Angiotensin-I converting enzyme inhibitory and antioxidant activities of protein hydrolysates from Phaseolus lunatus and Phaseolus vulgaris seeds

Phaseolus lunatus and Phaseolus vulgaris protein concentrates were hydrolyzed with the enzymes Alcalase^® and Flavourzyme^® at different reaction times, and the angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE-I) inhibitory activity, antioxidant properties and amino acid composition measured in the hydrolysates. With Alcalase^®, the highest degree of hydrolysis (DH) in P. lunatus was 37.94% at 45 min, and in P. vulgaris was 49.48% at 30 min. With Flavourzyme^®, the highest DH's were 22.03% and 26.05%, respectively, both at 90 min. ACE-I inhibitory activity in the Alcalase^® hydrolysates was IC₅₀ = 0.056 mg mL⁻¹ for P. lunatus at 90 min, and IC₅₀ = 0.061 mg mL⁻¹ for P. vulgaris at 60 min. In the Flavourzyme^® hydrolysates this activity was IC₅₀ = 0.0069 mg mL⁻¹ for P. lunatus at 90 min and IC₅₀ = 0.127 mg mL⁻¹ for P. vulgaris at 45 min. In SDS-PAGE, the hydrolysates exhibited low molecular weight bands. Antioxidant activity was 11.55 mmol L⁻¹ TEAC mg⁻¹ protein for P. lunatus with Flavourzyme^® at 90 min and 10.09 mmol L⁻¹ TEAC mg⁻¹ protein for P. vulgaris with Alcalase^® at 60 min. Amino acid composition exhibited high amino acid hydrophobic residues content.     

Antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of common edible nut seeds

Frequent consumption of nuts has been linked to a lowered risk of cardiovascular disease. Phytochemicals, especially phenolics, in nuts may be considered to be the major bioactive compounds for health benefits. Nine types of tree nuts and peanuts commonly available in the United States were evaluated for total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant, and antiproliferative activities. The profiles of total phenolics and flavonoids, including both soluble free and bound forms, were investigated by utilizing solvent extraction, base digestion, and solid-phase extraction methods. Walnuts had the highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents (1580.5 ± 58.0 mg/100 g, 744.8 ± 93.3 mg/100 g, respectively). Walnuts also possessed the highest total antioxidant activity (458.1 ± 14.0 μmol of vitamin C equiv/g of nut). Both soluble phenolic and flavonoid contents were positively correlated with total antioxidant activity (R² = 0.9901, p < 0.05; and R² = 0.9749, p < 0.05, respectively). The proliferation of HepG₂ and Caco-2 cells was significantly inhibited in a dose-dependent pattern after exposure to the extracts of nuts, with walnuts and pecans exhibiting the highest antiproliferative activity. These results provide new knowledge about health functions of nuts and may influence consumers toward purchasing nuts exhibiting greater potential health benefits.     

Antioxidant activities from the aerial parts of Platycodon grandiflorum

In order to obtain basic data necessary for the utilisation of aerial parts from Platycodon grandiflorum as a functional substance in Korea, the antioxidant activities of solvent fractions from the ethanol extract of P. grandiflorum aerial parts were examined. The butanol fraction from P. grandiflorum showed the most potent antioxidant activities in each assay, showing 91.31% in the DPPH radical scavenging method, 99.62% in the ABTS radical scavenging method, 7.84% in the reducing power method, and 1.29% in the FRAP method at a concentration of 10 mg/ml. The DPPH, ABTS, reducing power, and FRAP assay indicated that the butanol fraction of aerial parts of P. grandiflorum was the most potent radical-scavengers and reducing agents compared to the other two extracts. Therefore, our study verified that the butanol fraction has strong antioxidant activities which are correlated with its high level of phenolics, particularly luteolin-7-O-glucoside and apigenin-7-O-glucoside. This extract of P. grandiflorum aerial parts can be utilised as an effective and safe source of functional food materials such as natural antioxidants.     

