Bioaccessibility and antioxidant potential of millet grain phenolics as affected by simulated in vitro digestion and microbial fermentation

Dehulled and cooked grains of five millet varieties (kodo, finger, proso, foxtail and pearl) were subjected to in vitro enzymatic digestion and microbial fermentation under physiological conditions in order to determine the bioaccessibility of their phenolic compounds. Extracts recovered as supernatants from enzymatic digestion and microbial fermentation were employed for the determination of their total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC), as well as the scavenging of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), peroxyl and hydroxyl radicals. Furthermore, trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), reducing power and ferrous ion chelating activity of the extracts so obtained were evaluated. The DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities were determined using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The peroxyl radical activity was measured using an oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. The TPC ranged from 12.7 to 35.4 and 21.2 to 47.4 μmol ferulic acid equivalents per gram of grain, on a dry weight (dw) basis at the end of intestinal digestion and colonic fermentation, respectively. All five millet varieties exhibited effective antioxidant activity and the order of efficacy differed according to the assay employed. The present study thus demonstrated that phenolic compounds of processed millets were bioaccessible and colonic fermentation released the phenolics bound to the insoluble fibre in the grain.     

Soymilk phenolic compounds,isoflavones and antioxidant activity as affected by in vitro gastrointestinal digestion

The aim of this research was to evaluate changes in the phenolic compounds, isoflavones and antioxidant activity of soymilk following in vitro gastrointestinal digestion (including dialysis). Gastric digestion significantly influenced the release of bioactive substances from the soymilk matrix, increasing the concentration of total phenolic components (35% as the sum of individuals and 14% by Folin–Ciocalteu [F–C] method), total isoflavone content (22%) and total antioxidant activity (76%). The concentration of all those compounds was reduced significantly in the duodenal fraction in comparison to gastric digestion and their lowest concentration was observed in the dialysed fraction, where phenolic acids were not detected. The bioaccessibility of soymilk phenolic compounds was 15% as the sum of individuals and 20% by F–C assay; isoflavones 36% and constituents with antioxidant activity 27%. Results suggest that most of these compounds were sufficiently available to be absorbed and could contribute health benefits.     

Changes in Quality and Nutritional Parameters During Refrigerated Storage of an Orange Juice–Milk Beverage Treated by Equivalent Thermal and Non-thermal Processes for Mild Pasteurization

The effects of high-pressure (HP) treatment (400?MPa at 42 °C for 5 min) and pulsed electric field (PEF) processing (25 kV/cm at 57 °C for 280 μs) on ascorbic acid, total carotenoids, total phenolic compounds and total antioxidant capacity (TEAC and ORAC) of an orange juice–milk (OJ-M) beverage along the storage time at 4 °C were compared with a conventional heat preservation technology used in industry (90 °C for 15 s). During storage, ascorbic acid, total carotenoids and antioxidant capacity (TEAC) depleted with time regardless of the treatment applied. Instead, total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity measured by the ORAC method increased at the end of the storage. Non-thermal-treated beverage had less non-enzymatic browning than the thermally pasteurized one. There were no significant variations in the hidroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content of the HP- and PEF-treated OJ-M, whilst a significant increase was obtained after thermal treatment. During refrigerated storage, HMF was always below the maximum values established. The HP treatments reduced the L* value of the treated beverages immediately after processing and during refrigerated storage and induced an increase in total colour differences of beverages treated by HP compared with PEF and thermally processed orange juice–milk. Hence, alternative methods such as HP and PEF may give new opportunities to develop orange juice–milk with an equivalent shelf life to that of thermally treated orange juice mixed with milk in terms of microbial, physicochemical and nutritional characteristics.     

