Composition and inhibitory activities towards digestive enzymes of polyphenolic-rich fractions of Davidson's plum and quandong

Davidson's plum (DP; Davidsonia pruriens, F. Muell, Cunoniaceae) and quandong (QD; Santalum acuminatum, A.D.C., Santalaceae) are two leading commercially grown native Australian fruits used in a variety of food products such as jam, chutney, sauces, wine or herbal teas. Within this study their inhibitory activities towards key enzymes relevant to metabolic syndrome: α-glucosidase, pancreatic lipase and angiotensin I-converting enzyme were evaluated and compared to these of reference samples: rabbit eye (REB, Vaccinium ashei J.M. Reade) and southern highbush (SHB, Vaccinium darrowii × Vaccinium corymbosum) blueberries. Polyphenolic-rich fraction obtained from DP comprised ellagic acid and ellagitannins accompanied by flavonoids: myricetin, quercetin, rutin, and anthocyanins. This fraction contained the highest level of total phenolics and exhibited superior antioxidant capacity (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power, FRAP and Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, ORAC) to polyphenolic-rich fractions of QD, REB and SHB. DP closely followed REB and SHB in their inhibitory activities against isolated α-glucosidase (IC₅₀ of 0.13; 0.097 and 0.091, respectively) and was the most efficient inhibitor of angiotensin converting-enzyme (ACE; 91.2% inhibition at extract concentration of 1 mg/mL). Polyphenolic-rich fraction of QD comprising hydroxycinnamic acids, quercetin and cyanidin 3-glucoside was the most effective inhibitor of pancreatic lipase (IC₅₀: 0.60 mg/mL).