Antioxidant properties and bioactive constituents of some rare exotic Thai fruits and comparison with conventional fruits: In vitro and in vivo studies

The aim of this research was to investigate the bioactivity of durian, snake fruit and mangosteen, rare exotic Thai fruits. These fruits were compared among them and with conventional fruits: durian with mango and avocado, and snake fruit with mangosteen and kiwifruit in order to find the preferable diet for human consumption. The contents of polyphenols, flavonoids, flavanols, tannins, anthocyanins, ascorbic acid and carotenoids, and the level of antioxidant potential by ABTS, DPPH, FRAP and CUPRAC in different extracts (methanol, water, acetone, and hexane) were determined. The presence of polyphenols (flavonoids and phenolic acids) in the investigated samples was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and three-dimensional fluorimetry (3D-FL).The in vivo studies were carried out on 25 male Wistar rats, divided into 5 diet groups, each of 5. During 30 days of the experiment the rats of all 5 groups were fed basal diet (BD), which included wheat starch, casein, soybean oil, vitamin and mineral mixtures. The rats of the Control group were fed only the BD. The BD of the other 4 groups was supplemented with 1% of nonoxidized cholesterol (NOC) (Chol group), 1% of NOC in each group and 5% of lyophilized fruits: durian (Chol/Durian), snake fruit (Chol/Snake), mangosteen (Chol/Mangosteen). After the experiment diets supplemented with exotic fruits significantly hindered the rise in plasma lipids and hindered the decrease in the plasma antioxidant activity. In conclusion, the contents of bioactive compounds and the antioxidant potential are relatively high in the studied fruits and varied among them depending on the extraction procedure. FT-IR and 3D-FL can be used as additional tools for identification and comparison of bioactive compounds. Supplementation of diets with exotic fruits positively affects plasma lipid profile and antioxidant activity in rats fed cholesterol-containing diets.     

Two exotic fruits positively affect rat’s plasma composition

The aim of this investigation was to determine the bioactive compounds and the antioxidant potentials of Snake fruit and Mangosteen and their influence on plasma lipid levels and antioxidant activity in rats fed cholesterol-containing diets. It was found that total polyphenols and antioxidant potentials of Snake fruit were significantly higher than those of Mangosteen (P < 0.05). A cholesterol-containing diet supplemented with the studied exotic fruits showed a positive affect on rat’s plasma lipid levels and on the antioxidant activity during 30 days of feeding. In rat’s plasma of the Chol/Snake diet group, the fibrinogen fraction showed a decrease in the amounts and compositions of electrophoretic protein bands in the range of 110 and 14 kDa. However, all the positive results of this experiment on animals could not be automatically applied to humans.     

Nutritional properties of mussels <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mytilus galloprovincialis</Emphasis>

The aim of this study was to determine the quality indices and assess the influence of diets supplemented with mussels from contaminated (MCont) and non-contaminated areas (MNCont) on some indices of protein and lipid metabolism in rats fed with cholesterol. A wide range of in vitro tests demonstrated that mussels from contaminated area have a higher content of proteins, lipids and higher antioxidant capability. In the in vivo experiment, 28 male Wistar rats were divided into 4 diet groups each of 7 and named Control, Cholesterol (Chol), Chol/MCont and Chol/MNCont. During 30 days of the experiment rats of all four groups were fed basal diet (BD), supplemented with 1% of Chol, 1% of Chol and 5.6% of mussel’s dry matter (DM) from contaminated and 1% Chol and 5.6% of mussel DM from non-contaminated areas for Chol/MCont and Chol/MNCont groups, respectively. At the end of the experiment, a high digestibility coefficient of DM and crude protein in the Chol/MCont and Chol/MNCont groups of rats was found: 93.56 and 93.87% and 91.64 and 91.36%, respectively, and the differences were not significant (P > 0.05). However, the protein efficiency ratio was significantly higher in the Chol/MCont and Chol/MNCont than in the Control and Chol diet groups. Also the level of nitrogen retention as shown by feces and urine examination was higher in the Chol/MCont and Chol/MNCont groups. Diet, supplemented with mussel dry matter from both contaminated and non-contaminated areas significantly hindered the rise in plasma lipids and also hindered the decrease in plasma antioxidant activity. Minor changes were fixed in the protein profile of rat’s plasma after both mussels’ diet. In conclusion, supplementation of diets, containing cholesterol with mussels’ DM from both contaminated and non-contaminated areas improves animals’ protein metabolism and positively affects plasma lipid profile and plasma antioxidant activity. Antioxidant tests can be used as an additional index for the quality of mussels.     

