Screening of the antioxidant properties and polyphenol composition of aromatised green tea infusions

BACKGROUND: Aromatised green teas are widely sold and popular owing to their fragrance. In this study the antioxidant activity of six commercial green tea infusions was assessed by three complementary assays. RESULTS: In order to evaluate the tea infusions as antioxidant sources, their phenolic content (Folin‐Ciocalteu assay), cupric ion‐reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picryhydrazyl (DPPH) radical‐scavenging ability were determined. Their content of polyphenols was also determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS) in negative electrospray ionisation mode. Some teas with citrus aroma, besides having a relatively high content of catechins, also contain other phenolic compounds such as naringin and hesperidin. The three assays used to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of the tea infusions gave different rank orders. Therefore an antioxidant index was calculated for better correlation of the results, and its highest value was obtained for Clear Green Mint tea infusion. CONCLUSION: The studied teas, besides having a relatively high content of catechins, also contain naringin and hesperidin, which are not present in ‘pure’ green tea. It is important to run multiple assays to get a better estimate of the antioxidant capacity of a given sample. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

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.     

Deterioration due to delayed icing and its impacts on the nutritional quality of Malabar travally (Carangoides malabaricus)

Effect of delayed icing of the fish Carangoides malabaricus was assessed using chemical and microbial methods to determine the impacts on the nutritional quality and sensory changes. The shelf life of the fishes iced immediately after harvest had a shelf life of 18 days, whereas the delay of icing for 4, 6, 8 and 10 h shortened the shelf life to 14, 10, 6 and 3 days respectively. The spoilage indicators, such as trimethylamine nitrogen, Total volatile basic nitrogen, free fatty acids, peroxide value, thiobarbituric acid and pH values, significantly increased (P < 0.05) during the storage period of fishes with delayed icing. The total bacterial count also increased during the storage period and due to quality deterioration, the protein and lipid contents were found significantly low (P < 0.05). This study showed that chemical and microbial changes of the sample are well correlated with nutritional and sensory qualities so that immediate icing is important for maintaining the quality and shelf life of C. malabaricus.     

Protective effect of two edible mushrooms against oxidative cell damage and their phenolic composition

The aim of the study was to investigate phenolic composition, antioxidative, protective and cytotoxic effects of Pleurotus eryngii and Auricularia auricula-judae. Analysis of phenolic compounds in these edible mushrooms species has been carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Protective effect of these mushrooms on H₂O₂ induced oxidative cell damage was determined by using MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, a yellow tetrazole) assay. Antioxidant activities of the mushrooms extracts were evaluated by using complementary in vitro assays. In addition, the measurement of total antioxidant compounds in the extracts was carried out. All the extracts exhibited protective effect against H₂O₂ induced oxidative cell damage but the highest activity was observed for A. auricula-judae aqueous extract (89.5 ± 1.8% cell viability at 0.1 mg/ml). P. eryngii methanolic extract showed the highest ferrous iron chelating ability (IC₅₀ = 0.42 ± 0.03 mg/ml). A. auricula-judae extracts (at concentration of 0.025–0.100 mg/ml) were not toxic to baby hamster kidney fibroblast cell line (BHK 21). These results suggest that these mushrooms may be used as a potential source of natural antioxidants for food supplementation or in the development of nutraceuticals.     

Nutritional composition and sensory attributes of Alaskan flatfishes compared to plaice (Pleuronectes platessa)

Proximate composition, fatty acids profiles and other nutritional values were evaluated for fillets of Limanda aspera (yellowfin sole), Lepidopsetta bilineata (southern rock sole) and Lepidopsetta polyxystra (northern rock sole) and compared to North Sea plaice (Pleuronectes platessa). Additional information is given on the composition of fillets from arrowtooth flounder (Atheresthes stomias). Plaice (0.8% lipid) and Alaska soles (1.0–1.2% lipid) can be classified as lean species, resulting in low 0.3–0.5 g ∑EPA+DHA/100 g muscle, although the fatty acid profiles of the extracted lipids were characterised by high amount of n‐3 fatty acids (33.2–47.3%). Arrowtooth flounder belong to the medium‐fat species (4.3%). Taurine was the most prevalent free amino acid; mean values ranging between 221 mg100 g^?1 and 247 mg100 g^?1 wet weight. The selenium content varied between 130 and 310 μg kg^?1 ww. Sensory attributes of Southern and Northern rock sole were comparable to plaice.     