Effect of manure and mineral fertilisation on pepper nutritional quality

BACKGROUND: The influence of farming systems on fruit quality remains controversial and the different aspects associated with each agricultural management system need to be studied separately to elucidate any specific effect on fruit quality. To this end, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to examine the effect of the usual fertilisation guidelines for pepper cultivation on the nutritional quality of fruits (sugars, vitamin C, total phenolic compounds, chlorophylls, total carotenoids and antioxidant activities in the hydrophilic (HAA) and lipophilic (LAA) fractions). Treatments included manure amendment combined with synthetic fertiliser applied at the rates recommended for organic (T1), low‐input (T2) and conventional (T3) practices. RESULTS: Pepper composition was not affected by increasing mineral fertilisation. In addition, treatment had no significant effect on HAA or LAA. The antioxidant activity of both the hydrophilic and lipophilic fractions increased from the green to the red stage of ripening. HAA contributed about 80% of the total antioxidant activity. CONCLUSION: Pepper response to mineral fertilisation seems to be less pronounced than that of other fruits, since antioxidant concentrations did not increase with increasing fertiliser application. Antioxidant activity in pepper was mainly linked to hydrophilic compounds (vitamin C and phenolic compounds). Ripening was the most important factor determining the fruit antioxidant composition. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Spray-drying microencapsulation of pomegranate juice increases its antioxidant activity after in vitro digestion

Most of the work on pomegranate antioxidant and antibacterial activity has been carried out with solvent extracts of different plant or fruit parts. Biosensitive compounds in juice may be subject to oxidation, reducing their biological activities. Microencapsulation can be used to protect compounds, allowing its incorporation into functional foods. This study aimed at investigating antioxidant activity after in vitro digestion of microencapsulated juice. Pomegranate juice was encapsulated by spray drying its maltodextrin and gum arabic. The average diameter of the microcapsules was 10–50 µm. We evaluated the bioaccessibility of microencapsulated phenolic compounds by using an in vitro enzymatic digestion. The total phenolic content in digested microencapsulated juice was three times greater than in undigested, indicating that the compounds were made bioaccessible. Digestion also increased antioxidant activity, as measured by ABTS●+ or by DPPH●. Additionally, microencapsulated pomegranate juice showed antibacterial activity against the nine bacteria species tested.     

Portuguese wild mushrooms at the “pharma–nutrition” interface: Nutritional characterization and antioxidant properties

The search for foods that might improve health or reduce disease risk, has been progressively gaining interest. Mushroom could be examples of these foods, presenting the additional advantage of being recognized as a delicacy. This feature might place mushrooms in the pharma–nutrition interface. Herein, eight different mushroom species were characterized in terms of nutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, fat, individual sugars, fatty acids) and bioactive compounds (tocopherols, carotenoids, organic acids and phenolic compounds) with recognized antioxidant properties. These medicinal properties are often related with the antioxidant potential presented by mushroom extracts. Boletus regius was the species with the highest levels of carbohydrates (88.79 g/100 g dw) and PUFA (56.55%), bioactive compounds such as tocopherols (763.80 μg/100 g dw), citric acid (3.32 g/100 g dw) and phenolic compounds (23.49 mg/100 g dw), including two chrysin derivatives, presenting also the highest antioxidant activity. The identified bioactive compounds might be used as nutraceuticals to prevent chronic diseases related with oxidative stress. Furthermore, all tested species are edible, and could be incorporated directly in diet acting as functional foods.     

单双脂肪酸甘油酯/磷脂复配对婴儿配方奶粉乳液中脂溶性营养素生物可给性的影响

以婴儿配方奶粉乳液为模型,采用体外消化模型研究单双脂肪酸甘油酯和磷脂复配对脂溶性营养素(维生素D、类胡萝卜素)生物可给性的影响。结果表明,在小肠消化过程中,单双脂肪酸甘油酯和磷脂的添加能显著提高奶粉模型乳液体系中脂溶性营养素(维生素D等)的胶束化,并有效提升其生物可给性,有利于促进脂溶性营养素的吸收效率和生物利用率,使其消化行为更为接近母乳。同时,不同组成结构单双脂肪酸甘油脂的添加均可提升脂溶性营养素的生物可给性,其中油酸结构的存在对脂溶性营养素生物可给性的提升效果最佳。     