Effect of hesperidin and naringin on the plasma lipid profile and plasma antioxidant activity in rats fed a cholesterol‐containing diet

The objective of this study was to compare the influence of hesperidin and naringin, the main flavonones of orange and grapefruit, on plasma lipid profile and antioxidant activity in rats fed a cholesterol‐containing diet. Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups of 10, named Control, Hesperidin, Naringin, Chol, Chol/Hesperidin and Chol/Naringin. The Control group was fed a basal diet (BD) and 1–2 mL of distilled water. To the BD of the other five groups were added 0.1–0.2 mg of hesperidin dissolved in 1–2 mL of distilled water (Hesperidin group), 0.46–0.92 mg of naringin in 1–2 mL of water (Naringin group), 1% of non‐oxidised cholesterol (NOC) and 1–2 mL of water (Chol), 1% of NOC and 0.1–0.2 mg of hesperidin in 1–2 mL of water (Chol/Hesperidin), 1% of NOC and 0.46–0.92 mg of naringin in 1–2 mL of water (Chol/Naringin). After 30 days of the experiment it was found that the diets supplemented with hesperidin and naringin increased the plasma antioxidant activity. In conclusion, diets supplemented with hesperidin and naringin significantly hindered the increase in plasma lipid levels caused by cholesterol feeding. Hesperidin and naringin, bioactive compounds of citrus fruits, are powerful plasma lipid lowering and plasma antioxidant activity increasing flavonones. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Influence of mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from polluted and non-polluted areas on some atherosclerosis indices in rats fed cholesterol

The influence of diets supplemented with mussels, from polluted (MPoll) and non-polluted (MNPoll) areas, on some atherosclerosis indices in rats fed cholesterol (Chol) were studied. According to the results of our investigation in vitro, mussels from polluted areas had higher contents of proteins, metals and antioxidant compounds, mostly phenolics and higher antioxidant capacities. 28 male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of 7 and named Control, Chol, Chol/MPoll and Chol/MNPoll. The rats of the Control group received basal diet (BD) only, and the diets of the other 3 groups were supplemented with 1% of non-oxidized cholesterol (NOC), 1% of NOC and 5.6% of mussel dry matter (DM) from polluted and 1% of NOC and 5.6% of mussel DM from non-polluted areas for Chol, Chol/MPoll and Chol/MNPoll, respectively. The histology of the aorta and brain in rats fed cholesterol did not show any signs of atherosclerosis. Some differences were registered in the electrophoretic protein patterns of plasma in rats, with mussel-supplemented diets. In full plasma electrophoretic patterns of the Chol/MPoll diet group more proteins were detected than in both Chol and Control groups, and the differences were significant. In conclusion, in groups of rats fed cholesterol with mussels supplementation, a significant hindering in the rise of plasma lipid levels and also hindering in the decrease of plasma antioxidant activity were registered.     

Sugar beet pulp and apple pomace dietary fibers improve lipid metabolism in rats fed cholesterol

