Berry juices, teas, antioxidants and the prevention of atherosclerosis in hamsters

The effects of raspberry, strawberry and bilberry juices and green and black tea on early atherosclerosis in hamsters were investigated. They received an atherogenic diet and at the same time either a juice or a tea at a daily dose corresponding to the consumption of 275 ml by a 70 kg human. After 12 weeks berry juices and teas inhibited aortic lipid deposition by 79–96% and triggered reduced activity of hepatic antioxidant enzymes, not accompanied by lowered plasma cholesterol. These findings suggest that moderate consumption of berry juices and teas can help prevent the development of early atherosclerosis. There were substantial differences between the five beverages in terms of composition and concentration of individual phenolic compounds that were present. This indicates that anti-atherosclerotic effects can be induced by a diversity of phenolic compounds rather than a few specific components. The possible mechanisms by which this is brought about are discussed.     

不同品种枇杷果实酚类物质及其抗氧化活性分析

以福建主产\     

Phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of Thai and Eri silk sericins

The present study investigates the phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of silk sericin extracted (SSE) from Thai mulberry silkworms (Bombyx mori) and non-mulberry silkworm (Samia ricini). The SSE from all strains revealed the mainly presence of flavonoid compounds including (+)-catechin (20.63–145.64 mg/100 g), quercetin (7.89–35.95 mg/100 g), and (−)-epicatechin (3.36–44.19 mg/100 g). The antioxidant activity of the SSE with water from Chokumnoui 1 was found to have low EC50 values (0.96 mg/mL), the concentrations of the SSE that exhibit 50% reduction in DPPH, and highest scavenging of ABTS^{· +} radicals (1.73 mg TEAC/g) and highest reduce TPRZ-Fe (III) complex to TPTZ-Fe (II) (8.03 mg Fe(II)/g), thus indicating high antioxidant activities. Total phenolic content and total flavonoid content of the SSE showed positive correlated to the scavenging activity of DPPH and ABTS^{· +} radicals and the ferric reducing ability (FRAP assay).     

Phenolic compounds and the biological effects of Pu-erh teas with long-term storage

Pu-erh tea has gained more and more popularity and attracted much attention for its various biological effects. The objective of this study was to determine the active phenolic compounds and the biological effects of 15 differently aged Pu-erh teas. The results showed that 43 active phenolics, containing 7 flavan-3-ols, 11 organic acids, and esters, 3 proanthocyanidin dimers, 2 benzotropolones, and 20 flavonoid glycosides were identified based on high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionisation and quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS). In particular, 2’-O-galloylhyperin and quercetin-3-O-p-coumaroyl-rhamnosyl-arabinosyl-hexoside were identified from constituents of tea for the first time. The 15 Pu-erh teas exhibited strong DPPH and ABTS scavenging activity in a concentration-dependent manner with IC₅₀ 0.99–2.12 and 0.97–2.67 mmol Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity/g, respectively. All of the Pu-erh teas tested significantly inhibited the proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells, in a dosage-dependent manner. Of the 15 Pu-erh teas examined, the cake tea P6 had the strongest effect on SMMC-7721 cells with IC₅₀ = 65.88 ± 3.53 µg/mL. The others Pu-erh teas had an IC₅₀ = 96 – 509 µg/mL. Our results also indicated that not all the older Pu-erh teas display stronger anti-activities and anti-cancer than the younger ones and the youngest Pu-erh tea did not possess the highest level of active components. This study provides useful information for consumers to deeply understand the chemical constituents and bioactivity of Pu-erh tea preserved for a long time.     

