Optimising the free radical scavenging activity of shrimp protein hydrolysate produced with alcalase using response surface methodology

Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimise the hydrolysis parameters of Acetes chinensis by Alcalase 2.4L in order to obtain a hydrolysate with potent radical scavenging activity. The parameters were temperature, pH and enzyme concentration/substrate concentration (E/S) ratio with degree of hydrolysis (DH) being the response. The results showed that the optimum condition was: temperature at 57 °C, pH at 8.0, E/S ratio at 2.6AU 100 g⁻¹ shrimp, hydrolysis time 3 h. The DH was 26.32%, the hydroxyl radical scavenging activity was up to 88.12% and the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity was 35.61%. The gel column filtration chromatography by a Sephadex G-25 column yielded five fractions. The molecular weight of the most potent free radical scavenging activity fraction ranged from 915 to 207 Da, its IC₅₀ for hydroxyl radical was 0.03 mg mL⁻¹, and IC₅₀ for DPPH radical was 8.86 mg mL⁻¹.     

An evaluation of extracts of five traditional medicinal plants from Iran on the inhibition of mushroom tyrosinase activity and scavenging of free radicals

This study aimed to evaluate the free radical scavenging and inhibition properties of five medicinal plants, including Quercus infectoria Olive., Terminalia chebula Retz. , Lavendula stoechas L., Mentha longifolia L., Rheum palmatum L., toward the activity of mushroom tyrosinase using l -tyrosine and l -3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine ( l -DOPA) as the substrate. The methanol extracts of Q. infectoria and T. chebula showed strong radical scavenging effect in 2,2'-dipheny l -1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay (IC₅₀ = 15.3 and 82.2 μg mL⁻¹ respectively). These plants also showed inhibitory effects against the activity of mushroom tyrosinase in hydroxylation of l -tyrosine (85.9% and 82.2% inhibition, respectively). These two plants also inhibited the oxidation of l -DOPA similar to kojic acid as positive control (IC₅₀ = 102.8 and 192.6 μg mL⁻¹ respectively). In general Q. infectoria and T. chebula significantly inhibited tyrosinase activity and DPPH radical. Both activities were concentration-dependant but not in linear manner. It is needed to study the cytotoxicity of these plant extracts in pigment cell culture before further evaluation and moving to in vivo conditions.     

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.     

Antioxidant and toxicity tests of roasted noni (Morinda citrifolia) leaf infusion

The antioxidant properties and toxicity profile of roasted noni ( Morinda citrifolia L . ) leaf infusion were evaluated. The 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity was greater than green tea infusion (81.6 ± 0.9% vs. 57.5 ± 1.8%, P  < 0.001). The mean quercetin and kaempferol contents of roasted noni leaf infusion, as prepared by the consumer, were 0.24 ± 0.01 and 0.14 ± 0.01 μg mL⁻¹, respectively. Tannic acid content was 10 ± 1 μg mL⁻¹. The infusion was non-mutagenic in the reverse mutation test in Salmonella typhimurium and did not induce primary DNA damage in E. coli PQ37. Further, no significant primary DNA damage was induced by 5,15-dimethylmorindol, which was the only detectable anthraquinone in noni leaves. The infusion was not cytotoxic in the 24 h brine shrimp toxicity test (LC₅₀ > 1 mg mL⁻¹), nor was there any evidence of acute oral toxicity from the freeze–dried infusion in Sprague–Dawley rats (LD₅₀ > 2000 mg kg⁻¹ b.w.).     

Natural preservative ingredient from marine alga Ulva lactuca L.