The effect of diets supplemented with sugar beet pulp fiber (SBP, 10%) and apple pomace fiber (AP, 10%) on lipids and lipids peroxides was investigated in 60 male Wistar rats. The rats were divided into six groups of 10 and adapted to cholesterol-free or 0.3% cholesterol diets. The basal diet (BD) contained wheat meal, barley meal, wheat hulls, meat-bone meal, barley sprouts, skimmed milk, fodder yeast, mineral and vitamin mixtures. The Control group (Control) consumed BD only. To the BD were added 3 g/kg cholesterol (Chol), 100 g/kg dry sugar beet pulp fiber (SBP), both 100 g/kg sugar beet pulp fiber and 3 g/kg cholesterol (SBP+Chol), 100 g/kg apple pomace fiber (AP), both 100 g/kg apple pomace fiber and 3 g/kg cholesterol (AP+Chol). The experiment lasted 40 days. Plasma total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), total phospholipids (TPH), HDL phospholipids (HDL-PH), lipid peroxides (LP) and liver TC concentration were measured. Groups did not differ before the experiment. In the Chol+SBP and the Chol+AP vs. Chol group the sugar beet pulp and apple pomace dietary fiber supplemented diet significantly (P<0.05) hindered the rise of plasma lipids: (a) TC−2.97 vs. 3.69 mmol/l, −20% and 3.01 vs 3.69 mmol/l, −18.4%, respectively; (b) LDL-C −1.36 vs. 2.02 mmol/l, −32.6% and 1.39 vs. 2.02 mmol/l, −31.2%, respectively; (c) TG −0.73 vs. 0.88 mmol/l, and 0.75 vs. 0.88 mmol/l; −17 and −14.8%, respectively, and TC in liver (17.1 vs. 24.3 μmol/g, −29.6% and 17.9 v. 24.3 μmol/g, −26.3%, respectively. Sugar beet and apple pomace fiber-supplemented diets significantly hindered the decrease in HDL-PH (0.79 vs. 0.63 mmol/l, −25.3%, P<0.025 and 0.75 vs. 0.63 mmol/l, −19%, P<0.05, respectively) and decreased the level of TPH (1.34 vs. 1.74 mmol/l, −23%, P<0.005 and 1.37 vs. 1.74 mmol/l, −21.3%, P<0.01, respectively). Both sugar beet pulp fiber and apple pomace fiber, in rats fed the basal diet without cholesterol, did not significantly affect the variables measured. Neither sugar beet pulp fiber or apple pomace fiber-supplemented diets influenced the level of lipid peroxides. These results demonstrate that sugar beet pulp fiber and to a lesser degree apple pomace fiber possess hypolipidemic properties. This is more evident when sugar beet pulp fiber or apple pomace fiber are added to the diet of rats fed cholesterol. The hypolipidemic effects of both sugar beet pulp fiber and apple pomace fiber can be attributed to their water-soluble parts. The sugar beet pulp and apple pomace fibers have no antioxidant properties.     

Comparative characterisation of durian,mango and avocado

The aim of this investigation was to determine the nutritional and bioactive properties of relatively less investigated exotic fruit durian (Durio zibethinus Murr.) and to compare these indices with widely used mango (Mangifera indica L.) and avocado (Persea americana). For this purpose HPLC, three‐dimensional fluorescence (3D‐FL), several radical scavenging assays and multivariate factor analysis were used. It was found a similarity in acetone extracts between durian and mango in the contents of polyphenols (1.66 ± 0.08, 1.48 ± 0.05, mg GAE g^?1 DW, respectively), and in some antioxidant assays such as ABTS (11.98 ± 0.5, 12.24 ± 0.5, μm TE g^?1DW, respectively) and DPPH (5.61 ± 0.3, 5.22 ± 0.2, μm TE g^?1 DW, respectively). Durian and avocado were similar in the contents of polyphenols, and ABTS and DPPH values in water and in methanol extracts, respectively. Based on the obtained results the nutritional and bioactive properties of durian are comparable with those indices in mango and avocado. In conclusion, durian can be recommended as a part of disease prevented diets.     

Mechanical and chemical properties of Gold cultivar pineapple flesh (Ananas comosus)

