树莓叶茶和嫩尖茶抗氧化活性成分研究

目的 研究树莓叶茶和嫩尖茶的抗氧化活性成分。方法 对树莓叶茶和嫩尖茶的鞣花酸、黄酮和多酚含量进行了测定, 并与绿茶炒青进行了比较, 在此基础上考察了不同种类茶叶对DPPH和ABTS自由基的清除能力。结果 树莓叶茶和嫩尖茶的鞣花酸含量较为丰富, 最高达26.75 mg/g, 是特级炒青6.8倍, 黄酮含量也较绿茶炒青高, 达18~22 mg/g; 树莓嫩尖茶的多酚含量同炒青接近, 均超过180 mg/g, 两者的抗氧化活性均较强, 而树莓叶茶的总多酚含量较低, 仅为绿茶和树莓嫩尖茶36%~39%, 抗氧化活性较弱。相关性分析发现茶叶样品的抗氧化活性与多酚含量呈极显著正相关。结论 树莓叶茶抗氧化性较弱, 而嫩尖茶具有较强的抗氧化活性, 可以加以推广。     

Relation between bioactive compounds and free radical‐scavenging capacity in berry fruits during frozen storage

In this work the correlation between the free radical‐scavenging capacity and bioactive compounds (anthocyanins, ellagic acid, total phenolics and vitamin C) in four Spanish raspberry cultivars (Heritage, Autumn Bliss, Zeva and Rubi) and Spanish wild blackberry as affected by freezing and frozen storage was evaluated. From this mathematical study a significant correlation was obtained between the radical‐scavenging capacity and the anthocyanin and total phenolic contents in both raspberry (r = 0.85 and 0.83 respectively) and blackberry (r = 0.84 and 0.68 respectively) fruits, but no correlation was found between this parameter and the ellagic acid and vitamin C contents. A key objective of this study was to select the raspberry cultivar most suitable for freezing preservation in terms of the stability of its health‐promoting constituents. A two‐dimensional principal component analysis (PCA) of the raspberry cultivars explained 82% of the total variance of the factors mentioned above. The early raspberry cultivars (Heritage and Autumn Bliss) showed a lower content of bioactive compounds and lower radical‐scavenging capacity, while the late cultivars (Zeva and Rubi) showed higher values, and these differences were clearly displayed by the PCA. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Comparison of antioxidant activities and bioactive compounds between Bokbunja (Rubus coreanus Miq.) and other berries

The physicochemical properties and antioxidant properties of bokbunja, a Korean black raspberry, were clarified and compared with blueberry, cranberry, raspberry, and strawberry. The amount of soluble solids was significantly (p<0.05) lower in bokbunja than in other berries, whereas the pH of bokbunja was significantly (p<0.05) higher. Analysis of the total phenolic, flavonoid, and anthocyanin contents found that bokbunja had the highest, while the others were ranked in the order of raspberry>blueberry>cranberry>strawberry. The content of ellagic acid (147.3 mg/100 g of FW) also was highest in bokbunja. The antioxidant activities of bokbunja, assessed based on DPPH, ABTS, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, were higher than for other berries. Bokbunja is a healthier antioxidant source than other berries.     

6 种东北地区红树莓果渣提取物的抗氧化活性差异

以东北地区6 种红树莓果实加工后的果渣提取物为实验材料,研究其总酚、总黄酮、原花青素、花色苷含量和体外抗氧化活性的差异。结果表明：宝石红果渣提取物中总酚、总黄酮和原花青素含量最高,分别为14.18、3.71、15.28 mg/g;哈瑞太兹果渣提取物中花色苷含量最高,为0.68 mg/g;菲尔杜德和野生果果渣提取物的总还原能力与VC接近;除哈瑞太兹外,其他品种红树莓果渣提取物对（1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼（1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl,DPPH）自由基和2,2’-二氮-双（3-乙基苯并噻唑-6-磺酸）二铵盐自由基（2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical,ABTS+·）的清除率均大于VC。相关性分析结果表明红树莓果渣提取物的总还原能力与总黄酮、原花青素含量的相关性较大;对DPPH自由基的清除率与原花青素、花色苷含量的相关性较大;而对ABTS＋·的清除率与总酚和总黄酮含量的相关性较大。在6 个红树莓品种中,菲尔杜德和野生果果渣提取物具有较强的抗氧化活性。     

