Polyphenols content and antioxidant capacity of thirteen faba bean (Vicia faba L.) genotypes cultivated in Tunisia

In vitro antioxidant capacity of thirteen genotypes of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) collected during three different growing stages (vegetative, reproductive and maturity) have been evaluated. For the vegetative stage (VS) and reproductive stage (RS) the whole plant (WP) has been used for the analysis while for the maturity stage (MS) the plant was divided and analyzed in different parts, the whole seed (WS), seed coat (SC), cotyledons (Cot) and pod (Pod). The antioxidant capacity has been evaluated by means of the total phenolic and total flavonoid contents (TPC and TFC respectively), the ferric-reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) and the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging assays. The results showed different antioxidant properties for the same genotype when considering the different parts or stages of the plant. High content of both total phenolics (> 92.85 mg as gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g of dried plant) and flavonoids contents (> 11.87 mg as rutin equivalent (RE)/g of dried plant) were found for all genotypes during the vegetative and the reproductive stages, which also showed the highest antioxidant activity (FRAP value ≥ 1.157 mmol/g and DPPH radical-scavenging capacity > 43.49%), indicating their potential as natural sources of antioxidant foods. For the maturity stage, the highest values for the TPC, TFC, FRAP and DPPH scavenging capacity were observed for the pods and the lowest for the cotyledons.The results of this study indicate that faba beans are a good source of natural antioxidants independently to their genotype. The quantification of the antioxidant capacity according to the stage and the plant part could be suitable for applications on the food industry in relation to production and preservation of faba bean food products.     

Occurrence of phenolic compounds in the seed coat and the cotyledon of peas (Pisum sativum L.)

This work determined the phenolic composition of the seed coat and the cotyledon of two varieties of dark peas (Pisum sativum L), Fidelia and ZP-840, by HPLC-PAD and HPLC-MS. High concentrations of glycosides of quercetin, luteolin and apigenin were found in the seed coat of both varieties of peas. Minor concentrations of monomers and dimers of proanthocyanidins were identified. The cotyledon mainly contains hydroxybenzoic and hydroxycinnamic compounds and some of the flavone and flavonol glycosides found in the seed coat. Two conjugated compounds with malic acid, trans p-coumaroyl-malic acid and p-hydroxybenzoyl-malic acid were identified in the cotyledon and in the seed coat, and the stilbene trans-resveratrol-3-glucoside, only in the seed coat. These compounds had not been previously reported in peas. The results obtained allow an overview of the distribution of the phenolic compounds in the seeds of these varieties of peas, and contribute to the knowledge of the implications of these compounds in the dietary intake.     

Determination of some chemical and physical properties of Sakız faba bean (Vicia faba L. Var. major)

In this study, some chemical and physical properties of faba bean (Vicia faba L. Var. major) grown up in Antalya region have been determined. Chemical properties such as dry matter, total energy, crude protein, crude cellulose, crude oil, mineral elements––Ca, P, K, Na, S, Al, Ba––and physical properties such as dimensions, weight, thickness, geometric mean diameter, sphericity, bulk density, volume, porosity, projected area, 1000 grain mass, terminal velocity and the rupture strength of grains involved in the study.

The total energy, crude protein, crude cellulose and crude oil contents (as percentage in dry matter) of faba bean are found as 18.87 MJ/kg, 29.63%, 6.39% and 1.06% respectively, and all elements determined in the research are listed in the text. The values of length, width, thickness, weight, geometric mean diameter and sphericity of faba bean are determined as 20.39, 14.54, 7.86 mm, 1.31 g, 13.25 mm and 0.651 for 10.90% moisture content, respectively. In the some moisture content, projected area, volume, 1000 grain mass, bulk density, kernel density, porosity and terminal velocity were measured as 2.79 cm², 1210 mm³, 1349.34 g, 608.17 kg/m³, 1248 kg/m³, 51.48%, 4.94 m/s respectively. In addition, the rupture strength values of faba bean grains were varied between 310.83 and 542.38 N.     

Effect of moisture content on compressive strength of whole snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seeds and separated cotyledons

The compressive strength and force of three cultivars of whole snap bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seeds and cotyledon sections were measured over a range of water activity from 0.45 to 0.65 in 0.1 increments. Compressive strength was measured with a flat platen for whole bean compression and with a 1 mm diameter cylindrical probe for cotyledon strength tests. At high moisture content seeds had a plastic behaviour. The compressive force for seed breakage increased with increasing moisture content, and the breeding line NY537-Dark was the most resistant to fracture. Cotyledon compression strength decreased with increasing moisture content regardless of seed coat presence.     