圆叶葡萄种子发育过程中多酚积累特性

以栽培于广西地区2 个圆叶葡萄品种‘Noble’和‘Carlos’为实验材料,以真葡萄品种‘赤霞珠’和‘雷司令’为对照,使用超高效液相色谱-串联三重四极杆飞行时间质谱,分析其种子发育过程中多酚组成和积累特性。结果表明：在4种葡萄发育过程的种子样品中共检测到106种多酚,包括48种鞣花酸及前体物、24种黄酮醇、20种羟基苯甲酸、9种黄烷-3-醇、3种芪类和2种羟基肉桂酸。鞣花酸及前体物（主要是前体物）和黄烷-3-醇（主要是没食子酰化体和单体）分别是圆叶葡萄和真葡萄种子中最主要的多酚类型,但其含量在不同年份和品种间具有较大差异。前体物含量在圆叶葡萄‘Noble’幼果期种子中较高,然后逐渐下降,完全转色后再次上升;‘Carlos’则在浆果转色前种子中含量较高,随后略有下降。黄烷-3-醇在真葡萄‘雷司令’种子中2013年随着浆果发育含量显著升高,转色时含量达到最高,随后有所下降,2014年不受发育期的影响;‘赤霞珠’则分别在2013年幼果期和2014年果实完熟时的种子中含量最高。     

Phenolic composition of rhubarb

Extracts of different parts (leaves, petioles and rhizomes) of domestic garden rhubarb (hybrids of Rheum rhabarbarum L. and Rheum rhaponticum L.) were investigated for their content of phenolic ingredients. Two stilbenes (trans-rhapontigenin, trans-desoxyrhapontigenin), five stilbene glycosides (trans-rhaponticin, cis- and trans-desoxyrhaponticin, trans-resveratrol-4′-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, trans-piceatannol-3′-O-β-d-glucopyranoside) and seven flavonoids [rutin, quercetin-3-O-glucuronide, isovitexin, 6,8-di-C-β-d-glucosylapigenin, 6-C-β-d-glucosyl-8-C-β-d-arabinosylapigenin (schaftoside), 6-C-β-d-arabinosyl-8-C-β-d-glycosylapigenin (isoschaftoside), (+)-catechin] were unequivocally established. Separation was done in two steps. Multilayer countercurrent chromatography was applied to separate different extracts of plant material. Preparative HPLC was then used to obtain pure substances. The purity and identity of isolated compounds was confirmed by different NMR experiments, HR-MS and HPLC-DAD analysis.     

滁州绿茶儿茶素组成及其抗氧化活性

采用超高液相色谱（Ultra high performance liquid chromatography,UPLC）分析了7种滁州绿茶的儿茶素组成,并采用总抗氧化能力法（Total antioxidant capacity assay,TEAC）评价了7种绿茶的抗氧化能力。结果表明,7种滁州绿茶的儿茶素含量均较丰富,其中阳春白雪一级儿茶素含量最高,为78.93 mg/g。7种绿茶的表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯（（-）-epigallocatechin gallate,EGCG）含量在24.28³3.89 mg/g之间,是含量最丰富的儿茶素单体。除此之外,滁州绿茶中没食子儿茶素（（-）-Gallocatechin,GC）、表没食子儿茶素（（-）-Epigallocatechin,EGC）和表儿茶素没食子酸酯（（-）-Epicatechin gallate,ECG）的含量也较高。抗氧化活性实验证明,总儿茶素、EGCG和ECG的含量与滁州绿茶抗氧化能力具有显著的相关性。      

Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of carrot fruit essential oil: Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity

Isolation of carrot fruit (Daucus carrota L., cultivar “Chanteney”) essential oil by supercritical carbon dioxide was investigated from the pretreatment of herbaceous matrix and extraction conditions to the chemical composition of obtained extract and its antimicrobial activity. The qualitative and quantitative analyses of the supercritical extract, as well as of the essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation, were done by GC/FID and GC/MS methods. Antimicrobial properties of both samples were investigated against ten species of microorganisms. Experimental results showed that the particle size had no influence on the extraction process. The highest yield was obtained at 40 °C and 10 MPa. The main component of the supercritical extract, as well as of the essential oil was carotol. The supercritical extract was characterized by the presence of heavier molecular weight compounds, while some lighter compounds, e.g. pinenes, were not detected. The supercritical extract and the essential oil were the most effective against Gram-positive bacteria.     