Pineapple flesh cut from three cross sections along the central axis were used to determine mechanical response to compression, penetration, shear and extrusion forces, color and related enzymes activity, antioxidant properties and other quality attributes and how they vary along the central axis of the fruit to determine the key factors to define Gold cultivar pineapple quality requirements for fresh-cut processing. Hardness, fracturability and associated work did not significantly vary among fruit pieces from different sections of the fruit, except for shear hardness (from 6.5 ± 1.2 to 10.0 ± 3.5 N) and related work (from 19 ± 6 to 41 ± 24 N mm). Color parameters, L*and b*, increased from the bottom to the upper third, while a* and POD activity (6.70 ± 0.15 to 6.02 ± 0.11/min/mL) significantly decreased while PPO activity was not detected. Vitamin C and total phenol content to acidity ratio were lower in the upper third of the fruit (305 ± 40 mg/100 g_fw and 40.3 ± 1.0 mg _{gallic acid}/100 g_fw, respectively), contrary to titratable acidity (0.45 ± 0.05 to 0.70 ± 0.05 g/100 g_fw) and water content (81.2 ± 0.8 to 85.7 ± 1.4%). POD activity, water content, total phenolic compounds and the ratio soluble solids to acidity were the four parameters which allowed better discrimination between Gold cultivar pineapple flesh cut from the three cross sections along the central axis of the fruit and showed the highest correlation coefficients between each pair of parameters.     

Antioxidant and antiproliferative effects of methanol extracts from raw and fermented parts of mulberry plant (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Morus alba</Emphasis> L.)

Total phenolic content, phenolic acids, radical scavenging activity and antiproliferative properties of different parts of mulberry (Morus alba L.) were determined. The highest phenolic content was found in methanol extracts of mulberry root (117.7 ± 2.0), followed by leaves (71.4 ± 2.4), branches (49.0 ± 1.5) and fruit (11.2 ± 0.3) [mg ferulic acid equivalents (FAE) kg⁻¹ dry weight (DW)] (P < 0.05). The highest level of total phenolics in the fractions was in roots (166.2 ± 7.5 and 160.8 ± 7.2 mg kg⁻¹ DW for BuOH and EtOAC, respectively). Methanol extracts and their fractions dose dependently increased radical scavenging activity of mulberry branches, roots and leafs (more than 70%). Total phenolic content of the tested plant extracts was highly correlated with the radical scavenging activity. The antiproliferative effect of mulberry parts on human cell lines was different and connected to the concentrations of the investigated extracts. The fermentation of the mulberry leaves did increase their methanol extract antiproliferative effect only on human gastric carcinoma (SNU-601) cell line in concentration of 1,000 mg mL⁻¹. In conclusion, some plant parts of the Korean mulberry could be recommended as preventative and therapeutic agents, based on their antioxidant and antiproliferative properties.     

The total polyphenols and the antioxidant potentials of some selected cereals and pseudocereals

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of phenolic substances and proteins on the antioxidant potentials in some cereals and pseudocereals and to compare their bioability. The polyphenol dry matter extracts (PDME) from the investigated seeds of buckwheat, rice, soybean, amaranth and quinoa with 1.2 M HCl in 50% methanol/water (PDME50%Met/HCl) exhibited higher inhibition of lipid peroxidation than the ones extracted with 50% methanol/water (PDME50%Met) and were comparable to the antioxidant activity of butylated hydroxyanisole at concentration of 0.2 mg mL⁻¹. The antioxidant activities of these seed extracts determined by 2,2′-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate)-ABTS^●+/K₂S₂O₈, β-carotene bleaching (β-carotene), and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging methods showed high correlation coefficients (R ²) such as 0.9515, 0.9058 and 0.8723, respectively, with the presence of total polyphenols estimated by Folin-Ciocalteu assay. These results indicate that the major antioxidant components in these extracts mostly derived from the polyphenols, and proteins showed only minimal values of bioactivity. Based on high contents of polyphenols, anthocyanins, flavonoids and their antioxidant activities pseudocereals such as buckwheat, quinoa and amaranth can be a substitute for cereals for common and atherosclerotic diets and sometimes in the allergic cases.     

Determination and Evaluation of the Mineral Composition of Chinese Cabbage (Beta vulgaris)

Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry was used to determine the elements present in Chinese cabbage (Beta vulgaris). The accuracy of the method was confirmed by analysis of a certified reference material of spinach leaves. The study involved 57 samples that were collected in 13 Brazilian cities. Average concentrations of elements found per gram of Chinese cabbage were as follows: 3.44 mg g⁻¹ sodium, 5.09 mg g⁻¹ potassium, 1.25 mg g⁻¹ phosphorous, 0.85 mg g⁻¹ calcium, 0.49 mg g⁻¹ magnesium, 2.79 μg g⁻¹ manganese, 9.50 μg g⁻¹ iron, 0.74 μg g⁻¹ copper, 14.28 μg g⁻¹ zinc, and 6.44 μg g⁻¹ strontium. Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis demonstrated that there is no systematic difference in the mineral composition between the cabbage samples that were analyzed.     