Protein quality and antioxidant properties of soymilk derived from black soybean after in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion

Protein quality and antioxidant properties of soymilk derived from black soybean (eight varieties) in China were analysed following in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion (including dialysis). Soymilk from black soybean possessed high okara weight but low yield, protein content and sensory scores. The in vitro digestibility of protein in all black soymilk samples was higher than 60%, and the Shenmu black soybean exhibited the highest digestibility. Non-digested milk from the black soybean exhibited significantly high total phenolic content (TPC) (127.15–173.04 mg/100 mL), ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) (272.18–366.27 μmol L⁻¹) and DPPH free radical-scavenging activity (61.20–83.81%). These parameters were significantly lower in the non-digested soymilk than those in soymilk after gastric digestion but higher than those of soymilk in the dialysed fraction. Gastric digestion significantly increased bioactive compound levels released from black soymilk, and the bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds was 24.37–36.05%. Hence, black soymilk was sufficiently available for human absorption.     

Antioxidant activity,functional properties and bioaccessibility of whey protein hydrolysates

The main objective of this study was to produce the functionally improved whey protein hydrolysate with high bioaccessible antioxidant activity. The hydrolysate with highest antioxidant activity, mainly composed of hydrophilic antioxidant peptides and suitable for preventing oxidation in polar food matrices, was produced by tryptic hydrolysis conducted at 37 °C and an enzyme/substrate (E/S) ratio of 0.5%. The hydrolysate exerted significantly improved antioxidant activity (80.0%), digestibility (95.9%) and bioaccessibility (124.6%) compared to the native whey proteins (32.1%, 87.1% and 106.3%, respectively) as widely used food supplement. The high bioaccessibility indicates the preservation of hydrolysate bioactivity during the process of gastrointestinal digestion, as a particular challenge in its application.     

Citharexylum solanaceum fruit extracts: Profiles of phenolic compounds and carotenoids and their relation with ROS and RNS scavenging capacities

Citharexylum solanaceum is a native fruit from Brazil, which both bioactive compounds and antioxidant potential were not yet investigated. Thus, the freeze-dried extracts of seed and pulp + skin of C. solanaceum fruits were obtained after solid-liquid extraction with ethanol and their bioactive compounds composition, namely phenolic compounds and carotenoids, were determined. The antioxidant capacity of both extracts against physiologically relevant reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) was further investigated. Both C. solanaceum extracts showed high contents of phenolic compounds; however, pulp + skin extract presented 2.4-times more phenolic compounds (33.54 mg/g) than the seed extract (14.09 mg/g). Verbascoside (phenylpropanoid) was the major compound identified in both extracts (11–25 mg/g). Regarding the carotenoid composition, all-trans-lutein (14–42 μg/g) and all-trans-β-carotene (13–44 μg/g) were the major compounds in both extracts. The high content of phenolic compounds and carotenoids in pulp + skin extract might explain its higher scavenging capacity against all the ROS/RNS as compared to seed extract. In general, both extracts showed better scavenging capacity for the RNS than for the ROS. Our results indicate that C. solanaceum fruits can be explored as an important natural source of antioxidant compounds.     

Phenolic composition,antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of free and bound phenolic extracts of Moringa oleifera seed flour

Phenolic compounds, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of defatted Moringa oleifera seed flour (DMF) were investigated. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were measured using colorimetric methods. Free phenolic acid and flavonoid profiles were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography, while antioxidant capacities were evaluated using scavenging assays of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power and total antioxidant capacity. The results showed that extractability of phenolic compounds was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in bound phenolic extract (4173.00 ± 32.22 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 g) than in free phenolic extract (780.00 ± 14.2 mg GAE/100 g) and it showed higher antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The IC₅₀ value for DPPH radical scavenging activity was 0.9 ± 0.05 and 14.9 ± 0.07 mg/mL for bound phenolic and free phenolic extracts, respectively. Bound phenolic extract was more effective (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), 0.06–0.157%) than free phenolic extract (MIC, 0.117–0.191%) against tested bacteria. Ten phenolic compounds (gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, protocatechuic acid, cinnamic acid, catechin, epicatechin, vanillin and quercetin) were identified and quantified in both extracts. These natural plant phenolics from Moringa seeds could be a good source of antioxidants and antibacterials for food and pharmaceutical industries.     

