid g^?1), high antioxidant capacity (0.6 mg eq Trolox g^?1), and high intensities of garnet color, sweetness, sourness, and fresh pomegranate aroma. Besides, dried rind with very high contents of active compounds (123 mg g^?1 of punicalagins and 108 mg eq gallic acid g^?1) and high antioxidant capacity (26 mg eq Trolox g^?1) will be also available as functional material.     

Antioxidant Activity and Determination of Phenolic Compounds from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eugenia involucrata</Emphasis> DC. Fruits by UHPLC-MS/MS

Fruits have been the focus of several studies aimed at finding new antioxidant sources for protection against the damage caused by reactive species. In this study, the antioxidant activity and the presence of phenolic compounds in all parts (peel, pulp, and seeds) of Eugenia involucrata DC. fruits were evaluated. DPPH^·, ABTS^·+, and ORAC methods were used to determine the antioxidant activity, and an UHPLC-MS/MS method was developed for determining the phenolic compounds (gallic, chlorogenic, ferulic, p-coumaric and ellagic acids, quercetin, and myricetin). In the determination of both antioxidant activity and phenolic composition, the efficiency of solvents with different polarities—methanol/H₂O (80:20, v/v), ethanol/H₂O (80:20, v/v), methanol/acidified water with phosphoric acid pH 3.00 (80:20, v/v), and ethyl acetate—for the extraction of the phenolic compounds, was also evaluated. All parts of E. involucrata fruits showed antioxidant activity, in the range of 36.68 ± 1.44 to 873.87 ± 18.24 μmol TE g^?1, being the highest values found in the seeds and peel when more polar extraction solvents were used. Six, five, and three phenolic compounds were identified and quantified in the pulp, peel, and seeds, respectively, with the highest abundance as p-coumaric acid (14 ± 2 mg kg^?1) in the pulp, quercetin (47 ± 5 mg kg^?1) in the peel, and gallic acid (74 ± 4 mg kg^?1) in the seeds, also when more polar solvents were used. Although antioxidant activity methods suggested that the peel and seeds have more antioxidant potential, a wider variety of compounds were determined in the pulp.