Compositions, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Helichrysum (Asteraceae) species collected from Turkey

The methanolic extracts of 16 Helichrysum species were investigated for their in vitro antioxidant, radical scavenging and antimicrobial activities. All the extracts showed strong antioxidant and radical scavenging activity. The highest total antioxidant capacity as ascorbic acid equivalents (AAE) of 194.64 mg/g dry extract was obtained for Helichrysum noeanum in the phosphomolybdenum assay. The highest IC₅₀ value (7.95 μg/ml) was observed for the extract of Helichrysum stoechas subsp. barellieri in the DPPH assay. The total phenolic contents of the extracts ranged from 66.74 to 160.63 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dry extract. The major component present in the extracts was identified as chlorogenic acid followed by apigenin-7-glucoside and apigenin by HPLC analysis. All the extracts showed significant antimicrobial activity against microorganisms containing 13 bacteria and two yeasts in the agar diffusion method.     

Antioxidant and metal chelating activities of Phaseolus vulgaris L. var. Jamapa protein isolates, phaseolin and lectin hydrolysates

A search in a database of potential bioactive short sequences in food proteins reveals that bioactive peptides with a variety of beneficial effects for cardiovascular health are present in the sequence of common bean proteins, including bioactive sequences with antioxidant properties. A protein isolate, the storage protein phaseolin and a lectin extract from Phaseolus vulgaris L. var. Jamapa, were hydrolyzed by treatment with pepsin and pancreatin in order to investigate the possible release of peptides with antioxidant and metal chelating properties. Antioxidant activity was determined in Caco-2 cells exposed to a free radical generator, and iron and copper chelating activities were determined using colorimetric methods. The highest antioxidant activity, 71% inhibition, was found in the hydrolyzed protein isolate. Copper and iron chelating activities were highest in the lectin and phaseolin hydrolysates, 53% and 81%, respectively. Thus, experimental data indicates, as suggested by the database search, that antioxidant peptides are abundant in pepsin-pancreatin hydrolysates, which may represent a valuable health-promoting property in common bean.     

Antioxidant and antiproliferative capacities of phenolics purified from Phyllanthus emblica L. fruit

Phyllanthus emblica is a widely distributed tropical medicinal plant with good therapeutic properties. Gallic acid, ellagic acid, mucic acid 1,4-lactone 3-O-gallate, isocorilagin, chebulanin, chebulagic acid and mallotusinin were isolated and purified from this plant. The antioxidant activities of these compounds were evaluated by in vitro models of scavenging superoxide anion radicals, DPPH radicals and ABTS radicals, chelating ability of ferrous ion and inhibition capability of Fe (II)-induced lipid peroxidation, respectively. The results revealed that all the tested phenolics showed strong radical scavenging activity, good potency to chelate Fe²⁺ and good inhibition ability of lipid peroxidation. Amongst mallotusinin and mucic acid 1,4-lactone 3-O-gallate were reported for the first time to have antioxidant activity. In addition, the in vitro antiproliferative activities of those phenolics against MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines were assessed. Although the growth inhibition values induced by different phenolics on MCF-7 cell line yielded different effects, all the tested phenolics had apparent capacities of inhibiting the survival of MCF-7 human cancer cell line.     

Antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of mango (Mangifera indica L.) flesh and peel

The antioxidant and antiproliferative properties of flesh and peel of mango (Mangifera indica L.) were investigated. The cytoprotective effect of mango flesh and peel extracts on oxidative damage induced by H₂O₂ in a human hepatoma cell line, HepG2, were determined, and the underlying mechanism was examined by a single-cell electrophoresis assay (comet assay). Treatment of HepG2 cell with mango peel extract prior to oxidative stress was found to inhibit DNA damage. The free radical scavenging activities of mango flesh and peel extracts were evaluated by electron spin resonance (ESR). The mango peel extract exhibited stronger free radical scavenging ability on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and alkyl radicals than mango flesh extract, regardless of ripeness. Similarly, peel extract exhibited significant antiproliferative effect against all tested cancer cell lines, compared to that of flesh extract, in a dose-dependent manner. The result also showed that the antiproliferative activity of mango flesh and peel extracts correlated with their phenolic and flavonoid contents. Thus, mango peel, a major by-product obtained during the processing of mango product, exhibited good antioxidant activity and may serve as a potential source of phenolics with anticancer activity.     

