Teresa Maria Pellicanò

Bioactive and Antioxidant Activity from Citrus bergamia Risso (Bergamot) Juice Collected in Different Areas of Reggio Calabria Province, Italy

The chemical composition and antioxidant activity of juice extracted from seven samples of bergamot (Citrus bergamia Risso) collected in different areas of Reggio Calabria Province were investigated. The ascorbic acid, total polyphenol, and flavonoid contents were determined. Total flavonoids and polyphenols were analyzed by ultraviolet spectra, while flavanone content was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The antioxidant activity of the fractions was assessed using three representative assays: 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline 6-sulfonic acid), 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl radical quenching and β-carotene bleaching test. The main flavanones were naringin, neohesperedin, and neoeriocitrin, and their average content 242.4 ± 1.8, 183.0 ± 0.6, and 247.0 ± 1.4 mg mL–1, respectively. The results showed that bergamot juice possessed a good quality and a valuable source of health promoting constituents. In fact it contained eriocitrin, naringin, neoeriocitrin, and neohesperedin, which may contribute differentially to the antioxidant capacity.

Portulaca oleracea L. (Purslane) extracts display antioxidant and hypoglycaemic effects

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is a member of the family Portulacaceae. Due to its many health benefits, it is listed in a World Health Organization database. The aim of this work is to investigate the purslane extracts for their chemical profile and bioactivity.In this study, two different solvents (MeOH/H2O and EtOH) were applied to fresh and dried leaves. The extracts were analysed using HPLC-DAD. Phenolic acids (caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid) and flavonoids (apigenin, kaempferol, luteolin, quercetin, isorhamnetin, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside and rutin) were identified in all samples. Quercetin and p-coumaric acid were the most abundant compounds. Total antioxidant activity was measured by using the ABTS and DPPH tests, and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Hypoglycaemic properties were investigated via the inhibition of carbohydrate-hydrolysing enzymes, α-amylase and α-glucosidase.Fresh hydroalcoholic purslane extract exhibited the highest radical scavenging potential in both ABTS and DPPH test (IC50 values of 52.86 and 66.98 μg/mL, respectively), whereas dried hydroalcoholic purslane extract showed the highest α-glucosidase inhibitory potential (IC50 value of 45.05 μg/mL). Collectively these data show the health properties of this widely consumed salad plant.

Phytochemical properties and antioxidant potential from Citrus bergamia , Risso (bergamot) juice extracted from three different cultivars

In plant-derived products there are naturally occuring bioactive compounds: that is, substances with or without nutritional value, having biological activity in the prevention of disease development, thus protecting human health. The following physical and nutritional properties of three bergamot cultivars (Castagnaro, Fantastico and Femminello) were determined and compared: pH, titratable acidity, vitamin C, total flavonoids, total polyphenols, antocianyn, bioactive molecules and antioxidant capacity (ABTS and DPPH assay). The comparison data, were found to be statistically different. In all juice samples analyzed the highest antioxidant capacity was found in Castagnaro juice (64.21% I of DPPH and 1.97% I of ABTS) compared to Fantastico (44.48% I of DPPH and 1.83% I of ABTS) and Femminello (33.39% I of DPPH and 1.13% I of ABTS). These differences could be attributed to the individual characteristics of these cultivars.