Influence of high-intensity pulsed electric field processing parameters on antioxidant compounds of broccoli juice

The effect of high-intensity pulsed electric field (HIPEF) processing parameters (electric field strength, treatment time, and polarity) on broccoli juice carotenoids, vitamin C, total phenolic (TP) content and antioxidant capacity (AC) was evaluated. Results obtained from HIPEF-processed broccoli juice were compared with those of thermally treated (90 °C/60 s) and untreated juices. HIPEF processing parameters influenced the relative content (RC) of bioactive compounds, and the relative AC (RAC). Maximum RC of lutein (121.2%), β-carotene (130.5%), TP (96.1%), vitamin C (90.1%) and RAC (5.9%) was reached between 25 and 35 kV/cm and from 2000 μs to 500 μs. The highest RAC and RC of bioactive compounds were observed in HIPEF treatments applied in bipolar mode, except for vitamin C. HIPEF-treated broccoli juice exhibited greater RC of bioactive compounds and RAC than juice treated by heat. HIPEF technology could be considered a promising option for preserving the antioxidant quality of broccoli juice.Industrial relevanceVegetable juices are becoming more and more popular because of their wide range of health-related compounds. Particularly, broccoli juice is attracting the food industry attention because it contains high amounts of vitamins, carotenoids and phenolic compounds, among other bioactive compounds. Broccoli juice requires treatment conditions that protect its microbial, nutritional and sensorial quality. HIPEF is a non-thermal technology for liquid food preservation that inactivates microorganisms and enzymes without compromising the nutritional and sensorial features of foods. Consequently, this technology could be used in the food industry as an alternative for thermal treatment to preserve the bioactive compounds present in vegetable juices, offering to consumers a healthy product.     

Screening of antioxidant activity and antioxidant compounds of some edible plants of Thailand

A large number of plants, which have been used as food and herbs in Thailand, were investigated for their antioxidant activity by using a β-carotene bleaching method. The contents of plant chemicals, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, tannin, and total phenolics, were also determined. The results showed that the highest antioxidant activity was found in the plant Gymnema inodorum, followed by Piper sarmentosum and Mentha arvensis, respectively. G. inodorum also contained the highest amount of vitamin E, and M. arvensis contained the highest amount of total xanthophylls. Correlations between the chemical content of each plant and the antioxidant index were observed. The results suggest that chemicals such as vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds are the contributors to the antioxidant activity in the plants.     

Chemical composition of wild edible mushrooms and antioxidant properties of their water soluble polysaccharidic and ethanolic fractions

Mushrooms have become attractive as functional foods and as a source of physiologically beneficial bioactive compounds. Herein, we describe and compare the chemical constituents (phenolic compounds, macronutrients, sugars, fatty acids, tocopherols and ascorbic acid) of four wild edible mushrooms widely appreciated in gastronomy: Armillaria mellea (Vahl) P. Kumm., Calocybe gambosa (Fr.) Donk, Clitocybe odora (Fr.) P. Kumm., Coprinus comatus (O.F. Müll.) Pers. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of their water soluble polysaccharidic and ethanolic fractions was studied by three different in vitro assays. C. comatus revealed the highest concentrations of sugars (43.23/100 g dry weight), PUFA (77.46%), phenolic compounds (45.02 mg/kg), tocopherols (301.03 μg/100 g) and, among all of the fractions tested, its ethanolic fraction showed the highest antioxidant activity (EC₅₀ < 2.6 mg/ml). C. odora revealed one of the highest ascorbic acid (172.65 mg/100 g) contents and its water soluble polysaccharidic fraction showed the best antioxidant properties (EC₅₀ < 3.6 mg/ml) among the polysaccharidic fractions. The studied mushrooms species could potentially be used in well-balanced diets and as a source of bioactive compounds.     

