Ireneusz Kapusta

Triterpene Saponin Content in the Roots of Red Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) Cultivars

Triterpene saponins in the roots of Beta vulgaris cultivars Red Sphere, Rocket, and Wodan were profiled and quantitated using reverse-phase liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI/MS/MS). Results obtained indicated that the roots of all three cultivars contained 11 saponins consisting of oleanolic acid or hederagenin aglycone and varying numbers of sugars, with the dominant triglycoside derivative of oleanolic acid. The relative proportions of derivatives of these two aglycones were similar in the three subspecies: cv. Red Sphere contained 99.1 and 0.9%; cv. Rocket, 98.2 and 1.8%; and Wodan 98.8 and 1.2% of oleanolic acid and hederagenin glycosides, respectively. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report on the occurrence, structure, and content of triterpenoid saponins in red beet.

Hyaluronidase, acetylcholinesterase inhibiting potential, antioxidant activity, and LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis of polyphenolics of rose (Rosa rugosa Thunb.) teas and tinctures

ABSTRACT Teas and tinctures prepared from five rose organs were analysed for their antioxidant, anti-hyaluronidase, and acetylcholinesterase inhibiting activity. Moreover, analysis of phenolic acids and flavonoids was carried out by the use of liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). As a result, the presence of 10 phenolic acids and 10 flavonoid glycosides was shown. Significant antioxidant potential (0.26 to 4.25 mmol Trolox/g) and reducing power (1092.04 to 9258.70 mmol Fe2+/g) was revealed. Moreover, high anti-hyaluronidase activity demonstrated especially by tinctures and differentiated acetylcholinesterase inhibiting effects were observed. The investigated extracts may be considered as potential sources of phenolics and health-promoting ingredients in everyday diet.