Antioxidant and antiproliferative properties of a tocotrienol-rich fraction from grape seeds

The antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of a tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) obtained from grape seeds were evaluated. TRF, a mixture of γ-tocopherol and α- and γ-tocotrienol, was prepared from a methanol-soluble fraction of grape seed oils by eluting with 10% ether (v/v) using silica gel chromatography. TRF had significantly higher antioxidant and antiproliferative activities compared to other fractions. TRF showed 3.5-, 40.0-, and 39.0-fold higher ABTS radical scavenging activity, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, and reducing power, respectively, compared to α-tocopherol fraction (5% diethyl ether fraction). TRF had higher antiproliferative activity against MCF7 (81%) and NCI-H460 (76%) cells at a concentration of 1.0 mg/ml. The results suggest that TRF from grape seeds has significant health-promoting effects, having excellent antioxidant and anticancer activities.     

Antioxidant evaluation of polyhydroxylated nerolidols from redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus) leaves

Amaranthus retroflexus L., also known as redroot pigweed, is an invasive and cosmopolite plant belonging to Amaranthus genus, anciently used as food sources. From the methanolic extract of the redroot pigweed leaves, several new polyhydroxylated terpenes with a nerolidol skeleton have been isolated and characterized. In this study the antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract of the plant, as well as of its terpene constituents, has been evaluated. The antioxidant properties of each metabolite were evidenced by evaluating their ability to scavenge the DPPH radical and the pro-oxidant hydrogen peroxide as well as by assessing their capacity to inhibit the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), and to induce the formation of a phosphomolybdenum complex. The methanolic extract of the plant showed a strong dose-response antioxidant activity, while the pure nerolidol derivatives showed antioxidant capacities comparable to those exercised by the standard α-tocopherol.     

Association of genotype and preparation methods on the antioxidant activity, and antinutrients in common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Three bean genotypes were selected in order to be evaluated, being IAPAR-81 (IAP), Uirapuru (UI) and BAF 55 (BAF). The samples were: raw (R), cooked without soaking (CWS), cooked with soaking water (CWSW) and cooked without soaking water (COSW). For the antioxidant activity, total phenolics, tannin and phytate analysis, the broths were separated from the grains and the soaking water separated from the COSW sample was analyzed. The CWSW and COSW grain samples showed higher antioxidant potential in the three genotypes (IAP: 0.037 and 0.039; UI: 0.035 and 0.040; BAF: 0.040 and 0.047, respectively). There were losses of total phenolics, tannin and phytate in all samples of the cooked beans demonstrating the importance of consumption and use of the cooked broths. The CWS was the preparation that preserved the majority of the nutrients in the grains, except for the antioxidant activity. In the broth, BAF 55 showed higher levels of tannin and phenolic compounds in all preparations. The analysis of the raw bean is important to know the nutritional value of the food, but the common bean is consumed cooked which modifies its characteristics as well as the availability of the nutrients to be absorbed.     

Antioxidant and metal chelating activities of peptide fractions from phaseolin and bean protein hydrolysates

Bean protein isolate and phaseolin were hydrolysed using pepsin and pancreatin, and the resulting hydrolysates were filtered through a 1kDa cut-off membrane and fractionated by size exclusion chromatography. Three fractions corresponding to MW 0.7-1.0kDa, 0.43-0.7kDa and <0.43kDa (A1, A2, and A3 for protein isolate fractions, and B1, B2, and B3 for phaseolin fractions) were assayed for antioxidant and metal chelating activity and they were also subjected to amino acid and SDS-PAGE analysis. Fractions A1 and B1 had the highest copper chelating activity (78% and 82%, respectively), while iron chelating activity was the highest in fractions A1 and B3 (36% and 16%, respectively). Fractions A2 and B3 had the highest antioxidant activity as determined by inhibition of reducing power and β-carotene bleaching, while the highest ABTS radical scavenging activity was found in A3 and B3. Thus, fractions coming from the isolate and phaseolin had similar activities except for iron chelation, suggesting that phaseolin is the major contributor to the antioxidant and copper chelating activities of the hydrolysed protein isolate.     

