Physicochemical Characteristics and Antioxidant Activity of Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum Kuhn) in Namhae

Abstract

Abstract In this study, we investigate the physicochemical characteristics of dried bracken ( Pteridium aquilinum Kuhn) harvested in Namhae. The moisture, ash, crude protein and crude lipid content was 10.79±0.31%, 6.16±0.04%, 33.20±0.40% and 2.45±0.27%, respectively. The total mineral (Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Mn) content was 36720.1±495.7 mg/kg, with K being the highest at 31890.0±503.8 mg/kg. The total free amino acid content was 704.41 mg/100 g, the amount of methionine, citrulline and sarcosine being higher than the others. T he water and 50% ethanol extracts from the dried bracken were evaluated for the total poly phenolic compound content, antioxidant activity and xanthine oxidase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. The total polyphenol content in the 50% ethanol extract (1574.86±18.31 mg/100 g) was higher than in the water extract (1240.24±16.32 mg/100 g). The DPPH and ABT radical scavenging activity was increased according to the concentration of bracken extract, and the activity in the 50% ethanol extract was higher than in the water extract. In addition, the xanthine oxidase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity was also higher in the 50% ethanol extract than in the water extract. In conclusion, bracken has great antioxidative and antidiabetic effects and can be used as a preventive agent for oxidation and diabetes.Key words: bracken, free amino acid, antioxidant activity, α-glucosidase