Bioactive Components, Volatile Profile and In Vitro Antioxidative Properties of Taxus baccata L. Red Arils.

Małgorzata Tabaszewska,Radosława Skoczeń-Słupska,Jaroslawa Rutkowska,Agata Antoniewska,Łukasz Skoczylas,Jacek Słupski

doi:10.3390/molecules26154474

Małgorzata Tabaszewska, Radosława Skoczeń-Słupska + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26154474

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Abstract

This study aimed at assessing the composition of bioactive compounds, including ascorbic acid, carotenoids and polyphenols, the volatile compound profile and the antioxidant activity of red arils (RAs) of Taxus baccata L. grown in diverse locations in Poland. Among the carotenoids assayed in high quantities (3.3–5.42 μg/g), the lycopene content (2.55–4.1 μg/g) was remarkably higher than that in many cultivated fruits. Samples collected from three sites were distinguished by higher amounts of ascorbic acid (125 mg/100 g, on average) than those found in many cultivated berries. Phenylpropanoids quantitatively dominated among the four groups of phenolic compounds. Chromatographic separation enabled the detection of two phenylpropanoid acids: ferulic and p-coumaric. Irrespectively of the growth site, RAs contained substantial amounts of (-)-epicatechin (1080 μg/100 g, on average). A higher ability to scavenge DPPH● and ABTS●+ radicals was found in the hydrophilic fraction of RAs from two sites (Warsaw and Koszalin) compared with the other two sites. The volatile compound profile of RAs was dominated by alcohols, followed by ketones, esters and aldehydes. The presence of some volatiles was exclusively related to the specific growth site, which may be regarded as a valuable indicator. The combination of bioactive and volatile compounds and the fairly good antioxidant potential of RAs render them an attractive source for preparing functional foods.

Highlights

Red arils proved to be rich in carotenoids (3.30–5.42 μg/g; Table 1) and markedly differed in the lycopene content (2.55–4.1 μg/g) depending on the growth site (p < 0.05)
The bioactive volatile compound profile and in vitro antioxidative properties of Taxus baccata L. red arils were evaluated for the first time
This study demonstrates that red arils are ascorbic acid-rich berries

Summary

Introduction

A diet rich in berries may protect human beings from oxidant stress. Many studies revealed that wild berries and other unique fruits derived from natural habitats were rich in secondary metabolites [2,3,4,5,6]. Wild berries may be regarded as a substantial source of vitamin C, carotenoids and other valuable compounds [5,7]. These compounds represent proved antioxidant properties in vitro but are involved in upregulation of the genes coding for the antioxidant enzymes MnSOD and GPx [6]

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