Antioxidative activities of grape (Vitis vinifera) seed extracts obtained from different varieties grown in Turkey

In this study, total phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of grape seed extracts obtained from twelve different grape seeds from common varieties grown in Turkey were determined. Grape seeds were extracted with 70% acetone and extraction yield of grape seed were calculated. The total phenolic content of grape seed extracts were determined by the Folin‐Ciocalteu procedure and ranged from 33 945 to 58 730 mg per 100 g extract as gallic acid equivalent. Antioxidant activities of grape seed extracts with two different free radical scavenging methods, ABTS [2,2/‐azinobis (3‐ethylbenzothiazoneline‐6‐sulfonic acid)] and DPPH (2,2‐diphenyl‐picrylhydrazyl) assays, using Trolox equivalent as standards, were investigated. Grape seed extracts exhibited antioxidant activities 2.46–4.14 and 3.55–5.76 [Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacities (TEAC) mg^?1 extracts] in ABTS and DPPH assays, respectively. Compared with varieties, Muskule extracts exhibited the lowest total phenolic content, TEAC_ABTS and TEAC_DPPH value while Narince extracts had the highest total phenolic content and TEAC_DPPH value, and Alphonse Lavalleé had the highest TEAC_ABTS value. Total phenolic content showed that there is a significant correlation with TEAC_DPPH (r = 0.7974, P ≤ 0.001) and TEAC_ABTS values (r = 0.4860, P ≤ 0.05).     

A comprehensive study of polyphenols contents and antioxidant potential of 39 widely used spices and food condiments

Spices and condiments are rich sources of potent antioxidants. In the present investigation, total equivalent antioxidant capacities (TEAC) of 39 spices were studied using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) scavenging, and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) assays. Their total phenolic contents (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC) were also determined. TEAC, TPC, and TFC varied significantly (P?<?0.05) among these spices. ABTS, DPPH, and CUPRAC assay values of studied spices ranged from 1.42 to 112.94 mg ascorbic acid equivalents (AAE)/g, 1.14 to 91.09 mg Trolox equivalents (TE)/g, and 0.52 to 54.47 mg TE/g, respectively (dry weight basis; DW). Based on Folin–Ciocalteu assay, TPC ranged from 2.93 to 160.55 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g DW. Strong correlations between TPC and TEAC values (R?=?0.966, 0.825, and 0.954 for ABTS, DPPH, and CUPRAC, respectively) were found. This indicates that phenolic compounds are potent antioxidants in these spices. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that cloves (flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum) had the most distinct and potent antioxidant capacity, followed by allspice (fruits of Pimenta dioica) and cinnamon (bark of Cinnamomum verum). Results of the present study provide adequate evidence that polyphenols are responsible for their compelling antioxidant capacities of studied spices. Thus, consumption of antioxidant-rich spices such as cloves, allspice, and cinnamon can significantly prevent oxidative stress in the human body.     

Preharvest application of methyl jasmonate increases fruit quality and antioxidant capacity in raspberries

The effects of preharvest methyl jasmonate (MJ) application on fruit quality, flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity in black raspberry cv. Jewel (Rubus occidentalis L) and red raspberry cv. Autumn Bliss (Rubus idaeus subsp.) were studied under field condition. Raspberries treated with MJ had higher soluble solids content, total sugars, fructose, glucose, sucrose and lower titratable acids (TAs), malic acid and citric acid than untreated fruit. MJ also significantly enhanced the content of flavonoids and the antioxidant capacities in the fruit. The cv. Jewel had higher soluble solids and lower TAs compared with the cv. Autumn Bliss. On the basis of fresh weight of fruit, ‘Jewel’ also had significantly higher anthocyanin, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity than ‘Autumn Bliss’.     