The contents of total chlorophyll (T-Chl), carotenoids and phenolics compounds were quantified in the biomasses of Ulva lactuca grown either in normal or artificial sea water under indoor conditions. The antioxidant and antibacterial activities of U. lactuca crude organic extracts ( Ulva- COEs) were determined. Thirty-four compounds in Ulva- COEs were characterised by thin layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. The major compounds were chlorophyll a (Chl a ) (15.60–30.90%) and b (Chl b ) (12.20–14.89%) , 9-cis β-carotene (13.12–14.47%), α-carotene (11.44–11.47%) and all-trans β-carotene (6.16–29.70%, of total carotenoids).The Ulva- COEs exhibited remarkable antioxidant activity, with an IC₅₀ (concentration which causes a 50% of DPPH radical scavenging activity) values ranged from 16.5 and 18.7 μg mL⁻¹, which could be compared with the synthetic antioxidants: α-tocopherol (14.4 μg mL⁻¹), butylated hydroxyanisol (13.1 μg mL⁻¹) and butylated hydroxyltoluene (13.1 μg mL⁻¹). Also, Ulva- COEs exhibited great potential antibacterial activities against six bacterial strains, with minimal inhibitory concentration values ranged from 0.40 to 0.35 mg mL⁻¹.     

Biological activity and composition of extract from aerial root of Ficus microcarpa L. fil.

Total phenolic content, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Ficus microcarpa aerial roots were determined on methanol extract and its sub-fractions (hexane, ethyl acetate, n -butanol and water). The ethyl acetate fraction possessed the highest amount of phenolic compounds evaluated by Folin-Ciocalteu reagent method. It also showed the highest antioxidant activity when tested the following methods: DPPH, ABTS⁺ radical-scavenging, superoxide radical scavenging, reducing power and β -carotene linoleic acid bleaching. On the other hand, high phenolics content extracts (ethyl acetate, methanol and n -butanol) showed significantly higher inhibitory activity than low phenolics content extracts (water and hexane) against five tested Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Protocatechuic acid, catechol, p -vinylguaiacol, syringol, p -propylphenol, vanillin, p -propylguaiacol, isovanillic acid, 4- n -Propylresorcinol, syringaldehyde and oleanolic acid contained in ethyl acetate fraction were identified by GC-MS and HPLC based on their cochromatography with standard compounds. Protocatechuic acid, catechol and syringol exhibited nearly same antioxidant activity as did by positive control Trolox using the mentioned assays. Results here showed that the ethyl acetate fraction has strong antioxidant and antibacterial activities, which are correlated with its high level of phenolic compounds.     

Anti-elastase and anti-hyaluronidase of phenolic substance from Areca catechu as a new anti-ageing agent

Synopsis We have previously screened 150 medicinal plants for the inhibition of elastase and found significant inhibitory effects of the extracts of Areca catechu L. on the ageing and inflammation of skin tissues . To isolate and identify the compounds having biological activity, they were further purified by each fraction of solvents, silica gel column chromatography, preparative TLC and reversed-phase HPLC. The peak in HPLC, which coincided with the inhibitory activity against elastase, was identified as a phenolic substance by using various colorimetric methods, UV and IR. IC₅₀ values of this phenolic substance were 26.9 μg mL⁻¹ for porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) and 60.8 μg mL⁻¹ for human neutrophil elastase (HNE). This phenolic substance showed more potent activity than that of reference compounds, oleanolic acid (76.5 μg mL⁻¹ for PPE, 219.2 μg mL⁻¹ for HNE) and ursolic acid (31.0 μg mL⁻¹ for PPE, 118.6 μg mL⁻¹ for HNE). According to the Lineweaver–Burk plots, the inhibition against both PPE and HNE by this phenolic substance was competitive inhibition with the substrate. The phenolic substance from A. catechu effectively inhibited hyaluronidase activity (IC₅₀ : 210 μg mL⁻¹ ).
These results suggest that the phenolic substance purified from A. catechu has an anti-ageing effect by protecting connective tissue proteins.     