东紫苏多酚提取物对HepG2细胞氧化损伤的保护作用研究

目的测定东紫苏（Elsholtzia bodinieri Vaniot）多酚提取物的抗氧化活性,并研究其对H2O2诱导的HepG2细胞氧化应激损伤的保护作用。方法采用福林酚(Folin-Ciocalte)法测定东紫苏提取物的多酚含量,通过测定1,1-二苯基-2-苦基肼(1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl,DPPH)自由基清除能力（DPPH radical scavenging activity,DRSA）、铁离子还原/抗氧化能力（ferric reducing antioxidant power,FRAP）、过氧化氢清除活性（hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity,HPSA）和总抗氧化能力（trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity,TEAC）来评价东紫苏多酚体外抗氧化活性,用MTT法测定不同浓度的东紫苏多酚对HepG2细胞的毒性作用,并确定3个无毒性作用浓度,研究其对HepG2细胞增殖抑制作用,以800 μmol/L的H2O2诱导HepG2细胞建立氧化应激损伤模型,通过测定HepG2细胞中活性氧（reactive oxygen species,ROS）含量、抗氧化酶（superoxide dismutase,SOD;catalase,CAT）活力、谷胱甘肽（glutathione, GSH）含量以及丙二醛（malonicdialdehyde,MDA）含量的变化情况,研究在5.00、2.50和1.25μg/mL无毒性作用浓度下东紫苏多酚对HepG2细胞氧化损伤的保护作用。结果东紫苏多酚含量为（30.91±1.33）μmol/g DW,DRSA值为（17.45±0.54） μmol/g DW,FRAP值为（52.64±0.05） μmol/g DW,HPSA值为（27.12±0.17）μmol/g DW,TEAC值为（186.45±0.16）μmol/g DW。东紫苏多酚提取物能使受氧化损伤的HepG2细胞内ROS和MDA含量明显减少,并且能提高受氧化损伤细胞内GSH含量以及SOD和CAT活力。结论东紫苏多酚提取物具有较好的体外抗氧化活性,对HepG2细胞氧化应激损伤具有一定的保护作用。     

富锶茶多糖提取物的抗氧化活性及其对H2O2诱导LO2细胞氧化损伤保护研究

目的 探明富锶茶多糖最佳提取工艺,并分析其体外抗氧化活性及对H2O2诱导LO2细胞氧化损伤的保护作用。方法 本研究采用热水超声辅助法从茶叶中提取富锶茶多糖,通过Box-Behnken响应面实验法对富锶茶多糖的提取工艺条件进行了优化;以1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼(1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH)自由基、羟基自由基(·OH)、2,2’-联氮-二(3-乙基-苯并噻唑啉-6-磺酸)二铵盐[2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) ammonium salt, ABTS]阳离子自由基的清除能力和Fe3+的还原能力来为指标,分析富锶茶多糖的体外抗氧化活性;并以过氧化氢(H2O2)建立LO2细胞损伤模型,研究富锶茶多糖对LO2细胞氧化应激损伤的改善机制。结果 富锶茶多糖的最佳的提取工艺条件为：浸提时间57 min、料液比1:25 g/mL、提取温度67℃,富锶茶多糖得率为3.50%±0.12%。在体外抗氧化方面,富锶茶多糖对DPPH自由基、ABTS阳离子自由基、·OH和对Fe3+的还原能力具有较好的清除能力;在改善LO2细胞氧化应激损伤方面,随着多糖质量浓度升高,细胞存活率也显著提高,当多糖质量浓度为50 μg/mL时,细胞存活率达到99.5%;在清除机体过氧化机制上,相对于模型组,超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase, SOD)在低、中、高实验组中均有所增强,氧化氢酶(catalase, CAT)活力在中、高实验组中有显著提高,从细胞水平表明富锶茶多糖对LO2细胞氧化损伤具有明显的改善作用。结论 富锶茶多糖具有良好的抗氧化性以及对H2O2诱导LO2细胞氧化损伤有很好的保护作用,为富锶茶多糖功能性产品开发提供了理论基础。     