Phenolic Profiles,Antioxidant Activities,and Neuroprotective Properties of Mulberry (Morus atropurpurea Roxb.) Fruit Extracts from Different Ripening Stages

The present work investigated the phenolic profiles (including nonanthocyanin and anthocyanin phenolics), antioxidant activities, and neuroprotective potential of mulberry fruit (MF) (Morus atropurpurea Roxb.) grown in China at different ripening stages. High‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry method (HPLC‐MS/MS) was used to identify and quantify the phenolic compounds. The antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total monomeric anthocyanin content (TAC) were determined using spectrophotometric methods. The neuroprotective effects of MFs at different ripening stages were investigated using Aβ_25‐35‐treated PC12 cells as the cellular model of Alzheimer's disease. Of the 19 phenolic compounds characterized from the MF extracts, the contents of rutin and anthocyanins increased and that of chlorogenic acid decreased significantly with maturity. At the fully ripened stage, MF extracts showed the highest amounts of TPC (11.23 mg gallic acid equivalents/g fresh weight), TFC (15.1 mg rutin equivalents/g fresh weight), and TAC (1177 mg cyanidin 3‐O‐glucoside equivalents/100 g fresh weight). Meanwhile, antioxidant activity of MF extracts at this stage was highest according to ABTS (an IC50 value of 4.11 μg/mL) and DPPH (an IC50 value of 10.08 μg/mL) assays. Cellular assays revealed increased cell viability in cells treated with the ripe MF extracts; compared with the control groups, the ripening fruits also increased the antioxidant enzyme levels in PC12 cells. Together, these results suggest that the antioxidant activities and neuroprotective properties of ripening MFs are related to the contents and types of phenolic compounds that are present in the fruits.     

不同种质鱼腥草总酚、黄酮含量及其抗氧化活性

目的：提取并测定16份鱼腥草材料(含1份峨眉蕺菜)叶片总酚和黄酮含量,研究其体外抗氧化活性。方法：以95%乙醇超声提取并测定16份综合农艺性状较好的鱼腥草材料以显色及紫外分光光度测定成分含量,DPPH、ABTS法测定抗氧化活性。结果：16份鱼腥草总酚含量变异范围为7.01～15.0mg/g;黄酮含量变异范围为3.56～11.0mg/g;DPPH法抗氧化值最小为84.7μmol/g,最大为248μmol/g;而ABTS法抗氧化能力的变幅为 78.4～218μmol/g。以总酚和黄酮含量、DPPH法以及ABTS法抗氧化能力进行聚类分析,按欧氏距离大于70可将16份鱼腥草材料分为两类。其中Ⅰ类包含11份鱼腥草材料(含峨眉蕺菜),其总酚和黄酮含量低,抗氧化能力弱。Ⅱ类包含5份鱼腥草材料,其总酚和黄酮含量高,体外抗氧化能力强。总酚、黄酮含量和体外抗氧化活性指标间相关性均达极显著水平。结论：16份鱼腥草材料总酚、黄酮含量和抗氧化活性的不同,主要是由于遗传背景所致;且总酚和黄酮含量高,体外抗氧化能力强的材料多为染色体数目大于80者。     

Does u.v. light affect the total phenolic compound,anthocyanin, antioxidant capacity,and sensory profiles in wines?

In the study, by applying ultraviolet (u.v.) lights (254 nm) for 45 min to red wines from fermented Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot (Vitis vinifera L.) grapes, we examined the total phenolic compound, total anthocyanin, and antioxidant capacity by four different methods, trans-resveratrol, (+)-catechin, gallic acid content, and the change in tasting profiles of the wines after application. According to the results of the research, the u.v.-C application has caused an increase in all parameters examined. If we talk about averages without distinguishing between varieties, after the application the total phenolic compound content of 3206 increased to 3356 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per L and after u.v.-C application, the total anthocyanin content increased from 411 to 780 mg L⁻¹, the ABTS [2,2′-azinobis(3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)] value increased from 30 to 33 μmol trolox mL⁻¹, the DPPH ((2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) level increased from 13 to 16 μmol trolox mL⁻¹, the FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) level increased from 15 to 16 μmol trolox mL⁻¹, and the CUPRAC (cupric reducing antioxidant capacity) level increased from 40 to 45 μmol trolox mL⁻¹. The u.v. application affected trans-resveratrol the most among the phenolic compounds and an average increase of 12.99% was obtained. The rate of increase after u.v. application was 3.33% in (+)-catechin and 5.57% in gallic acid. The highest correlation between antioxidant activity measurement methods was measured to be 0.998 between FRAP and DPPH. In addition, u.v.-C application has had a positive effect on taste-based sensory profiles. In recent years, the search for a diet with a high antioxidant content has become even more important.     