Antioxidant activity and phenolic content of 16 raisin grape (Vitis vinifera L.) cultivars and selections

Six raisin grape cultivars and 10 new raisin grape selections were analyzed for antioxidant activity (ABTS assay) and for total and individual phenolic compounds. Samples were freeze–dried and values are reported on a dry weight basis. Antioxidant activity across the 16 samples ranged from 7.7 to 60.9 μmol Trolox/g DW, with A95-27 exhibiting the greatest activity. Total phenolic content, determined in gallic acid equivalents using the Folin–Ciocalteau assay, ranged from 316.3 to 1141.3 mg gallic acid/100 g DW and was strongly correlated (r = 0.990) with antioxidant results. Concentrations of individual phenolics were determined by HPLC. trans-Caftaric acid was the predominant compound in all samples. A95-15 contained the lowest concentration (153.5 μg/g DW) of caftaric acid, while Fiesta contained the highest concentration (598.7 μg/g DW). Selections A56-66, A95-15, and A95-27 had much higher levels of catechin (86.5–209.1 μg/g DW) and epicatechin (126.5–365.7 μg/g DW) than the other samples.     

Total phenolics,antioxidant properties and quality of fresh-cut onions (Allium cepa L.) treated with mild-heat

This study investigated the effect of mild-heat on fresh-cut onion slices by treating in hot water (50, 60, 70 °C) for 1 min. Total phenolics (TP), antioxidant properties, colour, and weight loss of slices were evaluated during 4 °C storage at 7-day intervals (21 days total). The 60 °C heat treatment resulted in a significant increase in TP, from 44.92 to 52.32 mg GAE/100 g. Except for 50 and 70 °C treatments, TP in control and 60 °C treated fresh-cut onions decreased during storage. The antioxidant properties of fresh-cut onions were 1.31, 0.99, and 62.49 μM TE/g using ABTS, DPPH, and ORAC assays, respectively. The mild-heat treatments did not affect ABTS and DPPH antioxidant activities and the colour of fresh-cut onions. The storage time had mixed effect on the antioxidant properties (ABTS decreased; DPPH and ORAC remained fairly stable). The 50 °C samples exhibited the lowest weight loss during 21-day storage.     

Carrot (Daucus carota L.) peroxidase inactivation,phenolic content and physical changes kinetics due to blanching

The kinetics of peroxidase thermal inactivation, total phenolic content degradation, and colour (CIE L∗a∗b∗) and texture changes were studied in a temperature range of 70–90 °C for carrots (Daucus carota L.).     

A comparison of the toxicity of pirimiphos-methyl and malathion to Typhaea stercorea (L.) when applied to stored maize

The toxicity of freshly applied and aged residues of pirimiphos-methyl and malathion were assessed against adult Typhaea stercorea (L.). Maize was treated with each pesticide at doses of 2, 4, 6, and 8 mg kg⁻¹ and stored at a constant 25 °C and 70% r.h. for 12 weeks. All fresh deposits of pirimiphos-methyl produced 100% mortality as did malathion at 4, 6 and 8 mg kg⁻¹. After four weeks storage pirimiphos-methyl still gave 100% mortality at 6 and 8 mg kg⁻¹ but this dropped to 96% at 4 mg kg⁻¹ and 60% at 2 mg kg⁻¹, while mortality for malathion was less than 31% even at 8 mg kg⁻¹. After 12 weeks storage only pirimiphos-methyl gave effective control with 78% mortality at the highest dose of 8 mg kg⁻¹, while control by malathion had completely broken down. The effect of exposure time on T. stercorea for both pesticides at a single dose of 4 mg kg⁻¹ was also assessed. Beetles were left in contact with treated maize for 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 d. Fresh and four-week-old pirimiphos-methyl residues produced over 98% mortality at all exposure periods but on 12-week-old residues mortality had dropped and was only 61% following 10 d exposure. Only freshly applied malathion gave 100% mortality and even the maximum exposure of 10 d only produced 51% mortality of T. stercorea at four weeks and 39% at 12 weeks.     