Influence of the interactions between tea (Camellia sinensis) extracts and ascorbic acid on their antioxidant activity: analysis with interaction indexes and isobolograms

Products containing natural additives, including antioxidants, are usually perceived by consumers as safer than those with synthetic ones. Natural antioxidants, besides having a preservative activity, may exert beneficial health effects. Interactions between antioxidants may significantly change their antioxidant activity, thus in designing functional foods or food/cosmetic ingredients knowledge about the type of interactions could be useful. In the present study, the interactions between ascorbic acid (AA; vitamin C) and different black and green tea extracts and the influence on their antioxidant activities were investigated. The antioxidant activities of tea extracts and their mixtures with AA prepared in several different weight ratios were measured using the trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods. The type of interaction was determined by interaction indexes and isobolograms. It was found that the weight ratio of extracts to AA significantly influenced the antioxidant activity of a mixture and the type of interaction between these components. The weight ratio of tea extract to AA can cause the change of interaction, e.g. from antagonism to additivism or from additivism to synergism. The observed differences in the type of interactions were probably also a result of different extracts’ polyphenol composition and content. The type of interaction may also be affected by the medium in which extracts and AA interact, especially its pH and the solvent used. To obtain the best antioxidant effect, all these factors should be taken into account during the design of a tea extract–AA mixture.     

Evaluation of some plant products against Trogoderma granarium everts in sorghum and their effects on nutritional composition and organoleptic characteristics

The efficacy of neem, citrus, garlic and podina powders and neem oil at 1 and 2% level (w/w) in sorghum grains was evaluated against larvae of Trogoderma granarium. Neem kernel powder and neem oil completely prevented damage by an introduced larval population. In other treatments, grain damage was noticeable after 3 months, although significantly less than in untreated grains. Thereafter, the percentage of damaged kernels increased progressively and reached as high as 29% (neem leaf), 44% (citrus), 56% (podina) and 71% (garlic) compared to 85% in the control after 6 months. Nutritional composition viz., moisture, ash, fibre, fat, protein and carbohydrates of treated grains remained unaffected after 1 month of storage. After 6 months, changes in nutritional composition were proportional to insect damage. Chapatis (unleavened bread) prepared from flour of treated grains after 1 and 6 months were of normal colour, appearance and texture, but in all cases, their taste, aroma and overall acceptability were adversely affected either by insect infestation or plant products or their combination.     

Tannase from Aspergillus melleus improves the antioxidant activity of green tea: purification and biochemical characterisation

Tannase is an inducible enzyme used extensively in food, feed, pharmaceutical and chemical industries. In this study, tannase production and its biochemical properties were evaluated. From 42 Aspergillus strains analysed for potential tannase selection, Aspergillus melleus yielded the best results. Production was analysed using a complete factorial planning of 2³. Maximum activity (452.55 U mL^?1) was obtained in the optimal conditions of substrate (5.0 g), initial moisture (60%), tannic acid (2%) and 48 h of fermentation. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was estimated as 69.52 kDa; its optimum temperature and pH were 40 °C and 5.5, respectively. Regarding the chemical effectors used, tannase was inhibited by ZnCl₂, ZnSO₄, Triton X‐100 and SDS. The addition of tannase to green tea improved its antioxidant potential by approximately 85% when compared to the control. The present results suggest that tannase may be used as an adjuvant to increase the antioxidant potential of green tea.     

