Dried fruits: phytochemicals and their fate during in vitro digestion

Mediterranean dried fruits that are cultivated and produced in Greece; that is, Corinthian currants, figs, prunes, cherries, apricots and peaches were evaluated in terms of total polar phenols, individual simple phenolics, anthocyanins and antioxidant capacity in vitro. The potential release of dried fruit polar phenols among the different fractions of an in vitro digestion model was also determined. Total polar phenol, flavanol, flavone/flavonol content and antioxidant capacity was in the range 86–551 mg GAE/100g, 0.2–57 mg CE/100g, 9–71 mg RE/100g and 6–47 mg AAE/100g, respectively. A 12–82% release of total phenolics was observed post-mastication, which further increased post-gastric digestion. The same trend was also followed in the case of total flavanols and flavones/flavonols. Total polar phenols and flavones/flavonols were found to enter the simulated epithelial cell wall. Simple polar phenolics and anthocyanins were identified and quantified in all dried fruit extracts and in some of the digestion fractions.     

Effect of extrusion variables on antioxidant activity,total phenolic content and dietary fibre content of gluten‐free extrudate from germinated Chenopodium (Chenopodium album) flour

A Box‐Behnken design was used to study the effects of feed moisture content (18–20%), barrel temperature (115–135 °C) and screw speed (225–275 rpm) on the responses; antioxidant activity, total phenolics, dietary fibre, colour (L‐value), hardness, expansion ratio, water absorption index and overall acceptability for development of gluten‐free extrudate based on germinated Chenopodium album flour. Second‐order polynomial fitted model showed that temperature most significantly (P ≤ 0.05) affected the antioxidant activity (AoxA), total phenolics (TPC), expansion ratio, hardness and overall acceptability (OA). Antioxidant activity, total phenolic content and dietary fibre of extrudate varied from 11.56 to 15.93%, 56.77 to 81.28 mg/100 g and 18.65 to 22.06 g/100 g, whereas the lightness and hardness of extrudates ranged from 64.02 to 68.35 and 12.26 to 19.49 N, respectively. The results of this study validate the production of functional and acceptable snack product made from C.  album flour by extrusion cooking.     

Effect of Domestic Cooking Methods on Antioxidant Capacity of Fresh and Frozen Kale

The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in the antioxidant capacity of fresh and frozen kale during domestic cooking methods (e.g., boiling, microwaving, and steaming). The antioxidant activities of the samples were measured using three in vitro assays (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assay, 2, 2’-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid assay, and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay). The steaming treatment was found to be the best cooking method to retain antioxidant compounds, followed by the microwaving and boiling treatments. The frozen uncooked samples exhibited a higher antioxidant capacity than the fresh, uncooked samples, indicating that the freezing process could enhance the antioxidant capacity of the kale.     

Genotype and growing season influence blueberry antioxidant capacity and other quality attributes

Forty‐two blueberry cultivars (thirty‐six Vaccinium ashei, three V. ashei derivative hybrids and three northern highbush standards) were evaluated for their antioxidant capacities and other fruit quality attributes over two growing seasons. Total anthocyanins, phenolic content and antioxidant capacities varied substantially among species and cultivars. ‘Early May’ (V. ashei) had the highest amounts of anthocyanins, phenolics and antioxidant capacity. Cultivars from V. ashei hybrid derivatives had lower mean antioxidant components than those from northern highbush standards or V. ashei. The antioxidant capacity, as well as total anthocyanins and phenolics, had significant cultivar × year interactions. Correlation coefficient between years for total anthocyanins, total phenolics and oxygen radical absorbance capacity were high with values of 0.86, 0.81 and 0.93, respectively. Similar interactions were observed for soluble solids content (SSC), sugar, titratable acid and organic acids among cultivars both within and across the growing seasons. Correlation coefficients between years for SSC, fructose, glucose and sucrose were 0.78, 0.71, 0.83 and 0.96, respectively. Fructose and glucose were detected as two major sugars with sucrose as a minor constituent. ‘Clara’ contained the highest amounts of SSC and sugars, while ‘Satilla’ had the lowest. In general, V. ashei cultivars had a higher mean SSC and sugar contents than did the hybrid derivatives or the northern highbush standards. Cultivars of V. ashei contained higher malic acid than citric acid, whereas in hybrid derivatives and northern highbush cultivars, citric acid was the predominant organic acid. The diversity in the amount of these fruit quality attributes and antioxidant capacities presents a great opportunity for genetic improvement of blueberries through breeding programmes. The objective of the study was to identify blueberry cultivars with high antioxidant activity and good fruit quality, so they can be used as parents for future blueberry breeding programmes to develop new cultivars with higher antioxidant activity.     