The composition of polyphenols and methylxanthines in teas and herbal infusions

The popularity of tea is increasing on the global aspect because of its role as a significant source of phenolic compounds in human diet. The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the phenolic and methylxanthine composition as well as the antioxidant capacity of white, green, Oolong and black teas, and chamomile and linden infusions depending on the extraction conditions (water temperature and multiple extractions). The content of total phenols and total flavonoids in teas and herbal infusions was determined by using UV/vis spectrophotometric methods, whilst individual polyphenols (phenolic acids and flavan-3-ols) and methylxanthines were identified and quantified by using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detection. In order to determine the antioxidant capacity of teas the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assays were applied. The highest content of phenolic compounds was determined in green tea, which also demonstrated the highest antioxidant capacity, whilst herbal infusions were characterised with the lowest content of phenolic compounds, as well as the lowest antioxidant capacity. The highest content of caffeine, as the most abundant methylxanthine, was determined in black tea. Extraction at 100 °C is the most effective to extract the highest content of polyphenols and methylxanthines in all studied teas.     

Phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of white mulberry (Morus alba L.) fruits

Eight major mulberry cultivars [Nakhonratchasima 60 (NS 60), Buriram 60 (BR 60), Chumphon (CP), Wavee (WV), Chaingmai (CM), Pikultong (PT), Kamphaengsaen (KS) and Kamnanchul (KJ)] cultivated in Thailand were assessed for their flavonoid and phenolic acid composition using HPLC and tested for antioxidant potential using 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl hydrate (DPPH) assay. The total phenolic content (TPC) ranged from 104.78 to 213.53 mg GAE/100 g DW, and total flavonoid content (TFC) ranged from 69.58 to 211.01 mg CE/100 g DW. The major flavonoid compounds in mulberry fruit cultivars were (+)‐catechin (309.26–750.01 mg/100 g DW), procyanidin B1 (62.59–224.41 mg/100 g DW), quercetin (5.36–58.42 mg/100 g DW), rutin (18.73–26.90 mg/100 g DW) and (?)‐epicatechin (8.47–29.21 mg/100 g DW). Gallic acid, cinnamic acid and p‐hydroxybenzoic acid were found to be the major phenolic acids in mulberry fruit cultivars. The gallic acid and cinnamic acid contents ranged from 7.33 to 23.90 mg/100 g DW and from 11.64 to 15.05 mg/100 g DW, respectively. p‐Hydroxybenzoic acid content ranged from 1.77 mg/100 g DW (PT) to 7.13 mg/100 g DW (KJ). DPPH‐scavenging ability was excellent for ethanolic extract of NS 60, and EC₅₀ value of NS 60 (241.83 μg mL^?1) was significantly lower than those of the others (P < 0.05). TPC and TFC of the mulberry fruit were positively correlated with the DPPH‐scavenging ability.     

Phenolic profile and antioxidant activity of the Algerian ripe date palm fruit (Phoenix dactylifera)

The aim of this study was to determine the phenolic profile of seven different varieties of ripe date palm fruit (Phoenix dactylifera) from Algeria by LC–DAD–MS (ESI+), to investigate their respective antioxidant activities by the DPPH^· method and to estimate their phenolic content using the Folin–Ciocalteu method. The total phenolic content was in the range of 2.49 ± 0.01 to 8.36 ± 0.60 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per 100 g fresh fruit. This fruit was shown to possess an antioxidant activity, giving values of antiradical efficient (AE) from 0.08 ± 0.00 to 0.22 ± 0.00. The phenolic contents and the antiradical efficiencies of the different varieties were highly correlated (R²=0.975). All the varieties were found to contain mainly p-coumaric, ferulic and sinapic acids and some cinnamic acid derivatives. Three different isomers of 5-o-caffeoylshikimic acid were detected. Different types of flavonoids were identified, mainly flavones, flavanones and flavonol glycosides.     