Antioxidant activity of 1,3-dicaffeoylquinic acid isolated from Inula viscosa

Inula viscosa is a perennial herbaceous plant used topically in folk medicine as an anti-scabies, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing agent. We examined the antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract of I. viscosa. We isolated and identified several polyphenolic antioxidants from I. viscosa leaves and focused on 1,3-dicaffeoylquinic acid (1,3-diCQA). Antioxidant activity was measured using ABTS and DPPH assays, which measure antioxidant activity. The concentrations of 1,3-diCQA required for the inhibition of oxidation were lower than those required by other known antioxidants. 1,3-diCQA inhibited oxidative damage caused by various factors, including FeSO₄ and AAPH (2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dehydrochloride). Antioxidant activity can also be detected by the ability of a compound to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS). 1,3-diCQA was found to scavenge hydroxyl radical and superoxide radicals, as measured by electron spin resonance (ESR). These data demonstrate that 1,3-diCQA exhibits antioxidant properties, probably through the involvement of a direct scavenging effect on several free radicals.     

Structural characterisation of polysaccharides from Tricholoma matsutake and their antioxidant and antitumour activities

In this study, polysaccharides from Tricholoma matsutake (TM-P) were purified using a DEAE-Sepharose fast flow column and three polysaccharide fractions (TM-P1, TM-P2 and TM-P3) were obtained. The chemical composition and structural characteristics of TM-P2 were quite different from those of TM-P1 and TM-P3. TM-P2 consisted of glucose, galactose and mannose with a molar ratio of 5.9:1.1:1.0. The glycosidic linkages were mainly composed of 1,6- and 1-linked glucose. Furthermore, TM-P2 showed the strongest in vitro antioxidant and antitumour activities. The oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of TM-P2 was 2100.44 μmol Trolox/g. The antiproliferative activities of TM-P2 (4.0 mg/ml) on the growth of HepG2 and A549 cells were 67.98% and 59.04%, respectively.     

Antioxidant and cardioprotective effects of Ilex brasiliensis: A comparative study with Ilex paraguariensis (yerba mate)

Our objective was to compare the antioxidant properties and cardiovascular effects in ischemia–reperfusion of leaves aqueous extracts of Ilex brasiliensis (B) and Ilex paraguariensis (P). In vitro systems were used to assess the antioxidant properties of the extracts. Isolated rat hearts were treated with both extracts before ischemia and myocardial function was assessed. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentration and reduced glutathione (GSH) were also measured. B extract showed higher total phenols and ascorbic acid contents and a higher scavenging activity of peroxynitrite and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) than P extract. Postischemic systolic and diastolic functions were improved after B and P treatment. Both extracts decreased TBARS and preserved GSH content.The present study demonstrates that an aqueous extract of I. brasiliensis, similar to I. paraguariensis, protects the myocardium against ischemia–reperfusion injury and attenuates oxidative damage. These effects may be attributed to the potent antioxidant properties of the extract.     

Flavonoid contents and antioxidant activities from Cinnamomum species

Cinnamomum has long been regarded as a food or medicinal plant. Leaves of five species of Cinnamomum, namely C. burmanni, C. cassia, C. pauciflorum, C. tamala and C. zeylanica, were chosen to investigate their antioxidant activities in this study. C. zeylanica exhibited the highest total phenolic content while C. burmanni had the highest flavonoid content among the five species. These five species were then screened for their antioxidant potentials using various in-vitro models such as total antioxidant capability, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, reducing power and superoxide anion scavenging activity at various concentrations. C. zeylanica showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity, total antioxidant activity and reducing power, while C. tamala exhibited the highest superoxide anion scavenging activity. By the analysis of the high performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detector (HPLC-DAD), three flavonoid compounds namely quercetin, kaempferol and quercetrin were identified and quantified. This study suggested that Cinnamomum leaf can be used potentially as a readily accessible source of natural antioxidants.