Statistical optimisation of the exopolysaccharide production by Lactobacillus fermentum Lf2 and analysis of its chemical composition

Lactobacillus fermentum Lf2 produces high amounts of exopolysaccharides (EPS) (~1 g/L) with demonstrated functional and technological roles when applied as a food ingredient in dairy matrices, properties that made these EPS interesting in comparison with other similar molecules from lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Those characteristics encouraged us to optimise the production. The EPS extract is composed of a high molecular mass β‐glucan and a medium molecular mass heteroglycan. In the present work, the optimal conditions that doubled the EPS yield using a semidefined medium (SDM, 0.63% yeast nitrogen base, 0.53% bacto casitone, 0.53% ammonium citrate, 6.25% sucrose, pH 6.5) were found by means of response surface methodology (RSM). The chemical characterisation indicated that under optimised conditions the synthesis of the heteroglycan was favoured compared with that of the β‐glucan.     

Changes in nutritional composition,enzyme activities and bioactive compounds of germinated buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculantum M.) under unchanged air and humidity conditions

The objective of this study was to investigate changes in nutritional and bioactive compounds in buckwheat seeds during germination under unchanged air and humidity conditions. The germination increased the crude protein, total lipid, reducing sugars, essential amino acids (EAA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids, but decreased the total ash, total carbohydrate and saturated fatty acids. After germinating for 48 h, the total EAA and polyunsaturated fatty acids significantly increased by 5.22% and 3.66%, respectively, as compared to those of ungerminated buckwheat. The total phenolics and flavonoids contents of both free and bound phenolic extracts of germinated buckwheat were also significantly higher than those of ungerminated buckwheat. The rutin content was found to gradually increase during germination, whereas the quercetin content was the highest in the 36 h-germinated buckwheat (0.26 mg g⁻¹ flour). Therefore, germinated buckwheat is considered as a potential material for producing healthy functional foods.     

An investigation into low‐temperature nitrogen plasma environment effect on the content of polyphenols during withering in made Kenyan tea

Low‐temperature nitrogen plasma (LTNP) was used to wither green tea leaf to study its effect on the polyphenol content. Using a dielectric barrier discharge chamber to provide the LTNP environment, green tea leaf was withered at various withering times. Made tea samples indicated that LTNP had an effect on polyphenol content. The highest polyphenol content of 78.56 mg g^?1 in made tea was attained in 1 h after which it showed a decreasing trend with increasing retention time. For comparison purposes, green tea leaf was also withered in nonplasma environments. Highest polyphenol content of 133.4 mg g^?1 in made tea was attained in a sample withered anaerobically in nitrogen gas at room temperature and atmospheric pressure for 18 h. In another sample, green tea leaf was directly macerated and dried without withering and fermenting and had polyphenol content of 101.91 mg g^?1 in made tea. These contents were compared with green tea 4, purple tea and oolong tea that are currently manufactured in Kenya.     

The effect of enzymatic hydrolysis on the biological properties of Oenothera biennis,Borago officinalis and Nigella sativa seedcake by‐products from oil pressing

The biological properties of ethanolic (50%, v/v) extracts from Oenothera biennis, Borago officinalis, Nigella sativa seedcake before and after enzymatic hydrolysis by alpha‐amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) from Aspergillus oryzae, beta‐glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.21) and beta‐glucanase (EC 3.2.1.6) from Aspergillus niger combinations in a ratio of 1:1:1 were investigated. Total phenolic, flavonoid and reducing sugar content for O. biennis extract after enzymatic hydrolysis was, respectively, 0.5, 1.5 and 2 times higher in comparison with nonhydrolysed extract. Iron‐chelating and radical‐scavenging activity of O. biennis seedcake extract after hydrolysis (IC₅₀ = 0.076 mg mL^?1 and IC₅₀ = 0.050 mg mL^?1) was at a similar level as that nonhydrolyeed (IC₅₀ = 0.070 mg mL^?1 and IC₅₀ = 0.065 mg mL^?1). The antioxidant activity was two times higher after hydrolysis than before enzymatic hydrolysis of O. biennis seedcake extract. Also strong elastase inhibition activity has been shown to O. biennis seedcake extract before (IC₅₀ = 0.095 mg mL^?1) and after enzymatic hydrolysis (IC₅₀ = 0.07 mg mL^?1), respectively. Oenothera biennis and B. officinalis seedcake extracts before and after hydrolysis have stronger antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain in comparison with N. sativa seedcake.