Phenolic composition,colour, antioxidant activity and mineral profile of Cabernet Sauvignon wines

Phenolic compounds and mineral content constitute important quality parameters of wines. It is probably during ageing, that the greatest number of polymerisation and condensation reactions occurs, notably modifying the composition of the wine. The aim of this study was to characterise Cabernet Sauvignon wines of different vintages from two regions in Santa Catarina State, Brazil. It was not possible to clearly observe an evolution of the phenolic content and colour parameters in the different vintages of the wines. The ABTS method gave higher antioxidant value than DPPH, which showed higher correlation with total polyphenols. Principal components analysis showed differences between the wines, especially in relation to vintage. Also, the study allowed a clear separation of wines in relation to place of vineyards in terms of mineral composition.     

Analysis of mineral composition of some Assam and Darjeeling black teas

Black teas manufactured in Darjeeling and Assam were analysed for various macrominerals such as P, K, Ca, Mg and microminerals such as Mn, Fe and Cu. A considerable amount of minerals, eg K (40-46 mg), Mg (2.7-3.0 mg), Ca (0.48-0.66 mg) and traces of Mn (0.28-0.40 mg), Fe (0.16-0.20 mg), P (29-41 μg) and Cu (12-22 μg) were found in a cup of black tea brew. Black teas manufactured from the leaf coming from a pruned section and fine portion usually showed higher mineral content than tea manufactured from unpruned sections and coarse grade teas of Darjeeling. Assam CTC tea was found to be richer in mineral content compared to Darjeeling orthodox tea.     

Antioxidant capacity and phenolic composition of fermented Centella asiatica herbal teas

BACKGROUND: C. asiatica was exposed to various fermentations: no fermentation (0 min), partial fermentation (120 min) and full fermentation (24 h). Total phenolic content (TPC) and ferric‐reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of C. asiatica infusions were studied as a function of water temperature (60, 80 or 100 °C), the brewing stage (one, two or three) and the brewing time (1, 3, 5, 10, 15 or 20 min). The optimum brewing procedure was adopted to study the antioxidant properties and phenolic compounds in C. asiatica infusions. RESULTS: The optimum extraction efficiency of C. asiatica infusions was achieved at 100 °C after a 10 min brewing time, and decreased substantially after applying multiple brewing steeps. However, no significant different was found between the second and third infusions. The non‐fermented C. asiatica (CANF) infusion had the highest antioxidant activity. Gallic acid, naringin, chlorogenic acid, catechin, rutin, rosmarinic acid and quercetin were identified to present. Luteolin and kaempferol were only found in 80% methanol extraction method. CONCLUSION: C. asiatica herbal teas should be prepared at 100 °C for 10 min to obtain the optimum antioxidant capacity. Multiple brewing steps in C. asiatica herbal tea are encouraged due to the certain amount of antioxidant obtained. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

黄参籽可溶性酯结合酚和糖苷结合酚的组成及其抗氧化活性

采用HPLC-MS对黄参籽可溶性酯结合酚和糖苷结合酚的组成进行了分析,并通过DPPH自由基清除活性、FRAP、TEAC、对羟基自由基介导的2-脱氧-D-核糖裂解的抑制作用以及对DNA氧化损伤的保护作用对黄参籽酚提取物的抗氧化能力进行了评价。结果显示,黄参籽可溶性酯结合酚中主要的酚类化合物为咖啡酸、木犀草素葡萄糖苷和儿茶酸葡萄糖苷,可溶性糖苷结合酚中主要的酚类化合物为儿茶酸葡萄糖苷;黄参籽可溶性酯结合酚的DPPH自由基清除活性、铁还原力和Trolox等量抗氧化活性均弱于可溶性糖苷结合酚;相反,对羟基自由基介导的2-脱氧-D-核糖裂解的抑制作用强于可溶性糖苷结合酚;测试浓度范围内,黄参籽酚提取物对DNA氧化损伤具有不同程度的保护作用,且可溶性酯结合酚提取物酚含量与保护作用之间存在显著（p<0.05）的正相关。      

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.     