Intraspecific and interspecific competition in Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) and Callosobruchus subinnotatus (Pic) on stored bambara groundnut, Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdcourt

Intraspecific competition was studied in Callosobruchus maculatus and Callosobruchus subinnotatus. Interspecific competition between the two bruchids was also studied to determine which of these species is likely to cause more damage to stored bambara groundnuts, Vigna subterranea in cases of joint infestation. Results showed that increasing the adult density up to 8 females per 10 g of bambara groundnut seeds did not significantly reduce the mean number of eggs laid per female, the number of eggs developing to the adult stage, or the weight of emerged adults of either species. The developmental period of the two species was also not significantly affected. The adult emergence curve of C. maculatus was similar to that of C. subinnotatus and was of the scramble type. C. maculatus performed better than C. subinnotatus in interspecific competition and it achieved this through a higher egg-laying ability and a higher rate of progeny production coupled with a shorter life-cycle. The implications of these findings with respect to damage and possible loss of stored bambara groundnut are discussed.     

Free and bound total phenolic concentrations,antioxidant capacities,and profiles of proanthocyanidins and anthocyanins in whole grain rice (Oryza sativa L.) of different bran colours

To study the polyphenols in whole grain rice varying in bran colour, the total phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant capacities of the solvent-extractable (Free) and cell-wall bound (Bound) fractions and the profiles of proanthocyanidins and anthocyanins were determined. Red and purple bran rices had significantly higher total (sum of Free- and Bound-) phenolic (PC) and flavonoid (FC) concentrations and antioxidant capacities than light-coloured bran rice or other cereals (P < 0.05), due to their higher concentrations of proanthocyanidins and anthocyanins, respectively. The concentrations of the Bound-PC and FC accounted for approximately half of the total PC and FC in the light-coloured bran rice, but were lower than those in purple and red bran rice (P < 0.05). High correlations were found between the concentrations of total phenolics and the three antioxidant capacity assays except for those in the bound fraction when related to iron chelating capacity. The concentrations of proanthocyanidins in red bran rice was 1.27 mg/g and its composition was 6.5%, 33.5%, 30.6% and 29.4% of 1–3, 4–6, 7–10 mers, and polymer (>10 mers), respectively. Cyanidin-3-glucoside was the predominant anthocyanin and peonidin-3-glucoside was the second highest; the profiles varied between purple bran cultivars. Whole grain rice differing in bran colour contained unique polyphenol subgroups, which have been proposed to positively impact human health.     

A new variant of antimetabolic protein,arcelin from an Indian bean, Lablab purpureus (Linn.) and its effect on the stored product pest, Callosobruchus maculatus

The anti-metabolic or insecticidal gene, arcelin (Arl) was isolated, cloned and sequenced using sequence specific degenerate primers from the seeds of Lablab purpureus collected from the Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India. The L. purpureus arcelin nucleotide sequence was homologous to Arl-3 and Arl-4 alleles from Phaseolus spp. The protein it encodes has 70% amino acid identity with the amino acid sequences of Arl-3I, Arl-3III, Arl-4 precursor, Arl-4 and Arl-4I. The partially purified arcelin from the seeds of L. purpureus using an artificial diet confirmed the complete retardation of development of the stored product pest Callosobruchus maculatus at 0.2% w/w arcelin-incorporated artificial seeds.     

Total and individual carotenoids and phenolic acids content in fresh,refrigerated and processed spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)

The carotenoid and phenolic acid contents in fresh, stored and processed (blanched, frozen and boiled) spinach were comparatively determined by spectrophotometric and HPLC analyses. The major carotenoids identified after HPLC analysis in saponified samples were lutein (37–53 μg/kg), β-carotene (18–31 μg/kg), violaxanthin (9–23 μg/kg) and neoxanthin (10–22 μg/kg). These carotenoids were all affected by storage and/or heating. The content of carotenoids was best preserved after storage for one day at 4 °C.     