Antioxidative phenolic constituents of skins of onion varieties and their activities

The antioxidant activity of phenolic constituent of skin and selected flesh of different coloured onions (Pearl, Red, Yellow and White) were determined. The green shoot obtained after sprouting of the red onion was also analyzed to study the changes in the phenolic constituents during germination. For the first time, all tests were carried out separately for the free, esterified and insoluble-bound phenolic constituents of onion samples. The content of phenolics extracted from onion skins was approximately six times higher than that of their flesh counterparts. Among onion varieties, pearl onion skin showed the highest phenolic content (26.4 mg quercetin eq/g freeze dried sample). A similar trend was observed for free radical scavenging activity of the tested samples. Extracts from edible part of onion showed lower activity in all antioxidant tests carried out. The HPLC–MS analysis showed that quercetin 3,4′-diglucoside, quercetin, and kaempferol were the predominant phenolics in all onion extracts tested.     

Effect of heat treatment on the content of some bioactive compounds and free radical-scavenging activity in pungent and non-pungent peppers

Raw and heat-treated (boiled and grilled) pungent and non-pungent peppers (poblano, bell, chilaca, caribe, jalapeño, serrano, habanero and manzano) were evaluated for their content of some bioactive compounds and free radical-scavenging activity. Boiling and grilling were performed under household conditions. Ascorbic acid content in raw peppers varied from 306 to 3438 μg/g. This content was reduced 15–87% by heat treatments. Total carotenoids content in raw peppers ranged between 1 and 156 μg/g. β-Carotene represented 3–78% of total carotenoids in raw peppers. β-Carotene content was reduced (1–45%) by heat treatments. Free radical-scavenging activity varied widely (7–101 μmol TE/g) in raw peppers. Boiling and grilling reduced (6–93%) sequentially the antiradical activity of pungent peppers. In contrast, gradual increases of antiradical activity in non-pungent peppers were induced by boiling and grilling. Household heat treatment altered highly the content of bioactive/antioxidant compounds in tested peppers.     

Effect of in vitro‐simulated gastrointestinal digestion on the stability and antioxidant activity of blueberry polyphenols and their cellular antioxidant activity towards HepG2 cells

In this study we investigated the influence of in vitro‐simulated gastrointestinal digestion on the bioaccessibility and antioxidant activity of polyphenols from blueberries (Vaccinium spp.). Total phenolic, anthocyanin, and flavonoid content was determined, and extract and digesta compositions were analysed by HPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS. The phenolic compounds were relatively stable under a gastric environment, whereas polyphenols and anthocyanins were unstable under an intestinal environment. The bioaccessibility of polyphenol, anthocyanin, and flavonoid was greatly decreased after the intestinal digestion, and the recoveries were only 13.93%, 1.95%, and 15.68% (the IN sample), respectively. Polyphenolic profile alteration occurred during in vitro‐simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Changes of phenolic compound antioxidant activity during digestion correlated with polyphenol, flavonoid, and caffeic acid concentrations. Digested extract cellular antioxidant activity was lower than non‐digested extract activity (P < 0.05). Polyphenol dose–response correlations with cellular antioxidant activity were observed. These results indicated that in vitro‐simulated gastrointestinal digestion significantly impact polyphenols and their antioxidant activity.     