东北6 种红树莓叶酚类化合物的鉴定及抗氧化活性分析

以东北地区6 种不同品种的红树莓营养叶片为原料,采用分光光度法测定总酚、总黄酮和原花青素含量;使用3 种方法评价体外抗氧化活性并分析抗氧化活性与总酚、总黄酮和原花青素含量的相关性;采用超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法鉴定多酚类物质。结果表明,6 种红树莓叶片总酚含量高于总黄酮与原花青素含量。欧洲红的总酚与总黄酮含量最高,分别为（5.56±0.06）mg/g和（3.77±0.06）mg/g;哈瑞泰兹的原花青素含量最高为（3.06±0.04）mg/g。3 种抗氧化能力评价方法中,红树莓叶提取物对2,2’-联氮-双-(3-乙基苯并噻唑啉-6-磺酸二铵盐)（2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate),ABTS）阳离子自由基清除能力与1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼（1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl,DPPH）自由基清除能力具有极显著正相关性,相关系数为0.992;红树莓叶提取物中总酚含量和对ABTS阳离子自由基清除能力与对DPPH自由基清除能力的相关性显著,相关系数分别为0.886和0.891。超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法检出红树莓叶提取物中的13 种多酚类物质,其中有6 种酚酸和7 种类黄酮,主要酚酸为鞣花酸、绿原酸、没食子酸等;主要类黄酮为芦丁、儿茶素、表儿茶素、金丝桃苷等。     

Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Activity of Moscatel Dessert Wines from the Setúbal Region in Portugal

Moscatel wines from Setúbal were analyzed for their total phenolic (mean value 1,243 mg gallic acid equivalents/L), and total flavonoid (mean value 248 mg catechin/L) composition by spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods were used to quantify phenolic compounds as benzoic acids, cinnamic acids, stilbens, and some flavonoids. Antioxidant activity of the wines was evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH; mean value 70.7% inhibition), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP; mean value 3,098 mg of Trolox equivalents/L) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC; mean value 10,724 μmol/L) assays. Results were analyzed using principal component analysis which allowed samples to be grouped in terms of both winemaking producer and vintage. By plotting correlation loadings, it was possible to understand which variables were responsible for sample distribution. The correlation between results obtained for variables show that, in general, total flavonoid content is a better estimation of antioxidant activity in Moscatel samples (r _{ORAC/flavonoids} = 0.832, r _{FRAP/flavonoids} = 0.677) than total phenolic content (r _{ORAC/phenolics} = 0.680, r _{FRAP/phenolics} = 0.372). No major correlations were detected for DPPH assay results (r _{DPPH/flavonoids} = 0.283, r _{DPPH/phenolics} = 0.271). Chromatographic profiles showed important differences among Moscatel wines. Gallic acid contents and results of antioxidant activity tests were strongly correlated (r values in the range 0.74–0.92). Correlations of the results obtained for antioxidant activity tests with contents of other phenolic compounds such as ethyl caffeate, ethyl gallate, caffeic acid, protocatechuic acid, and t-caftaric acid depend on sample and type of test employed. Presented at the “AOAC Europe section international workshop: Enforcement of European Legislation on Food and Water: Analytical and Toxicological Aspects”, in Lisbon, April 2008, and published in abstract form.     

Evaluation of antioxidant activity of olive leaf extract obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction and their antimicrobial activity against bacterial pathogens from food

The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the phenolic content and antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of olive leaf extracts obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and conventional extraction (CSE). UAE of olive leaf extracts yielded a higher total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of 14.31% and 19.50%, respectively. Higher antioxidant activities were found from the extracts prepared with UAE (for 18.5%, 12.5%, 10.9% and 17.6% higher determined by DPPH, ABTS, FRAP and CUPRAC methods, respectively). Good antibacterial inhibitory activity (as MIC and MBC) was observed against both Y. enterocolitica and S. aureus (1.40 ± 0.40 mg mL⁻¹ and 4.00 ± 1.60 mg mL⁻¹, respectively) with the extract prepared with UAE. In conclusion, olive leaf extracts prepared with UAE exhibited higher antioxidant and antimicrobial activities against common food-borne pathogens than CSE extracts and thus could be beneficial in ensuring food quality and food safety.     