Application of ultrafiltration in the study of phenolic isolates and melanoidins from pale and black brewers' spent grain

Two types of brewers' spent grain (BSG), pale and black, were studied employing ultrafiltration (UF cut‐off, 10 kDa) to obtain high‐molecular‐weight (HMW) and low‐molecular‐weight (LMW) phenolic fractions from one pale (P2) and one black (B2) BSG extracts. Of the four UF fractions obtained, the HMW B2 fraction had highest level of polyphenols (5.73 ± 0.25 mg GAE g^?1 BSG dw) and protein (18.82 ± 0.41 mg protein g^?1 BSG dw). Metal‐chelating ability and antioxidative properties were also identified. Antioxidant activity evaluated using the DPPH and FRAP assays, indicated that activity in B2 extracts was associated mainly with the HMW fraction (3.10 ± 0.10 and 2.49 ± 0.09 TE g^?1 BSG dw, respectively), whereas in P2 samples, antioxidant activity was highest in LMW fractions (0.58 ± 0.01 and 0.92 ± 0.03 TE g^?1 BSG dw, respectively). The high antioxidant activity and metal‐chelating ability observed for black BSG extracts may be attributed to the presence of coloured melanoidinic structures.     

Coriander (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Coriandrum sativum</Emphasis> L.) seed oil improves plasma lipid profile in rats fed a diet containing cholesterol

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) seed oil (COR) is a promising oil with high levels of bioactive compounds. Very little information, however, is available on the effect of administration of COR on different aspects of plasma lipid profile in experimental animals. In view of the important implications, the effect of administration of COR and oil blend [a mixture of soybean oil, coriander oil and sunflower oil (4:2:4, w/w/w; Blend)] on the profile of plasma lipids was investigated in 24 male albino rats placed on a cholesterol-rich (1%) basal diet as compared to rats on a cholesterol-free basal diet. Coriander seed oil and Blend were analyzed for composition of fatty acid, sterol and tocopherol. The levels of bioactive compounds (sterols and tocopherols) were higher in COR than in the Blend. In addition, the antiradical potential of COR and Blend was measured and the results showed that COR had stronger radical scavenging activity than Blend. In the biological experiment, rats were divided into four diet groups. The negative control group (control) consumed the basal diet (BD) only, which contained wheat starch, casein and cellulose, as well as mineral and vitamin mixtures. To the BD were added 1 g/100 g cholesterol (Chol/group), or both (Chol/COR group) and (Chol/Blend group). The groups did not differ before the experiment, which lasted 60 days. Plasma total lipids (TL), triacylglycerols (TAG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured at day 15, 30, 45 and 60 during the experiment period. Generally, COR and Blend-supplemented diets decreased the levels of TL, TC, TAG and LDL-C in plasma. In addition, significant increase in the levels of HDL-C was observed for Chol/COR and Chol/Blend groups. The results demonstrated that COR, and to a relatively lesser degree Blend, have hypocholesterolemic properties in rats fed a cholesterol-rich diet.     

Comparative assessment of two extraction procedures for determination of bioactive compounds in some berries used for daily food consumption

