Agnieszka Kosińska

Antioxidant Activity of Hazelnut Skin Phenolics

Phenolic compounds were extracted from hazelnut skin using 80% (v/v) aqueous acetone or methanol. The crude extracts were applied onto a Sephadex LH-20 column for two fractionations (Fr. I and Fr. II). Fr. I consisting of low-molecular-weight phenolics was eluted by ethanol, whereas Fr. II consisting of tannins was obtained using acetone/water (1:1, v/v) as the mobile phase. UV spectra of phenolic compounds present in the crude extracts and their fractions exhibited a maximum absorbance at 282 nm. The crude extracts and their fractions were examined for phenolic and condensed tannin contents as well as total antioxidant activity (TAA), antiradical activity against the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, and reducing power. Results of these assays showed higher values when Fr. II containing tannins was tested, followed by crude extract, and Fr. I. Both 80% acetone and methanol were capable of extracting phenolics, but 80% acetone was a more effective solvent for the extraction of condensed tannins (p < 0.05). These results suggest that hazelnut skin can be considered as a value-added byproduct for use as dietary antioxidants.

Phenolic compound profiles and antioxidant capacity of persea americana mill. peels and seeds of two varieties

Avocado processing by the food and cosmetic industries yields a considerable amount of phenolic-rich byproduct such as peels and seeds. Utilization of these byproducts would be favorable from an economic point of view. Methanolic (80%) extracts obtained from lyophilized ground peels and seeds of avocado (Persea americana Mill.) of the Hass and Shepard varieties were characterized for their phenolic compound profiles using the HPLC-PAD technique. The structures of the identified compounds were subsequently unambiguously confirmed by ESI-MS. Compositional analysis revealed that the extracts contained four polyphenolic classes: flavanol monomers, proanthocyanidins, hydroxycinnamic acids, and flavonol glycosides. The presence of 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 3-O-p-coumaroylquinic acid, and procyanidin A trimers was identified in seeds of both varieties. Intervarietal differences were apparent in the phenolic compound profiles of peels. Peels of the Shepard variety were devoid of (+)-catechin and procyanidin dimers, which were present in the peels of the Hass variety. Peels of both varieties contained 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid and quercetin derivatives. The differences in the phenolic profiles between varietals were also apparent in the different antioxidant activity of the extracts. The peel extracts had a higher total phenolic compound content and antioxidant activity when compared to the seed extracts. The highest TEAC and ORAC values were apparent in peels of the Haas variety in which they amounted to 0.16 and 0.47 mmol Trolox/g DW, respectively. No significant (p > 0.05) differences were apparent between the TEAC values of seeds of the two varieties but the ORAC values differed significantly (p < 0.05). Overall these findings indicate that both the seeds and peel of avocado can be utilized as a functional food ingredient or as an antioxidant additive.

The impact of copper ions on growth, lipid peroxidation, and phenolic compound accumulation and localization in lentil (Lens culinaris Medic.) seedlings

Changes in phenolics (PhC) measured as UV-absorbing compounds (UVAC) and their localization as well as growth, lipid peroxidation (TBARS level), H(2)O(2) and Cu accumulation and other ions content in roots of two lentil cultivars (cv. Krak and cv. Tina) contrasting in Cu sensitivity were examined. The aim of this study was to reveal the importance of PhC in Cu tolerance. During Cu treatment, inhibition of growth and increases in lipid peroxidation in roots of both cultivars were observed, but the effects were more pronounced in cv. Tina (more sensitive) than in cv. Krak (less sensitive). Cu at 0.5 mM caused higher Cu and H(2)O(2) accumulation, but lower K(+) content and UVAC levels in the root tips of cv. Tina. Opposite changes were recorded in cv. Krak. Fluorescence microscopic analyses confirmed greater PhC accumulation in cv. Krak (less sensitive) than in cv. Tina (more sensitive) after Cu treatment and showed that these compounds accumulated particularly in vacuoles and the cell wall. Taken together, these results show that, in spite of the high concentration of Cu-stimulated PhC accumulation in cv. Krak, it was not sufficient to counteract the amount of ROS generated by the metal. The role of PhC in different reactions to Cu stress in lentil roots is discussed.