Quantitative bioactive compounds assessment and their relative contribution to the antioxidant capacity of commercial orange juices

Dietary recommendations for healthy eating include the consumption of fruit juices whose health effects are ascribed, in part, to carotenoids, phenolic compounds and vitamin C. These bioactive compounds have been implicated in the reduction of degenerative human diseases, mainly due to their antioxidant potential. Orange juice is characterized by substantial accumulation (apart from ascorbic acid) of flavonoids and carotenoids. Commercial orange juice is the main human dietary source of antioxidant compounds in developed countries. The qualitative and quantitative determination of carotenoid, flavonoid and vitamin C content of Spanish commercial orange juices was achieved by high‐performance liquid chromatography. The health‐related properties of bioactive compounds contained in orange juice are based on their antioxidant activity. The antioxidant capacity of these juices was assessed by 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl stable radical scavenging and was compared with a freshly squeezed orange juice. In addition, the relative contribution of the different bioactive compounds to the antioxidant activity of orange juices was calculated. Total vitamin C was found to be the major contributor to the antioxidant potential of the orange juices studied, followed by flavonoid and carotenoid compounds. Ascorbic acid, total vitamin C and β‐cryptoxanthin content correlated positively with the free‐radical scavenging parameters. No significant differences, in terms of antioxidant capacity, were found between commercial traditional pasteurized orange juices and freshly squeezed orange juice. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Characterisation of antioxidant compounds in sweet bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) under organic and conventional growing systems

BACKGROUND: Sweet red bell pepper is one of the best sources of ascorbic acid and carotenoids as well as phenolic compounds important in the human diet. There have been some studies showing a higher level of bioactive compounds in organic bell pepper fruits compared with conventional fruits, but not all studies have been consistent in this respect. The levels of carotenoids and phenolics are very variable and may be affected by ripeness, genotype and cultivation. RESULTS: The results obtained in this study showed that an organic growing system affected the level of bioactive compounds (carotenoids and polyphenols) in sweet bell pepper fruits cultivated in Poland. Organic bell pepper fruits contained significantly more dry matter, vitamin C, total carotenoids, β‐carotene, α‐carotene, cis‐β‐carotene, total phenolic acids (as well as individual gallic and chlorogenic acids) and flavonoids (quercetin D ‐glucoside, quercetin and kaempferol) compared with conventional fruits. The bell pepper variety also affected the level of antioxidant compounds in fruits. CONCLUSION: Organic growing increased the level of antioxidant compounds such as carotenoids, phenolic compounds and vitamin C in sweet bell pepper. The second significant factor affecting the antioxidant compound content of sweet bell pepper was variety. It would be necessary to continue this study as a long‐term experiment in order to eliminate the influence of seasonality. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Changes of heat-treated soymilks in bioactive compounds and their antioxidant activities under in vitro gastrointestinal digestion

To investigate the influence of in vitro gastrointestinal digestion on contents of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities of heat-treated soymilks, changes of total phenolics content (TPC), total flavonoids content (TFC), content and profile of isoflavones, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were assayed after different heat treatments (at 95 °C for 20, 40, 60 min; 121 °C for 3, 6, 9 min and 143 °C for 20, 40, 60 s respectively) and gastrointestinal digestion. Results showed that digestion significantly influenced the contents of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities of soymilks. Increases of DPPH radical scavenging activity, FRAP and ORAC of the heat-treated soymilks after gastric digestion were consistent with the increases of TPC (110.68–152.60 %) and TFC (4.48–31.10 %). In the dialysate fractions as the absorbable and utilized part, it was found that TPC, TFC, isoflavones and antioxidant activities (DPPH radical scavenging activity, FRAP and ORAC) were significantly decreased as compared with the gastric digestion fractions and duodenal fractions. Analysis showed that the bioaccessibility of TPC reached 107.17–125.14 %, TFC reached 34.63–67.19 % and total isoflavones reached 34.40–41.22 %, respectively, indicating the rich bioaccessible compounds in soymilk. Daidzein and its derivates were proven as the most bioaccessible isoflavones (about 36.99–44.14 %). Glucoside isoflavones showed the highest bioaccessibilities followed by malonylglucosides, acetylglucosides and aglycones. Overall, the soymilks treated at 95 °C and 60 min and 121 °C and 9 min had higher bioactive compounds contents, antioxidant activities and bioaccessibilities in the dialysate fractions.