A comparative study of phytochemicals, antioxidant potential and in-vitro DNA damage protection activity of different oat (Avena sativa) cultivars from India

Abstract

Eight Indian oat cultivars collected from different areas were investigated for the presence of bioactive compounds, their antioxidant capacities and in-vitro DNA damage protection activity. Different assays were used for quantification of antioxidant activities in oat cultivars. Preliminary analysis revealed that all oat cultivars (cv.) were rich in specific phytochemicals as their extracts showed the presence of coumarins, saponins, flavonoids, flavones, proteins, tocols, β-glucan and carbohydrates. The total phenolic and condensed tannin contents of oat cultivars ranged between 7.6 and 16.8 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) g−1 and 27.3–107.3 mg catechin equivalent (CE) 100 g−1, respectively. Comparisons of antioxidant activity of all oat cultivars showed that OS-6 cv. possessed the highest inhibition towards 2, 2-diphenyl-1′ picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS+) radicals and also higher reducing power (8.4 mg quercetin equivalent g−1). All the extracts protected DNA from damaging effect produced during Fenton’s reaction as confirmed by the presence of DNA bands. The results indicated that phenolic compounds are potent radical scavengers as phenolic content was positively correlated to various antioxidant assays studied. The information provided in the present study will help plant breeders to select specific cv. which is rich in phenolics and other important bioactive compounds.