Industrial relevance

This study was focused to evaluate the antioxidant activities of five species of Cinnamomum leaf which is normally used in medicine and also used in food preparation. This study provided an alternative of utilizing Cinnamomum leaf as a readily accessible source of natural antioxidants in food and pharmaceutical industry.     

Antioxidant and free radical-scavenging activities of seeds and agri-wastes of some varieties of soybean (Glycine max)

In order to find antioxidant potential, seeds of 30 varieties of Glycine max were studied for their total phenolic contents (TPC), flavonoids and antioxidant activity (AOA). The seed extracts showed wide variation of TPC from 6.4 to 81.7 mg GAE/g, flavonoids 3.5 to 44.6 mg QE/g and AOA 7.5% to 74.7%. Free radical-scavenging activity (FRSA), assayed by DPPH in terms of IC₅₀ (inhibitory concentration), ranged from 0.14 to 0.80 mg/ml, EC₅₀ (efficiency concentration) from 6.1 to 34.8 mg/mg DPPH, ARP (anti-radical power) 2.9 to 16.4 and reducing power from 1.9 to 4.7 ASE/ml. Variety Kalitur showed highest the FRSA followed by Alankar and Hara soya, as evident from their low IC₅₀, EC₅₀ and high ARP values. Alankar, Kalitur NRC-37, PK-472, VLS-47, Hara soya varieties were with comparatively higher TPC (52.7–81.7 mg GAE/g), AOA (50.5–74.7%) and showed better inhibition of peroxide formation assayed through ammonium thiocyanate and egg yolk, non-site-specific and site-specific inhibition of hydroxyl radical induced deoxyribose degradation and ferrous ion-chelating capacity than did the other varieties. Seed extracts of these varieties and leaves of Kalitur showed significant protection against DNA damage caused by free radicals. The agri-wastes of some promising varieties, e.g. Alankar, Kalitur, NRC-37 and PK-472, showed TPC ranging from 27.4 to 167 mg GAE/g, total flavanoids from 10.4 to 63.8 mg QE/g and AOA from 26.5% to 84.7% and their values were highest in the leaves, followed by pod pericarp and twigs. Out of all the varieties studied, leaves of Alankar and Kalitur varieties were more potent free radical-scavengers than were seeds, pod pericarp or twigs. The specific phenolic compositions and their quantifications were performed by HPLC and MS/MS, which showed that the seeds of Kalitur were higher in genistin (127 μg/g), seeds and leaves of Alankar in diadzin (113 μg/g) and gallic acid (87.2 μg/g), respectively. The present studies may be of importance in varietal improvement, nutraceuticals, bio-pharmaceuticals and utilization of agri-wastes as possible cost-effective natural antioxidants.     

Antioxidant activities of citrus herbal product extracts

Total phenolic content, DPPH free radical-scavenging activity, hydrogen peroxide-scavenging activity, ferrous ion-chelating activity and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of four citrus herbal products, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (CRP), Citri Reticulatae Viride Pericarpium (CRVP), Aurantii Immaturus Fructus (AIF) and Aurantii Fructus (AF) extracts were determined. EC₅₀ values of DPPH radical-scavenging activities ranged from 0.1 mg/ml (AF) to 1.59 mg/ml (AIF). EC₅₀ values of hydrogen peroxide-scavenging activities ranged from 0.08 mg/ml (AF) to 0.9 mg/ml (CRP). EC₅₀ values of ferrous ion-chelating activities ranged from 0.8 mg/ml (AF) to 2.08 mg/ml (AIF). The differences in DPPH free radical-scavenging activity, hydrogen peroxide-scavenging activity, and ferrous ion-chelating activity of all citrus herbal product extracts were significant. AF had the highest antioxidant activity. In this study, citrus herbal product extracts did not have good reducing power.     