Simulation studies on the effects of solar heat on egg-laying, development and survival of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) and Callosobruchus subinnotatus (Pic) in stored bambara groundnut Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdcourt

The effects of simulated solar heat on oviposition, development and survival of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) and Callosobruchus subinnotatus (Pic) in stored bambara groundnut, Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdcourt, were evaluated at three high temperatures (40°C, 45°C and 50°C) at a constant, low humidity (30% relative humidity). Exposure to these temperatures for 6 h significantly reduced oviposition in C. maculatus and C. subinnotatus females. Females of both species that were exposed to 50°C laid significantly fewer eggs than those exposed to 40°C; and in the case of C. maculatus, females exposed to 45°C also laid significantly fewer eggs than those exposed to 40°C. The percentage of eggs laid by females of both species that reached adulthood after exposure to 50°C for 2–6 h was significantly lower than the percentage that developed from eggs laid by females that were exposed to 40°C. No adult developed from eggs of C. maculatus exposed for 6 h at 50°C or from eggs of C. subinnotatus exposed for 2 h at this temperature. For both species, no adult progeny subsequently emerged from seeds harbouring first instar larvae when exposed at 50°C for 2, 4 or 6 h. Older larvae of C. maculatus were more tolerant of exposure at 50°C: 26.8, 10.2 and 0.9% of late instar larvae exposed for 2, 4 and 6 h, respectively, developed to the adult stage. In contrast, no adults of C. subinnotatus emerged from seeds harbouring late instar larvae when exposed at 45°C for 6 h nor in seeds exposed to the temperature of 50°C for 4 or 6 h. On average, immature stages of C. subinnotatus were more susceptible to heat treatment than those of C. maculatus.     

Effect of constant temperature and humidity on oviposition and development of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) and Callosobruchus subinnotatus (Pic) on bambara groundnut, Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdcourt

The effect of different conditions of temperature and humidity on oviposition and development of Callosobruchus maculatus and Callosobruchus subinnotatus was investigated in the present study. Four temperatures (25°C, 30°C, 35°C and 40°C) and three humidities (30%, 60% and 90% r.h.) were evaluated on both species in pure and mixed populations on bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) seeds. In both pure and mixed populations, temperature influenced oviposition and progeny development of both species significantly more than humidity. Egg-laying and progeny development in C. maculatus were optimal at 35°C. In contrast, oviposition and progeny development in C. subinnotatus were optimal at 30°C. In mixed populations, where eggs were laid by females of C. maculatus and C. subinnotatus held together, more C. maculatus adults than C. subinnotatus adults were produced at the various temperatures and humidities. No adult progeny of either species developed in pure or mixed populations at 40°C. C. maculatus was more fecund than C. subinnotatus and development from egg to adult took much longer in C. subinnotatus than in C. maculatus in both pure and mixed populations. The implications of these findings for the development and survival of both species in the different agroecologies and seasons in Nigeria are discussed.     

Extraction of natural antioxidants from hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) shell and skin wastes by long maceration at room temperature

The feasibility of obtaining antioxidant phenolic extracts from hazelnut by-products was investigated by long maceration at room temperature. The hard shells and defatted skins of both whole and chopped roasted hazelnut kernels were studied. Three solvent systems were employed and these included aqueous methanol, ethanol and acetone. Extraction yields as well as phenolic contents varied according to the by-product and the solvent used. Among the studied samples, the skin of whole roasted hazelnuts gave remarkably high extraction yields (about 30%) and extracts with the richest phenolic content (up to 502 mg/g, expressed as gallic acid equivalents).

Extracts were screened for antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced oxidation of linoleic acid in vitro model systems. The extracts from the skin of whole roasted hazelnuts manifested the strongest antioxidant activity, similar or superior to butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid (Trolox) and -tocopherol, at equivalent concentrations. The presence of hazelnut fragments in the skin residue lowered the yield and the antioxidant activity of the extract. All the extracts were found to be very rich in tannins.     

Quantitative analysis of the isoflavone content and biological growth of soybean (Glycine max L.) at elevated temperature,CO2 level and N application