Phytochemical properties and antioxidant capacities of commercial raspberry varieties

The antioxidant capacities of 15 commercial raspberry varieties grown in North China were evaluated and their anthocyanin profiles determined by LC–ESI-MS. Total polyphenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total anthocyanin content (TAC) and antioxidant capacities (AOC) of the 15 raspberries were measured, respectively and the results showed that the TPC, TFC and TAC contents of raspberries correlated well with their antioxidant capacities. Raspberries with higher contents of phytochemicals showed higher antioxidant capacity. The results indicated that the 15 raspberry varieties may be divided into three groups according to their anthocyanin component analysis. The first group was made up of Triple Crown, Shawnee, and Navaho varieties with identical anthocyanin profiles and dark red color. The second group included Canby, Bristol and Mac black varieties, which possessed higher TAC/TPC ratio and contribute more to antioxidant capacity and the rest of the varieties were in the third group with lower antioxidant capacities. The higher phytochemical contents and antioxidant activities of raspberry varieties in the second group indicated that their consumption would be more beneficial to health.     

Antioxidant Activities and Phenolic Compounds of Several Tissues of Pawpaw (Asimina triloba [L.] Dunal) Grown in Korea

Pawpaw (Asimina triloba [L.] Dunal) possesses antioxidant compounds and strong inhibitors of cancer cells, and is widely cultivated in North America, Canada, and Korea. We analyzed the total phenolic and total flavonoid contents (TPC and TFC, respectively) of pawpaw plants grown in Korea and the antioxidant activities of their roots, twigs, leaves, and fruit with respect to 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picryl‐hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, 2,2′‐azino‐bis diammonium salt (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, ferrous (Fe²⁺) chelating ability, and nitrite scavenging activity. Pearson's correlation analyses revealed a linear correlation between TPC and antioxidant activities (r² >0.69). Root methanol extracts had higher TPC and antioxidant activities than other extracts, which was also consistent with those from the phenolic compounds found in those extracts. Therefore, antioxidant activities seem to depend on the TPC of each pawpaw tissue and pawpaw roots might be useful as a natural source of natural antioxidants.     

Correlation between Antimicrobial,Antioxidant Activity,and Polyphenols of Alkalized/Nonalkalized Cocoa Powders

Many factors can influence antioxidative and antimicrobial characteristics of plant materials. The quality of cocoa as functional food ingredient is influenced through its processing. The main aim of this study was to test if there is difference in polyphenol content, antioxidant capacity, and antimicrobial activity between nonalkalized and alkalized cocoa powders. To estimate polyphenol and flavonoid content in cocoa samples the spectrophotometric microassays were used. Flavan‐3ols were determined with reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC). Antimicrobial activity against 3 Gram positive bacteria, 4 Gram negative bacteria and 1 strain of yeast was determined using broth microdilution method. Total polyphenol content was 1.8 times lower in alkalized cocoa samples than in natural ones. Epicatechin/catechin ratio was changed due to the process of alkalization in favor of catechin (2.21 in natural and 1.45 in alkalized cocoa powders). Combined results of 3 antioxidative tests (DPPH, FRAP, ABTS) were used for calculation of RACI (Relative Antioxidant Capacity Index) and GAS (Global Antioxidant Score) values that were consistently higher in natural than in alkalized cocoa extracts. Obtained results have shown significant correlations between these values and phenolic content (0.929 ≤ r ≤ 0.957, P < 0.01). Antimicrobial activity varied from 5.0 to 25.0 mg/ml (MICs), while Candida albicans was the most sensitive tested microorganism. Cocoa powders subjected to alkalization had significantly reduced content of total and specific phenolic compounds and reduced antioxidant capacity (P < 0.05), but their antimicrobial activity was equal for Gram‐positive bacteria or even significantly enhanced for Gram‐negative bacteria.     