Bioaccessibility and antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds in cooked pulses

The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioaccessibility of polyphenols and antioxidant activity in cooked pulses and to study the effect of cooking on their total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant capacity. Cooked faba beans showed the highest TPC, followed by soybeans and lentils or peas. TPC ranged from 10.4 ± 0.2 to 52.9 ± 0.3 mg/100 g and was positively correlated with antioxidant activity. Cooking resulted in increased TPC and antioxidant activity of the methanolic extracts, caused by cell disruption and improved extraction of polyphenols. Although polyphenols were lost in the cooking water, boiled legumes had more polyphenols than those resulting cooking broths. In vitro gastrointestinal digestion resulted in increased TPC and antioxidant capacity of the extracts. Soybeans showed the highest amount of bioaccessible polyphenols. The release of phenolics from cooked legumes was mainly achieved during the intestinal phase. Literature data may underestimate the TPC and antioxidant capacity of pulses.     

Application of simultaneous combination of microwave and steam cooking to improve nutritional quality of cooked purple sweet potatoes and saving time

The influence of simultaneous combination of microwave and steam cooking on contents of specific phytochemicals, carbohydrate and antioxidant activity of purple sweet potatoes (PSPs) was investigated, and compared to those of individual steaming and microwaving. Results showed that the contents of phytochemicals including total phenolics, flavonoids and anthocyanins and phenolic acids except caffeic acid increased after cooking to different extent depending on cooking methods. The PSPs cooked by simultaneous combination of microwave (500 W) and steam (1700 W) for 12 min (M₅₀₀-S₁₇₀₀-12) contained the highest of total phenolics, flavonoids, phenolic acids and anthocyanins. Simultaneous combination of microwave and steaming resulted in higher content of soluble sugar in PSPs. PSPs cooked by M₅₀₀-S₁₇₀₀-12 showed the highest antioxidant activity, which was well accordance with higher contents of phytochemicals. The findings suggest that appropriate simultaneous combination of microwave and steaming could better preserve active phytochemicals in PSPs, but significantly shorten cooking time compared with individual steaming.Industrial relevanceSimultaneous combination of microwave and steam cooking is a new technology for cooking food. However, the information about the effects of simultaneous combination of microwave and steam cooking on quality of food is limited. The present findings showed that the appropriate combination of microwave and steam cooking could significantly decrease the cooking time and improve nutrition value of cooked PSPs. This research is not only of importance for understanding the changes of food composition during different heating process, but also has important practical significance for choosing a scientific cooking methods and developing new type of cooking utensils which can better satisfy current consumers' needs.     

Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Capacities of 10 Common Edible Flowers from China

The free and bound phenolic compounds in 10 common Chinese edible flowers were investigated using reversed phase high‐performance liquid chromatography. Their antioxidant capacities were evaluated using 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical‐scavenging activity, 2,2'‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical‐scavenging activity, oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and cellular antioxidant activity (CAA). Free factions were more prominent in phenolic content and antioxidant capacity than bound fractions. Paeonia suffruticosa and Flos lonicerae showed the highest total phenolic content (TPC) 235.5 mg chlorogenic acid equivalents/g of dry weight and total flavonoid content 89.38 mg rutin equivalents/g of dry weight. The major phenolic compounds identified were gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, and rutin. P. suffruticosa had the highest antioxidant capacity in the DPPH, ABTS, and ORAC assays, which were 1028, 2065, 990 μmol Trolox equivalents/g of dry weight, respectively, whereas Rosa chinensis had the highest FRAP value (2645 μmol Fe²⁺ equivalents /g of dry weight). The P. suffruticosa soluble phenolics had the highest CAA, with the median effective dose (EC₅₀) 26.7 and 153 μmol quercetin equivalents/100 g of dry weight in the phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and no PBS wash protocol, respectively. TPC was strongly correlated with antioxidant capacity (R = 0.8443 to 0.9978, P < 0.01), which indicated that phenolics were the major contributors to the antioxidant activity of the selected edible flowers.     