Two extractions with methanol and water were used to determine the antioxidant and binding properties of some berries as a supplement to food. Fluorometry, FTIR spectra and radical scavenging assays were used for characterisation of bioactive compounds (polyphenols, flavonoids, flavanols and tannins) and the levels of their antioxidant activities (AAs). The contents of bioactive compounds and AAs in water and methanol polyphenol extracts in gooseberries, blueberries and cranberries differed, but not always significantly. Water extracts of gooseberries showed the lowest amounts of polyphenols (mg GAE g^?1), 6.24 ± 0.6, and flavonoids (mg CE g^?1), 0.29 ± 0.01, and AAs (μMTE g^?1) determined by DPPH, FRAP, ABTS and CUPRAC assays such as 6.05 ± 0.6, 8.07 ± 0.9, 18.70 ± 1.8 and 13.44 ± 1.2, respectively, in comparison with blueberries and cranberries. Polyphenol content highly correlated with antioxidant activity (R² from 0.94 to 0.81). The quenching properties of berries were studied by the interaction of water and methanol polyphenol extracts with HSA by 3D fluorescence. In conclusion, the bioactivity of gooseberries was lower than in blueberries and cranberries. Gooseberries can be used as a new source for food consumption and supplementation based on their antioxidant and binding properties. 3D fluorescence spectroscopy and FTIR spectroscopy can be applied as additional analytical tools for rapid estimation of the quality of different food products.     

High apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids in raw and germinated faba bean (Vicia faba)‐ and chickpea (Cicer arietinum)‐based diets for rats

The effects of germinated faba bean (Vicia faba minor var Alameda)‐ and chickpea (Cicer arietinum kabuli var Athenas)‐based diets on performance, N utilisation, amino acid ileal digestibility and plasma concentrations were studied in growing male Wistar rats. Raw and germinated faba bean and chickpea seed meals were incorporated in essential amino acid‐supplemented and energy‐equalised diets as the only sources of protein. A lactalbumin‐based diet equalised in protein (100 g kg^?1) and digestible energy (15.5 kJ g^?1) with the test diets was used as control. Weight gains, gain/feed ratios, N retention and NPU values of animals fed raw or germinated legumes were lower than those of rats given the control (lactalbumin) diet, while faecal dry weights were higher. However, N retention and NPU values of rats fed germinated faba bean diets were higher and faecal dry weights lower than those of animals fed non‐germinated faba bean diets. Liver and thymus fresh and dry relative weights were lower than controls for all legume diets, whilst small intestine, caecum and colon relative weights were higher than controls for non‐germinated faba beans and chickpeas either germinated or not. Caecum and colon fresh and dry relative weights of rats fed germinated faba bean seeds were lower than those of rats fed non‐germinated faba beans and not different from controls. Except for aspartic acid and proline in rats fed raw faba bean diets, apparent ileal digestibilities of amino acids were not different or higher in rats fed legume diets as compared with controls. Except for arginine, apparent ileal amino acid digestibility was higher for germinated than for non‐germinated faba bean seeds. The amounts of glycine, arginine and ornithine in plasma significantly increased whilst those of threonine, alanine, leucine and lysine decreased with respect to controls in faba bean‐ or chickpea‐fed rats, either germinated or not. We conclude that (a) germination of faba bean seeds gave rise to a significant (P < 0.01) but limited improvement in performance, N retention and apparent ileal digestibilities of some amino acids in growing rats compared with non‐germinated seeds, while there was no detectable effect in the case of germinated chickpea seeds, and (b) the apparent ileal amino acid digestibility of essential amino acid‐supplemented diets based on faba bean or chickpea meals, either germinated or not, is similar or even higher than controls. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Organs relative weight and plasma amino acid concentrations in rats fed diets based on whole legume (faba bean,lupin, chickpea,defatted soybean) seed meals or their fractions

The effects on organ relative weights (g per 100 g bw) and plasma amino acid concentrations of diets based in legume (faba bean (Vicia faba), lupin (Lupinus angustifolius), chickpea (Cicer arietinum) and soybean (Glycine max)) seed meals as the only source of protein were studied with growing rats using lactalbumin or casein as controls. Also, legume seed meal extracted globulins were included in control diets replacing lactalbumin to produce legume globulin‐based diets, and legume residue fractions, containing most of the starch and/or insoluble fibre (NSP+lignin) from the seed meals, were included in control diets to reach the same amounts present in whole legume seed meal diets. All experimental diets were formulated to contain the same amounts of protein (100 g kg⁻¹) and energy (15.5 kJ g⁻¹), and were supplemented with essential amino acids. Compared with lactalbumin, higher relative weights of gastrointestinal sections were determined in rats fed legume seed meals or their corresponding residue fractions. On the contrary, spleen relative weight was lower in rats fed diets containing lupin, chickpea or soybean meals or extracted globulins, while residue fractions had no effect on it. Thymus relative weight was also lower in rats fed whole chickpea seed meal or any of the extracted legume globulins. Except for chickpea meal, animals fed legume‐ or legume protein‐based diets had lower liver relative weights than controls. Lower proportions (mg g⁻¹ tissue) of glycogen, and lower total protein and RNA, were also determined in the livers of rats fed lupin seed meal. Free plasma concentrations (mM litre ⁻¹) of glycine, histidine and arginine were higher, and threonine, leucine and lysine were lower, in rats fed diets based in all legume seed meals of their respective globulin proteins. The possible reasons and implications of these results are discussed. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