Antioxidant Properties of Extracts Obtained from Raw, Dry-roasted, and Oil-roasted US Peanuts of Commercial Importance

Raw, skinless peanut kernels from US commercial production lines were dry- and oil-roasted according to standard industrial practices. Eighty percent (v/v) methanolic extracts from the peanut cultivars were prepared and characterized by RP-HPLC: five predominant compounds were found comprising free p-coumaric acid and potential p-coumaric acid derivatives, as elucidated by DAD-UV spectra with comparisons to those of commercial standards. A Spanish high-oleic peanut possessed the greatest naturally-occurring level of p-coumaric acid and its derivatives, followed by a high-oleic Runner, a normal Runner, and a Virginia peanut. Upon thermal processing, p-coumaric acid was liberated at the expense of its derivatives according to the relationship: oil roasting > dry roasting > raw. A high-oleic Runner exhibited the greatest increase (∼785%) in free p-coumaric acid levels after oil roasting. For many of the samples from the 2007 crop, processing increased the TPC and antioxidant capacities in the order of raw < dry roast < oil roast, but results were cultivar dependent. Oil-roasted peanuts were more effective at scavenging O2●- than their dry-roasted counterparts, as determined by a photochemiluminescence assay. Overall findings indicate that although thermal processing altered the composition of peanut kernel antioxidants, TPC values and radical-scavenging activities are preserved. Depending on peanut type, cultivar, and harvest date, enhanced antioxidant capacities can result.

Presence of Caffeic Acid in Flaxseed Lignan Macromolecule

Phenolic compounds were extracted from defatted flaxseeds using ethanol-dioxane (1:1, v/v). The crude extract obtained was purified using Amberlite XAD-16 column chromatography with water and methanol as mobile phases. RP-HPLC and SE-HPLC showed a lignan macromolecule (LM) as a dominant phenolic compound in the purified extract. After the alkaline hydrolysis of LM caffeic acid glucoside (CaAG) was isolated using a semi-preparative HPLC and its structure was confirmed by LC-ESI-MS. In LM of the investigated flaxseed, one molecule of caffeic acid corresponded with five molecules of p-coumaric acid and two molecules of ferulic acid. The presence of caffeic acid in the lignan molecule might be very beneficial due to its high antioxidant activity.

Stability of Phenolic Compounds Isolated from Cocoa, Green Tea and Strawberries in Hank's Balanced Salt Solution under Cell Culture Conditions

Stability of Phenolic Compounds Isolated from Cocoa, Green Tea and Strawberries in Hanks Balanced Salt Solution under Cell Culture Conditions The study analysed the stability of polyphenols present in extracts isolated from cocoa, green tea and strawberries in Hanks Balanced Salt Solution buffers. The extracts were incubated under conditions commonly used for intestinal absorption experiments with human epithelial cells. The polyphenols were analysed with HPLC-DAD-FLD-MS method. The concentrations of most of the polyphenols monitored changed during 2 h of incubation. The flavan-3-ols of cocoa exhibited similar stability and all were more stable at pH 6.5 than 7.4. The concentration of procyanidin B2 at pH 7.4 decreased to the highest extent. Green tea predominant catechins: epigallocatechin gallate and epigallocatechin, were very vulnerable in HBSS both at pH 6.5 and 7.4; their specific molecular structure may be responsible for this phenomenon. The anthocyanins of a strawberry extract were more stable at pH 6.5. The considerable increase in ellagic acid concentration at pH 7.4 might be explained by possible degradation of other compounds of the extract. It is highly recommended to perform stability tests before transport experiments in a cell culture model in order to avoid misinterpretation of results.

Phenolic compounds profile of strawberry fruits of Charlotte cultivar

The profile of phenolic compounds in strawberry fruits varies significantly among cultivars. High performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometric detection with positive and negative modes of ionization was employed to identify phenolic compounds in extract of strawberries from Charlotte cultivar. This is the first time phenolic profile of Charlotte cultivar has been characterized. The fruits contained phenolics belonging to six groups: anthocyanins, ellagic acid and its conjugates, gallotannins, flavonols, flavanols and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives. The presence of pentagalloyl glucose in strawberries fruits was reported for the first time.

SE-HPLC-DAD Analysis of Flaxseed Lignan Macromolecule and its Hydrolysates

SE-HPLC-DAD Analysis of Flaxseed Lignan Macromolecule and its Hydrolysates A lignan macromolecule (LM) was extracted from defatted flaxseeds using an ethanol-dioxan system (1:1, v/v) and purified using Amberlite column chromatography with water and methanol as mobile phases. The LM was subjected to chemical hydrolysis (base, acid, base & acid), as well as to enzymatic processing using pepsin, pancreatin, cellulase, and β-glucuronidase. The study revealed that lignan macromolecule in flaxseed was not homogenous. The chemical hydrolysis as well as enzymatic treatment using β-glucuronidase and cellulase released low molecular phenolic compounds from the lignan macromolecule. The liberation of secoisolariciresinol (SECO) and free phenolic acids (p-coumaric and ferulic acids) from flaxseed lignan macromolecule as a result of the base and acid hydrolyses was noted. The application of pepsin and pancreatin did not change the composition of the lignan macromolecule.