DPPH free-radical scavenging ability, total phenolic content, and chemical composition analysis of forty-five kinds of essential oils

Forty-five kinds of commonly used essential oils were employed to investigate the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging ability and total phenolic content of major chemical compositions. The free-radical scavenging ability and total phenolic content of cinnamon leaf and clove bud essential oils are the best among these essential oils. One-half milliliter of cinnamon leaf and clove bud essential oils (10 mg mL EtOH) are shown to be 96.74% and 96.12% of the DPPH (2.5ml, 1.52 × 10^-4 M) free-radical scavenging ability, respectively. Their EC50 (effective concentrations) are 53 and 36 (μg mL^-1). One milligram per milliliter of cinnamon leaf, clove bud, and thyme red essential oils were shown to be 420, 480, and 270 (mg g^-1 of GAE) of total phenolic content, respectively. Eugenol in cinnamon leaf and clove bud essential oils (82.87% and 82.32%, respectively) were analyzed by GC-MS. It is clear that the amounts of the phenol compounds in essential oils and the DPPH free-radical scavenging ability are in direct proportion.     

Efficacy of extract and essential oil of Lantana indica Roxb. against food contaminating moulds and aflatoxin B1 production

The study investigates the antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic efficacy of Lantana indica against Aspergillus flavus , a key storage fungus. The leaf essential oil of L. indica was found more active than leaf extracts. The oil absolutely inhibited the growth of A. flavus at 1.5 mg mL⁻¹ while ethanolic and chloroform extracts of leaf show MIC at 7.5 and 10.0 mg mL⁻¹ concentrations respectively. The oil also showed pronounced antiaflatoxigenic efficacy and completely inhibited the aflatoxin B₁ production at 0.75 mg mL⁻¹. The ethanolic and chloroformic extracts inhibited the aflatoxin B₁ production at 5.0 and 7.5 mg mL⁻¹, respectively while other extracts exhibited poor efficacy. The L. indica essential oil exhibited broad fungitoxic spectrum against twelve different storage moulds. The present findings may recommend the L. indica essential oil and its bioactive leaf extracts as natural preservative would of immense significance in view of the environmental and toxicological implications by indiscriminate use of synthetic pesticides .     

Antioxidant Properties of Edible Basidiomycete Phellinus igniarius in Submerged Cultures

ABSTRACT:  Dried mycelia and mycelia-free broths produced by submerged cultures of  Phellinus igniarius  under optimal culture conditions were extracted using methanol and hot water and investigated for antioxidant properties. Methanolic extracts from dried mycelia (MEM) and mycelia-free broth (MEB) showed significant antioxidant properties for all EC₅₀ values less than 10 mg/mL except for MEB in scavenging effects on DPPH radicals. Hot water extracts from dried mycelia (HWEM) were evidenced by their low EC₅₀ values (<10 mg/mL) to be effective in reducing power, chelating effect on ferrous ions, and scavenging effect on superoxide anions. α-tocopherol was mainly found in MEM and γ-tocopherol in MEB. Ascorbic acid and total flavonoids were abundant in methanolic extracts (MEM + MEB), whereas total phenols were rich in HWEM. An excellent correlation between contents of total phenols and EC₅₀ values was accomplished for antioxidant activity ( R ²= 0.996) and chelating ferrous ions ability ( R ²= 0.922).
Practical Application: In our paper, the products by submerged culture of  Phellinus igniarius  exhibited powerful antioxidant properties. Results told that extracts from fermenting products by  P. igniarius  might be good sources for antioxidant-related functional foods and pharmaceutical industries.     

覆盆子不同极性溶剂提取物的抗氧化活性比较

为比较覆盆子不同极性溶剂提取物的抗氧化活性,分别用正丁醇、乙酸乙酯、丙酮、去离子水、50％乙醇和石油醚进行萃取,测定各提取物总多酚和总黄酮的含量,并通过清除DPPH自由基、ABTS自由基、羟基自由基和总还原能力4种体系对其体外抗氧化活性进行评价.结果显示,乙酸乙酯提取物中总多酚含量最高,50％乙醇提取物中总黄酮含量最高...     