Changes in the phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of citrus peels from different cultivars after in vitro digestion

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of in vitro digestion on the phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of citrus peels. Three different varieties of citrus peels (mandarin, ponkan and red tangerine) were treated with simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF). The results showed that the SGF or SIF treatments of the citrus peels did not significantly increase the total phenolic content (TPC) or total flavonoid content (TFC), except for that of the TFC of ponkan peel treated with SGF. However, simulated in vitro digestion did improve the antioxidant activities measured with FRAP and ABTS methods. The effect of SGF was more positive than those of SIF for the FRAP assay, but the opposite was true for ABTS. Notably, both simulated digestion techniques decreased the DPPH free radical scavenging abilities. Simulated digestion in vitro changed the antioxidant activities of the citrus peels.     

不同豇豆中酚类含量与抗氧化活性

为深入了解豇豆的营养价值,以11个不同品种的豇豆样品为原料,对其总酚含量、总黄酮含量及抗氧化活性(总还原能力、1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼(1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl,DPPH)自由基清除能力、·OH清除能力)进行分析,并讨论酚类物质含量及抗氧化活性的相关性。结果表明,不同品种的豇豆酚类物质含量和抗氧化活性差异显著。在测定的样品中,新杂1号表现出最高的总酚含量(5.59 mg GAE/g)、总黄酮含量(4.12 mg CAE/g)及抗氧化活性(总还原能力和DPPH自由基清除能力);豇豆中总酚含量、总黄酮含量与总还原能力、DPPH自由基清除能力之间有极显著相关性(P0.01),与·OH清除能力之间没有显著相关性。     

Antioxidant activities of red pepper (Capsicum annuum) pericarp and seed extracts

In this study, we examined the antioxidant activities of red pepper (Capsicum annuum, L.) pericarp and red pepper seed extracts. The extracts were evaluated by various antioxidant assays, including 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging, [2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzthiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid)] (ABTS) radical scavenging, ferrous chelating activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and reducing power, along with the determination of total phenolic and flavonoid contents. All the extracts showed strong antioxidant activity by the testing methods. The red pepper pericarp extract exhibited strong ferrous chelating activity and high scavenging activity against free radicals, including both the hydroxyl and DPPH radicals, but it exhibited weaker scavenging activity for the superoxide anion radical and for SOD. In contrast, the red pepper seed extract exhibited strong SOD activity and high scavenging activity against the superoxide anion radical, but showed weaker ferrous chelating activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging, and DPPH radical scavenging. We observed that the reducing power level and ABTS radical scavenging activity of the red pepper seed were higher than those of the red pepper pericarp at the highest tested concentration. Most of the test results for the red pepper seed and red pepper pericarp extracts increased markedly with increasing concentration; however, the metal chelating, SOD and ABTS radical scavenging activities did not increase with the concentration. Highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents were obtained from the red pepper pericarp extracts. Overall, the red pepper seed and red pepper pericarp extracts were highly effective for the antioxidant properties assayed, with the exceptions of ferrous chelating activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging and SOD activity.     

Phenolic compound composition and antioxidant activity of fruits of Rubus and Prunus species from Croatia

Two fraction, one containing flavonols, flavan-3-ols, phenolic acids and the other containing anthocyanins, were isolated from Rubus (red raspberry, blackberry) and Prunus (sweet cherry, sour cherry) fruits to study their phenol content by HPLC and antioxidant activity using the DPPH test. Raspberries and blackberries were characterised by catechins and ellagic acid derivatives; sour and sweet cherries by phenolic acids. All fruits had relatively high anthocyanin content. Anthocyanins contributed more to the antioxidant activity of all fruits (∼90%) than flavonols, flavan-3-ols and phenolic acids (∼10%). A biphasic reaction was observed between DPPH^• radicals and phenols, with 'fast' and 'slow' scavenging rates which might be important in the biological activity of these fruits. Sour cherries and blackberries which stand out with the highest total phenol content (1416 and 1040 mg kg⁻¹) had also the strongest antioxidant activity (EC₅₀ = 807 and 672 g of fruit per gram of DPPH) and can be considered as good source of dietary phenols.