Effects of ambient and elevated CO₂ levels (360 and 650 µmol mol^?1 respectively), ambient and high (5 °C above ambient) temperatures and their interactions with N application on soybean (Glycine max L.) were studied in 2001. Overall, total isoflavones in whole soybean seeds were highest (1383.0 µg g^?1) in the elevated CO₂ (AE) treatment without N application and lowest (414.1 µg g^?1) in the elevated temperature (EA) treatment with N application. Malonylgenistin (449.2 µg g^?1) and malonyldaidzin (435.9 µg g^?1) concentrations in the AE treatment without N application were highest among the 12 individual isoflavones, while aglycon and acetyl conjugates showed lower concentrations (below 10 µg g^?1) than glucoside and malonyl conjugates in all treatments. Overall, N application had no effect on total isoflavone concentration, while both temperature and CO₂ level had a higher effect on increasing isoflavones, including aglycon and acetyl conjugates (P = 0.001). In the biological growth analysis, total dry weight was highest (100.9 g) in the elevated temperature and CO₂ (EE) treatment with N application, while leaf area was more affected by CO₂ than by temperature and increased with N application. There were larger numbers of pods (99) and seeds (176) per plant in the EE treatment with N application, and generally the AE treatment showed a greater increase in 100‐seed weight (g per 100 seeds) and in pods and seeds per plant than other treatments. Overall, total dry weight was highly affected (P = 0.001) by three main factors, temperature, CO₂ and N application, but the interactions temperature × N and temperature × CO₂× N did not affect total dry weight. Also, total dry weight tended to increase with increasing numbers of pods (r² = 0.93***) and seeds (r² = 0.93***) and larger leaf area (r² = 0.85***). In addition, numbers of pods and seeds were significantly affected (P = 0.01–0.001) by temperature, CO₂ and temperature × CO₂. Generally, elevated CO₂ and temperature did not affect N, P and K concentrations in the seeds but did decrease the concentrations of Ca and Mg, which were increased in the AE treatment. Among the nutrients, Ca and Mg were highly correlated with temperature and CO₂ level. N concentration in the seeds increased with applied N and in particular showed a high increase with elevated temperature and ambient CO₂ (EA treatment). The variation in isoflavones was correlated with temperature (r² = ?0.70**) and CO₂ (r² = 0.67**), while N application was not correlated with isoflavone concentration. Also, Ca (r² = ?0.85***) and Mg (r² = ?0.57*) in the seeds were correlated with variation in isoflavones. This indicated that isoflavones were in higher concentrations under conditions of low temperature and increasing CO₂, which also resulted in low Ca and Mg concentrations in the seeds. The results of this study suggest that the long‐term adaptation of the soybean to growth at elevated CO₂ level and high temperature might potentially increase its isoflavone content, growth and yield. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of air-drying temperature on physico-chemical properties,antioxidant capacity,colour and total phenolic content of red pepper (Capsicum annuum, L. var. Hungarian)

Red pepper has been recognised as an excellent source of antioxidants, being rich in ascorbic acid and other phytochemicals. Drying conditions, particularly temperature, leads to pepper modifications that can cause quality degradation. In this work, the effects of process temperatures between 50 and 90 °C on physico-chemical properties, rehydration, colour, texture, vitamin C, antioxidant capacity and total phenolics during the drying of red pepper were studied. The rehydration ratio decreased with temperature and the maximum water holding capacity was achieved at 50 °C. Both vitamin C content and the total phenolic content decreased as air-drying temperature decreased. The radical scavenging activity showed higher antioxidant activity at high temperatures (i.e. 80 and 90 °C) rather than at low temperatures (i.e. 50, 60 and 70 °C). Chromatic parameters (L*, a*, b*, C* and H°), non-enzymatic browning compounds and extractable colour were affected by drying temperature, which contributed to the discolouring of pepper during this process.     

Comparative analysis of total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and flavonoids profile of fruits from two varieties of Brazilian cherry (Eugenia uniflora L.) throughout the fruit developmental stages

A better characterization of the flavonoids profile and antioxidant activity of Brazilian cherry fruits is expected to significantly increase their marketing appeal. Fruits at the green stage presented the highest antioxidant activity, measured as DPPH scavenging activity (17.18 and 18.13 mmol Trolox equivalents/100 g dried fruits for the red and purple varieties, respectively), and total phenolic content (4.14 and 5.81 g of ferulic acid equivalents/100 g dried fruit for the red and purple varieties, respectively), as well. Use of tandem mass spectrometry allowed the identification of myricetin 3-O-hexoside, myricetin 3-O-pentoside, myricetin 3-O-rhamnoside, quercetin 3-O-hexoside, quercetin 3-O-pentoside, quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside, and myricetin deoxyhexoside-gallate in both varieties of Brazilian cherry, regardless the developmental stage. Our data indicate that Brazilian cherry fruits are rich in natural antioxidants that might be more widely used by both, the general population and the food industry as a source of bioactive human health promoter phytochemicals.