Liaison of phenolic acids and biological activity of escalating cultivars of Daucus carota

The objective of the present study was to analyze and compare the phenolic compounds and their antioxidant capacities of new lines of Dacus carota. The selected cultivars showed high variation in the contents of total phenolics (30.26–65.39 mg/100 g FW) and total ascorbic acid (41.12–58.36 mg/100 g FW). Analysis on RP-HPLC revealed that hydroxycinnamic acids and its derivatives were major phenolic compounds present in D. carota extracts, whereas 5-caffeolquinic acid was a major hydroxycinnamic acid (ranged from 30.26 to 65.39 mg/100 g FW). DCP cultivar showed high total antioxidant capacity (77.69 mg/100 g), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging capacity (52.36 mg/100 g), superoxide radical scavenging capacity (53.69 mg/100 g), and hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity (51.91 mg/100 g). A linear relationship was found between total phenolic acid contents and antioxidant capacity. Both phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacities varied significantly (ρ < 0.05) among cultivars. DCP cultivar was found to be a rich source of phenolics and ascorbic acid with high antioxidant activity.     

Physicochemical characterization of special persimmon fruit beers using bohemian pilsner malt as a base

This study involved the production of special fruit ale beers with different concentrations (100:0%, 75:25%, 50:50% and 25:75% v /v) of barley malt and persimmon juice from the ‘Rojo Brillante’ variety. Fermentation took place under beer quality control parameters and the influence of persimmon juice on beer quality was investigated. Colour, turbidity, pH, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, sugars, organic acids, total phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity and ethanol formation were determined during the fermentation process. These fruit beers, whose alcoholic contents were within the standards (3.6–5.63% v /v ethanol), were characterized by a normal acid pH (3.97–4.13) with citric and lactic acids the most abundant organic acids, a clear golden colour without turbidity [2.05–2.83 European Brewery Convention units], intermediate total phenolic compound values (283.0–327.1 mg GAE/L) and antioxidant activities between 1.65 and 5.78 mm TE/L. The persimmon beverage which contained 75% fruit juice was the most valued and preferred by the panelists followed by the 50:50% wort–persimmon beer. Copyright © 2017 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Exploring the effect of microwave treatment on phenolic flavonoids,antioxidant capacity,and phenolic in vitro bioaccessibility of sorghum

The effect of microwave treatment on phenolics, flavonoids, antioxidant capacity, and phenolic in vitro bioaccessibility of white and red sorghum was evaluated. After microwave treatment for 40 s, the contents of free, bound, and total phenolics in white and red sorghum increased by 15.6–42.6, 4.0–23.4, and 19.7–66.0 mg gallic acid equivalents 100 g⁻¹ dry weight (DW), respectively, and the contents of free, bound, and total flavonoids increased by 9.4–11.2, 4.8–5.4, and 14.2–16.6 mg rutin equivalents 100 g⁻¹ DW, respectively. With increasing microwave treatment time, the contents of phenolic acids and flavonoids in white and red sorghum first increased and then decreased. Additionally, the changes in antioxidant capacity indicated a similar trend with phenolic contents for white and red sorghum. In vitro gastrointestinal digestion indicated that microwave treatment had no effect on the phenolic bioaccessibility of white and red sorghum but increased the release amount of phenolic acid and antioxidant capacity.     

Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa)

Brazil nuts were shelled and separated as kernel and brown skin; whole nuts were also used. Soluble phenolics from each portion as well as the whole nut were extracted using 70% acetone under reflux conditions. Insoluble-bound phenolics were subsequently extracted into diethyl ether–ethyl acetate mixture (1:1, v/v) after alkaline hydrolysis. Both soluble and insoluble-bound phenolic extracts were separately examined for their total phenolics content; antioxidant activities were evaluated by trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), reducing power, and oxygen radical scavenging capacity (ORAC). Soluble phenolics in brown skin was 1236.07 as compared to 406.83 in kernel and 519.11 mg/100 g in whole nut. Bound phenolics content of brown skin was also 86- and 19-folds higher than kernel and whole nut, respectively. Similarly extracts from the brown skin exhibited the highest antioxidant activity. Free- and bound phenolics were identified and quantified; these included nine phenolic acids and flavonoids and their derivatives (gallic acid, gallocatechin. protocatechuic acid, catechin, vanillic acid, taxifolin, myricetin, ellagic acid, and quercetin). However, some phenolics were present only in the bound form. Furthermore, the phenolics were dominant in the brown skin.     