Antioxidant activity of the extracts from Dillenia indica fruits

There has been growing interest in the beneficial health effects of consuming fruits and vegetables. Mainly, the presence of phenolic antioxidants is believed to have the protective mechanisms. In the present study the fruit of Dillenia indica was extracted with ethyl acetate, methanol and water. The total phenolic content of the extracts was determined by Folin–Ciocalteu method and antioxidant activity of the extracts was assayed through some in vitro models such as antioxidant capacity by phosphomolybdenum method, β-carotene-linoleate model system, and radical scavenging activity using ,-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. The total phenolic contents of the fruit extracts as tannic acid equivalents were found to be highest in methanol extract (34.1%) followed by ethyl acetate extract (9.3%) and water extract (1.4%). Antioxidant capacity of the extracts as equivalent to ascorbic acid (μmole/g of the extract) was in the order of methanol extract > ethyl acetate extract > water extract. In comparison with butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), at 100 ppm of concentration, the antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of the extracts assayed through β-carotene-linoleate model system, and DPPH method were also found to be highest with methanol extract followed by ethyl acetate and water extracts. The results indicated that the extent of antioxidant activity of the extract is in accordance with the amount of phenolics present in that extract and the fruit of D. indica is rich in phenolics may provide a good source of antioxidant.     

川东獐牙菜中抗氧化成分的提取及活性研究

为了研究川东獐牙菜中的抗氧化活性成分,采用不同的溶剂(乙酸乙酯、70%乙醇和水)对獐牙菜进行提取,利用DPPH法、ABTS法和铁氰化钾还原法对提取物进行抗氧化实验。结果表明3种提取物中,体积分数70%乙醇提取物的还原力、清除DPPH自由基及ABTS自由基能力为最强,水提取物次之,而乙酸乙酯提取物相对较弱,并且随着各提取物浓度的增加,其抗氧化活性也相应增强。各提取物的抗氧化活性与其总酚组成及含量有关。     

Antioxidant activity and protective effect against plasmid DNA strand scission of leaf, bark, and heartwood extracts from Acacia catechu

The antioxidant activity of methanol extract/fractions of leaf, bark, and heartwood of Acacia catechu was evaluated by various antioxidant assays, including free radical, superoxide and hydroxyl radical, reducing power, metal ion chelation, as well as hydroxyl radical induced DNA strand scission. The leaf, bark, and heartwood powder was extracted in methanol and the lyophilized methanol extract was fractionated with different solvents in the order of increasing polarity. The results indicate that ethyl acetate fraction of heartwood has the highest antioxidant capacities, presenting lower EC(50) values particularly in free radical scavenging activity, including DPPH radicals (4.76 ± 0.14 μg/mL), superoxide anions (26.21 ± 0.79 μg/mL), and hydroxyl radicals (33.69 ± 1.42 μg/mL), in direct assay systems. Reducing power was also highest in ethyl acetate fraction of heartwood (EC(50) of 79.05 ± 1.02 μg/mL). As for the chelating power on ferrous ions, leaf extract was more effective than bark and heartwood extracts. Furthermore, the ethyl acetate and acetone fractions of heartwood significantly protected pBR322 supercoiled plasmid DNA against strand scission induced by hydroxyl radicals in a Fenton's reaction mixture. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The present investigation suggests that the three organs of A. catechu differ significantly in their antioxidant potential as seen in the DPPH radical scavenging assay, reducing power assay, metal ion chelating assay, superoxide radical scavenging assay and hydroxyl radical scavenging assay. Further, our results showed that crude methanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction of heartwood of A. catechu might have a good potential as a source for natural health products due to its antioxidant and DNA protective activities.     