Polyphenols and triterpenes from Chaenomeles fruits: Chemical analysis and antioxidant activities assessment

Mugua, fruit of the genus Chaenomeles, is a valuable source of health food and Chinese medicine. To elucidate the bioactive compounds of five wild Chaenomeles species, extracts from fresh fruits were investigated by HPLC-DAD/ESI-MS/MS. Among the 24 polyphenol compounds obtained, 20 were flavan-3-ols (including catechin, epicatechin and procyanidin oligomers). The mean polymerisation degree (mDP) of procyanidins was examined by two acid-catalysed cleavage reactions; the mDP value was the highest in Chaenomeles sinensis and the lowest in Chaenomeles japonica. Total polyphenol content (TPC) reached 46.92 and 46.28 mg/g gallic acid equivalents (GAE) in Chaenomeles speciosa and Chaenomeles thibetica, respectively, although their main bioactive compounds were different (being epicatechin and procyanidin B2 in the former, and catechin and procyanidin B1 in the latter). These two species also exhibited equally strong free radical scavenging activities. Our results further showed that the antioxidant ability of Chaenomeles fruits was significantly correlated to their total polyphenol contents. Two triterpenes (oleanolic acid and ursolic acid) were the highest quantity in Chaenomeles cathayensis and C. thibetica, respectively.     

Composition and biological activities of the essential oil from Schisandra chinensis obtained by solvent-free microwave extraction

Applicability of solvent-free microwave extraction (SFME) for extraction of the fruits of Schisandra chinensis essential oil was examined; the composition and antioxidant activities and antibacterial activities of the essential oil were assessed in vitro. An orthogonal experiment (L₉ (3)⁴) was applied to optimize the extraction process. The optimum conditions were: extraction time, 45 min; microwave power, 800 W; diameter of powder particles, 0.25 mm; and proportion of water pretreatment, 30%. Under these conditions, the extraction yield was 1.75%. Thirty-five compounds, representing 91.12% of the oil, were identified, of which the major ones, ylangene (50.11%), β-himachalene (10.76%),α-bergamotene (9.52%) and β-Chamigrene (5.41%), accounted for of 75.80% the oil.Antioxidant activity, IC₅₀ value of the essential oil was determined as 3.87 mg/mL by DPPH assay, and the inhibition values of the essential oil at 1.8 mg/mL was 41.88% by β-Carotene–linoleic acid bleaching assay. The essential oil was screened for antibacterial activity against both Gram positive (Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis) and Gram negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris) bacteria. The essential oil showed antibacterial effect against all the gram (+) bacteria and gram (−) bacteria tested. These results show that S. chinensis essential oil could be considered as a natural alternative to food antioxidants and preservatives.     

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Laetiporus sulphureus (Bull.) Murrill

Antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial activities of Laetiporus sulphureus (Bull.) Murrill. extracts obtained with ethanol were investigated in this study. The study was aimed at determining the antioxidant activity (DPPH free radical-scavenging, β-carotene/linoleic acid systems), total phenolic content and total flavonoid concentration of L. sulphureus. Inhibition values both of L. sulphureus ethanol and the standards increased parallel with the elevation of concentration in the linoleic acid system. Inhibition values of L. sulphureus (LS) extract, BHA and α-tocopherol standards were found to be 82.2%, 96.4% and 98.6%, respectively, at a concentration of 160 μg/ml. DPPH free radical-scavenging activity was found to exhibit 14%, 26%, 55% and 86% inhibition, respectively, at concentrations of 100, 200, 400 and 800 μg/ml. Total flavanoids were 14.2 ± 0.12 μg mg⁻¹ (quercetin equivalent) while the phenolics were 63.8 ± 0.25 μg mg⁻¹ (pyrocatechol equivalent) in the extract. Positive correlations were found between total phenolic content in the mushroom extracts and their antioxidant activities. Edible mushrooms may have potential as natural antioxidants. L. sulphureus showed narrow antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria and strongly inhibited the growth of the Gram-positive bacteria tested. The crude extract exhibited high anticandidal activity on Candida albicans. Therefore, the extracts could be suitable as antimicrobial and antioxidative agents in the food industry.