Changes in strawberry phenolics, anthocyanins, and antioxidant capacity in response to high oxygen treatments

Changes in fruit quality, decay, phenolic and anthocyanin content, and antioxidant capacity of strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa Duch. cv. Allstar) stored under air and high oxygen atmospheres at 5 °C were investigated. Freshly harvested strawberries were placed in jars and ventilated continuously with air or with 40, 60, 80, or 100 kPa O₂ at 5 °C for up to 14 days. Samples were taken initially, and after 3, 7, 10 and 14 days of storage. While fruit quality parameters such as titratable acidity, total soluble solids and surface color were only slightly affected by differing levels of O₂, the higher oxygen concentration treatments significantly reduced decay. Oxygen concentrations higher than 60 kPa also promoted increases in ORAC values, total phenolics and total anthocyanins as well as individual phenolic compounds analysed by HPLC during the initial 7 days of storage. However, this effect diminished with prolonged storage. No significant differences in ORAC values, total phenolics, total anthocyanins, or the individual phenolic compounds were observed among the high O₂ and air-stored fruits after 14 days of storage. These results indicate that high oxygen treatments exert the most effects on fruit quality and antioxidant capacity of strawberry fruit in the first 7 days of storage.     

烹调方式及4℃模拟配送中青椒营养品质及亚硝酸盐含量变化

本实验通过测定同一烹调成熟度下我国主要烹调方式及模拟餐饮冷藏配送过程中青椒营养品质和亚硝酸盐含量的变化,确定青椒最佳冷藏配送时间以及准确评估我国居民营养素的摄入量。以青椒为原料,以硬度作为烹调成熟度的统一标准,以传统烹调方式炒制、蒸制、煮制、微波为烹调方法,研究青椒在烹调后及模拟4℃冷藏配送0、1、4、8、12、24 h复热青椒的营养品质及亚硝酸含量变化。结果表明:烹调使VC含量显著降低,烹调后其真实保存率为76.3%~84.0%;总酚含量和抗氧化活性烹调后显著增加,总酚含量的真实保存率、1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼自由基清除能力的真实保存率、铁离子还原能力的真实保存率分别为97.7%~130.6%、156.76%~203.79%、156.94%~172.53%;除煮制使青椒可溶性固形物含量显著降低22.06%,其他几种烹调方式可以很好地保存可溶性固形物。烹调还会使亚硝酸盐含量显著降低6%~18%,更利于人体健康。在统一烹调标准下,不同烹调方式对VC含量影响无显著差异,炒制较其他几种方式相比能更多地增加总酚含量,蒸制和煮制能更多地增加抗氧化活性,煮制可以更多地减少亚硝酸盐的含量。综合而言,蒸制处理的青椒能更好地保持青椒的营养品质,且显著降低亚硝酸盐含量,更利于人体健康,建议对青椒的食用以蒸制处理后食用为好。在24 h模拟配送过程中,烹调青椒的营养品质呈下降趋势,亚硝酸盐含量呈缓慢上升趋势;蒸制和微波处理的青椒品质变化相对缓慢,更适宜作为模拟冷配送的前处理过程;营养物质在前8 h内快速下降,亚硝酸盐含量在模拟配送24 h显著增加,建议以青椒为原料的餐饮冷藏配送时间不宜超过24 h,且应在前8 h内采取保护措施。     

Antioxidant activity,phenolic and anthocyanin contents of various rhubarb (Rheum spp.) varieties

Antioxidant activity (ABTS assay), total phenolics and total anthocyanins were determined in the petioles of twenty‐nine rhubarb (Rheum spp.) varieties. Antioxidant activity ranged from 463 ± 50 (Rheum officinale) to 1242 ± 2 μmol Trolox per g DW (Valentine). The phenolic content varied from 673 ± 41 (Loher Blut) to 4173 ± 23 mg GAE/100 g DW (Plum Hutt) and had a low correlation (r = 0.663) with antioxidant results. Seven of the varieties (Plum Hutt, Valentine, Minnesota No. 8, Cherry Red, Cawood Delight, Coulter McDonald and OR 23) had higher total phenolics than kale, a vegetable rich in phenolics. The concentration of anthocyanins ranged from 19.8 ± 1.5 (Crimson Red) to 341.1 ± 41.6 mg/100 g DW (Valentine). The percentages of two main anthocyanins in rhubarb, cyanidin 3‐glucoside and cyanidin 3‐rutinoside varied from 66.07:33.93, respectively, in Valentine to 9.36:90.64, respectively, in R. officinale.     

Inhibition of phenolics on the in vitro digestion of noodles from the view of phenolics release

The inhibition mechanism of buckwheat phenolics on in vitro starch digestion was investigated using extruded noodles with buckwheat starch and phenolic extract (0.50%–2.00%). The cooking quality and reducing sugar released during in vitro digestion were studied, and the extractable phenolic content along digestion was also monitored to reveal a dose–effect relationship between reducing sugar released and the release of phenolics. Noodles containing increased phenolics released less reducing sugar (230–188 mg g⁻¹) during digestion. Cooking and digestion made phenolics more extractable, and most of the phenolics were released at the end of the gastric phase (85.6%–94.8%) compared with during the small intestinal digestion. The IC₅₀ of buckwheat phenolic extract (0.102 mg mL⁻¹) was four times that of acarbose (0.032 mg mL⁻¹). The inhibitory mechanism was further analysed using molecular docking, in which the activity of α-amylase was inhibited by phenolics that bind with active sites of α-amylase through hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interaction. Phenolics interacting with starch and the released phenolics can both explain the reduction in starch digestion.     