8种发酵茶茶多酚含量及抗氧化活性分析

发酵茶是茶叶中的一大类,品种繁多,各具特色,深受消费者的喜爱。该实验选取8种发酵茶,对茶浸提液的茶多酚含量和体外抗氧化活性进行了测定。结果表明,滇红茶样品2的茶多酚含量较高,为10%,青砖茶样品2较低,为3.4%;普洱茶样品1的1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼（DPPH）自由基清除率较高,为80.5%,茯砖茶样品1较低,为64.2%;普洱茶样品2亚硝酸盐清除率较高,为71.0%,青砖茶样品1较低,为31.3%;滇红茶样品1亚硝胺合成阻断率较高,为95.0%,青砖茶样品2较低,为69.9%。表明8种发酵茶的抗氧化活性、亚硝酸盐清除能力及亚硝胺合成阻断能力与茶多酚含量有关但并不完全呈正相关。     

Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of quince fruit pulp collected from different locations

This study was carried out to examine the physicochemical and functional characteristics of quince fruit pulp. The matured quince fruits were collected from different locations of Poonch, AJ&;K, Pakistan. Significant differences (P ? 0.05) were found among fruits collected from these locations. The quince pulp has the following characteristics: pH (3.43), total soluble solids (14.22°Brix), acidity (1.25%), carbohydrate (13.38 g/100 g), reducing sugar (5.15 g/100 g), non-reducing sugar (4.61 g/100 g), moisture (84.27 g/100 g), ash (0.62 g/100 g), fat (0.24 g/100 g), protein (0.49 g/100 g), fiber (1.65 g/100 g), ascorbic acid (15.46 mg/100 g), and total phenolic (68.13 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g) and antioxidant activity (50.05%). This exploration is the basic direction, which highlights the nutritional characteristics of quince fruit grown in AJ&;K, Pakistan.     

Comparison of the polyphenolic composition and antioxidant activity of European commercial fruit juices

Thirty six commercial European fruit juices were tested to ascertain their antioxidant capacity and polyphenolic composition. Six of the products were labelled 100% pomegranate juice, the others included 20 brands of diluted pomegranate juice or pomegranate blended with other fruit juices and 10 different non-pomegranate fruit juices. The antioxidant capacity of all the juices was determined while anthocyanin, ellagitannin and ellagic acid profiles of the 26 pomegranate juices and pomegranate juice blends were obtained using HPLC-PDA-MS(2). Additional analysis was conducted on seven of the juices using HPLC with an on-line antioxidant detection system. Three of the "pure" pomegranate juices had the highest ellagitannin content and the highest antioxidant capacity. Only one of these three juices was rich in anthocyanins. The other "pure juices" had differences in their HPLC "pomegranate" fingerprint and also had a lower antioxidant capacity, in some cases lower than that of some of the blended juices. Vitamin C rather than phenolic compounds was the major contributor to the antioxidant capacity for some of the juices. Statistical analysis of both the antioxidant assay and the HPLC on-line antioxidant data demonstrated that the ellagitannins were the major antioxidants in the pomegranate juices. The complexity of the polyphenolic profile of pomegranates necessitates the use of HPLC-PDA-MS(2) for a thorough evaluation of juice composition and authenticity.     

Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of Korean cactus (Opuntia humifusa) fruit

The chemical composition and antioxidant activities of the Korean cactus (Opuntia humifusa, OH) fruit were investigated in this study. Major minerals in the OH fruit were P, Ca, and Mg. Total dietary fiber content was 22.8% and the soluble dietary fiber/insoluble dietary fiber ratio was 1:1.3. An 80% ethanol extract was used to investigate antioxidant activities based on DPPH radical scavenging ability as well as total phenolic and flavonoid content. OH fruit extract from 80% ethanol was sequentially fractionated according to the polarity of solvents. Among various fractions, the ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest antioxidant activity as well as the highest total phenolic and total flavonoid contents compared to other fractions. The most abundant phenolic acid in the ethyl acetate fraction was ferulic acid, followed by protocatechuic acid. The most abundant flavonoid was taxifolin, followed by myricetin. The results suggested that OH fruit could be a good potential source of antioxidant.