珊瑚菌子实体和菌丝体营养成分与抗氧化活性的比较

采用国标及常规分析方法对珊瑚菌子实体和菌丝体中营养成分和活性物质多糖、多酚含量及其抗氧化活性进行分析,结果表明:珊瑚菌子实体与菌丝体碳水化合物含量分别为38.74±1.27%和63.55±3.17%;脂肪含量分别为2.52±0.14%和3.21±0.19%;蛋白含量分别为11.02±1.21%和22.30±1.18%;灰分含量分别为5.77±0.14%和5.98±0.11%。子实体矿质元素含量普遍高于其菌丝体,Mg元素除外;必须氨基酸,菌丝体含量(7.08±0.15)g/100 g高于其子实体(2.55±0.24)g/100 g。子实体多糖含量(23.22±1.60)mg/g低于其菌丝体(35.51±1.78)mg/g,多酚含量(6.85±0.41)mg/g高于其菌丝体(3.66±0.29)mg/g。比较珊瑚菌多糖、多酚体外抗氧化活性强弱依次为子实体多酚菌丝体多酚菌丝体多糖子实体多糖。研究表明对于珊瑚菌菌丝体多糖,有望代替子实体应用于食药产品,而菌丝体多酚仍有待进一步开发利用。     

Physicochemical and Enzymatic Properties of Five Kiwifruit Cultivars during Cold Storage

Samples of Abbot, Alison, Bruno, Monty, and Hayward cultivars of kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) were obtained from the Iran Research Center of Citrus (Tonekabon, located in north of Iran) and their physicochemical properties were studied during cold storage (at T = 1 ± 1 °C, RH = 80 ± 5%) at 0-, 9-, and 18-week intervals. The mean chemical composition of the fruits were as follows: ash = 0.66–0.96%, moisture = 75.2–84.7%, starch = 0.3–7.0%, and ascorbic acid = 54.8–261.0; K = 125.0–372.0 mg 100 g⁻¹ fresh weight, Mg = 18.0–32.0 mg 100 g⁻¹ fresh weight, Na = 1.4–3.1 mg 100 g⁻¹ fresh weight, Fe = 0.17–0.52 mg 100 g⁻¹ fresh weight, Cu = 0.04–0.24 mg 100 g⁻¹ fresh weight, Zn = 0.16–0.49 mg 100 g⁻¹ fresh weight, Mn = 0.04–0.10 mg 100 g⁻¹ fresh weight, and P = 25.2–49.3 mg 100 g⁻¹ fresh weight; glucose = 0.7–2.39%, fructose = 1.20–3.13%, and sucrose = 0.0–5.8%. At the same time, the values of the parameters °Brix = 6.5–14.8% and acidity = 1.8–2.5% of the studied cultivars (mutual effects of cultivar and storage time) were investigated. The increase in peroxidase (POX = 0.0–6.65 U ml⁻¹) and the decrease in pectinesterase (PE; poor activity to 0) activities were also determined. The statistical analysis showed that the Bruno cultivar had the highest content of ascorbic acid (115.0–261.0 mg 100 g⁻¹ fresh weight), which is an important compound in fruits during storage, while Hayward had the best overall quality particularly with regards to its resistance to softening. This study confirms that long-term cold storage at 1 ± 1 °C and 80 ± 5% RH is suitable for maintaining the highest quality of Iranian grown cultivars of kiwifruit.     