Influence of different cooking methods on color,bioactive compounds,and antioxidant activity of kale

In this study, the effects of different cooking methods on health-promoting phytochemicals and antioxidant activity of fresh kale were investigated. Results showed that water soluble phytochemicals were significantly decreased by boiling. While stir-frying gave the highest degradation ratio for all phytochemicals, and steaming gave the lowest degradation ratio. The thermal degradation ratios of ascorbic acid, total carotenoids, total chlorophylls, total flavonols, and total phenolics content after stir-frying were 54.9, 28.2, 71.0, 81.3, and 39.3%, respectively. The results showed that steaming can be considered as the best method of cooking as it preserve the bioactive compounds and the antioxidant activity.     

Use of an edible coating containing galbanum gum and cumin essential oil for quality preservation in sweet cherries

Nowadays, the use of natural compounds is considered as an effective strategy for maintaining the quality and heath promoting capacity of fresh products. Changes in quality parameters, main phenolics and antioxidants of sweet cherries in response to coating with a novel bioactive edible coating were studied. Fruit were treated with different concentrations of galbanum gum (GG), cumin essential oil (CEO) and CaCl₂ (CA) and stored at 2 ± 1°C with 90–95% RH for 30 days plus 1 day at ambient condition, and were subjected to quality analysis. All phenolic constituents and antioxidants of fruit juice were substantially decreased during storage in control fruit and a bioactive coating containing 1 or 2% GG + 100 or 200 µL L⁻¹ CEO + 1% CA maintained main fruit phytochemicals including phenolics, phenolic acids, flavonols, anti-stress and antioxidant enzymes activities. The coating significantly (P ≤ 0.01) enhanced fruit total antioxidant activity, flavonoids and ferulic acid contents. The results showed that it is possible to enhance the sweet cherry fruit health-promoting phytochemicals and shelf life by the use of a natural edible coating containing GG and CEO.     

Stir‐frying treatments affect the phenolics profiles and cellular antioxidant activity of Adinandra nitida tea (Shiyacha) in daily tea model

Adinandra nitida tea (Shiyacha) is a well‐known resource of functional foods with many healthful features. Effect of stir frying on phenolics, aromatic compounds, cellular antioxidant and antiproliferative activities in A. nitida tea was investigated. Stir‐fried samples depicted a significant increase in total water‐soluble solid, phenolics and flavonoids contents, respectively. In stir‐fried treated samples, main compounds were higher than in corresponding untreated samples. Similar trend was observed in aromatic compounds. Hydrophilic peroxyl radical scavenging capacity and oxygen radical absorbance capacity were enhanced immensely in the treated samples. Furthermore, cellular antioxidant activities of treated samples were higher than those of untreated samples. Stir‐fried samples exhibited higher antiproliferative activity on HepG2 cells, whereas an lack in untreated samples. These findings suggest that stir frying could be an effective technique to improve A. nitida tea quality, and support that A. nitida tea could act as a potential functional food against intracellular oxidative stress and inhibitor of liver cancer.     

2种草莓成熟过程中果实特征品质指标的变化

研究‘米拉’(‘Mira’)和‘哈尼’(‘Honeoye’)2个草莓品种的白色未熟期、粉色转熟期和红色成熟期3个阶段成熟过程中与风味、生理功能活性相关的特征品质指标变化。结果表明随着草莓成熟果实中总可溶性固形物含量、芳香性挥发成分、花色苷成分积累量有显著性上升,而总酸、总酚、总黄酮含量和抗氧化能力均有所下降。相关性和主成分分析结果表明,草莓成熟过程中总酚、总黄酮、总可溶性固形物和总酸含量均与总抗氧化-亚铁还原能力(ferric reducing-antioxidant power,FRAP)以及氧自由基吸收能力(oxygen radical absorption capacity,ORAC)的变化之间存在高相关性(r为0.859 1~0.994 7),而总花色苷含量与FRAP和ORAC之间的相关性仅为0.315 0和0.385 3。同时得出草莓果实的成熟度与芳香性挥发成分和花色苷组分积累量呈正相关性。