Antioxidative Activity of Carotenoids in Mideodeok Styela clava

Abstract

Carotenoids were found in high levels in both muscle and tunic samples, with the highest and lowest values observed in March and January, respectively. The average values in muscle (GM) and tunic (GT) harvested in Geoje were 49.1 mg/100g and 56.7 mg/100g, respectively, whereas those in muscle (TM) and tunic (TT) harvested in Tongyeong were 42.0 mg/100g and 50.2 mg/100g, respectively. The total phenol contents of the tunic were not significantly different (P < 0.05) between sampling area and month. We investigated the antioxidative activities of the carotenoids against linoleic acid peroxidation [1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)] and hydroxyl radicals as well as their reducing power. The DPPH radical scavenging activity was 7.6-13.5% in GM, which is relatively weak, whereas it was 21.1-29.9% in GT, 9.6-12.4% in TM and 19.3-24.1% in TT. In comparison to <TEX>${\alpha}$</TEX>-tocopherol, the carotenoids were found to have strong inhibitory effects against linoleic acid peroxidation, and exhibited strong hydroxyl radical scavenging activities and reducing power at 120 <TEX>${\mu}g/mL$</TEX> of each sample.