Comparison of hot air-drying and freeze-drying on the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch.) flours

Freeze-drying and hot air-drying were applied in the preparation of pumpkin flours to investigate the effects of drying methods on the antioxidant activities and physicochemical properties. The antioxidant activities of methanol extracts from pumpkin flours were studied in terms of total antioxidant activity, reducing power, free radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging and metal chelating activities. Hot air-dried pumpkin flour showed stronger antioxidant activities than freeze-dried flour. The percentage inhibition of peroxidation in linoleic acid system by 15 mg mL⁻¹ extracts from hot air-dried and freeze-dried pumpkin flours was found to be 92.4% and 86.1% after 120 h of incubation, respectively. Hot air-dried pumpkin flour exhibited higher reducing power, free radical scavenging and metal chelating activities than freeze-dried flour. This study also indicated that freeze-drying significantly reduced the browning and preserved the redness of pumpkin flours. Hot air-drying reduced the oil absorption capacity, water absorption and porosity of pumpkin flours, while it markedly increased the water solubility and bulk density.     

蛇菰提取物体外抗氧化活性研究

采用DPPH·法及Fe3+ 还原力法对蛇菰提取物的抗氧化活性进行研究,分别测定蛇菰乙醇提物、石油醚提取物、氯仿提取物、乙酸乙酯提取物、正丁醇提取物、水层部分、水提粗多糖及碱提粗多糖的抗氧化作用,同时以VC 作为阳性对照。结果表明：蛇菰提取物具有较强的抗氧化活性,尤其是乙酸乙酯提取物、正丁醇提取物、总醇提取物及水提粗多糖;它们对DPPH·的清除作用与VC 相当,其中乙酸乙酯提取物IC50 值为6.0μg/mL,活性略高于VC,同时以上提取物对Fe3+ 也具有很强的还原能力。     

全叶青兰提取物抗氧化活性的研究

以全叶青兰经超临界CO2萃取后的萃取物为原料,采用乙醇提取后,根据极性差异经乙醚、乙酸乙酯和正丁醇依次萃取,对所得提取物的抗氧化活性进行了研究。结果表明,3种提取物对DPPH自由基和羟基自由基均具有比较强的抗氧化活性。其清除DPPH自由基的能力比较接近,而对羟基自由基的清除能力三者差异较大。其中,乙酸乙酯和乙醚提取物清除羟基自由基的半数清除率要明显小于同等条件下的对照品芦丁和BHT的清除浓度,正丁醇提取物清除DPPH自由基的半数清除率的浓度明显要小于清除羟基自由基的浓度,乙酸乙酯萃取物和乙醚萃取物在两个体系内的差异较小。     

Radical scavenging activity and phenolic compounds in persimmon (Diospyros kaki L. cv. Mopan)

ABSTRACT:  The Mopan persimmon ( Diospyros kaki L. cv. Mopan) is the major cultivar of astringent persimmon in northern China. This study investigates the radical scavenging activity against ABTS and DPPH radical, and the content of total and individual phenolics (catechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and gallic acid) with apple, grape, and tomato as controls. The radical scavenging activities against ABTS and DPPH radicals of the Mopan persimmon are 23.575 and 22.597 μm trolox eq/g f.w., respectively. These findings suggest that the Mopan persimmon's antioxidant activity is significantly ( P < 0.05) stronger than that of reference materials. The Mopan persimmon showed the highest content of total phenolics among the 4 materials tested. Significant correlations ( R ²= 0.993, P < 0.05, ABTS radical; R ²= 0.980, P < 0.05, DPPH radical) are found between the total phenolics and the radical scavenging activities. The total content of these 6 kinds of phenolics (catechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and gallic acid) is significantly correlated ( R ²= 0.831, P < 0.05, ABTS radical; R ²= 0.745, P < 0.05, DPPH radical) with the individual radical scavenging activity of the 4 materials, although the total content of the 6 phenolics accounts for no more than 20% of the total phenolics in the Mopan persimmon. Gallic acid exhibits the strongest antioxidant activity in all 6 kinds of phenolics and its content is the largest in the Mopan persimmon, presumably being responsible for its much higher antioxidant activity as compared to apple, grape, and tomato.     

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.