A comparative study of phenolic compounds and antioxidant and antiproliferative activities in frequently consumed raw vegetables

The aim of this study was to assess the antioxidant value and antiproliferative activity of some vegetables such as raw garlic (Allium sativum L), white and yellow, and red onions (Allium cepa L), red and green peppers (Capsicum annuum L.), and white cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. alba), which were harvested in the same year and in the same geographical and climatic conditions. It was found that the highest content of some bioactive compounds (25.19 ± 2.2 mg GAE/g, 3.84 ± 0.3 mg CE/g, 4.88 ± 0.3 mg CE/g, 59.20 ± 0.8 μg CE/g, 1992 ± 99.8 μg AA/g, 452.7 ± 26.1 mg CGE/kg DW for polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, flavanols, ascorbic acid, and anthocyanins, respectively) and the antioxidant activity (41.32 ± 3.9, 31.05 ± 2.7, 59.17 ± 5.2 and 58.94 ± 5.1 μM TE/g for DPPH, FRAP, CUPRAC and ABTS, respectively) was in red onion. Methanol extracts in concentration of 1,000 μg ml⁻¹ of garlic and red onion exhibited antiproliferative activity (83.1 ± 2.1 and 85.0 ± 3.2% of viability, respectively). In spite of relatively high antioxidant activity in methanol extracts of yellow onion, red and green pepper, no antiproliferative activity on both tumor cell lines was registered. In conclusion, among the studied vegetables raw red onion was the preferable. The interrelationship was in the following order: red onion > white onion = yellow onion > red pepper > garlic = green pepper > white cabbage. The antiproliferative activities of these vegetables were different: some samples reacted only on Calu-6 and the others—on SNU-601. Thus, vegetables from the same cultivation place were examined for their antioxidant and antiproliferative activities with four different methods. Based on obtained data a direct comparison between these vegetables was possible for the first time.     

Analysis of phenolic compounds and isoflavones in soybean seeds (Glycine max (L.) Merill) and sprouts grown under different conditions

Soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merill) are popularly known as a healthy food in many Asian countries and are mostly consumed as soymilk, tofu, and fermented products such as miso, temph, and sufu. The objective of this study was to determine the variation and composition of phenolic compounds and isoflavone contents in soybean seeds [Glycine max (L.) Merill] and sprouts [Kongnamul] grown under dark conditions (producing yellow soybean sprouts) and in green and yellow boxes (producing green soybean sprouts). In seven soybean cultivars, the total phenolic content ranged from 6.67 μg⁻¹ in Pureunkong to 72.33 μg⁻¹ in Poongsannamulkong. The average total phenolic content in the green soybean sprouts (48.33 μg⁻¹) was higher than in the yellow soybean sprouts (29.75 μg⁻¹). The total phenolic content in the yellow soybean sprouts varied from 9.88 μg⁻¹ to 47.71 μg⁻¹, and the total phenolic content in the green soybean sprouts varied from 29.21 μg⁻¹ to 79.70 μg⁻¹. Only four phenolic compounds, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, salicylic acid, p-coumaric acid, and ferulic acid, were detected in all soybean cultivars. Syringic acid was not detected in yellow soybean sprouts, and myricetin was only detected in yellow soybean sprouts (4.65 μg⁻¹) from the Pureunkong cultivar grown under dark conditions. The total isoflavone content in soybean seeds ranged from 2.1 μg⁻¹ in Sowonkong to 33.0 μg⁻¹ in Pureunkong, and the mean total isoflavones was 10.61 μg⁻¹. Green soybean sprouts had higher average total isoflavones (1389.4 μg⁻¹) than yellow soybean sprouts (559.2 μg⁻¹), and the total isoflavone content was highest in the Pureunkong yellow soybean sprouts (756.3 μg⁻¹) and the Sowonkong green soybean sprouts (2791.6 μg⁻¹). In soybean sprouts, the higher the (malonyl)-daidzin or (malonyl)-genistein content, the higher the total isoflavone level. Our study suggests that producing soybean sprouts enriched in isoflavones under coloured-light sources is feasible.