Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in the antioxidant activity and phenolic profile of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) extracts obtained from the aerial parts of plants harvested at five growth stages. In vitro assays were used to determine the antioxidant activity, i.e., ABTS•+ and DPPH• scavenging activity, the ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and the ability to inhibit β-carotene–linoleic acid emulsion oxidation. Phenolic compounds, such as mono- and dicaffeoylquinic acid isomers and caffeic acid hexose, were identified using the LC–TOF–MS/MS technique. The predominant compound during the growth cycle of the plant was 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid, whose content was the highest at the mid-flowering stage. The total phenolic content was also the highest in sunflowers at the mid-flowering stage. The main phenolic compound contents were closely correlated with ABTS•+ and DPPH• scavenging activity and FRAP. No significant correlation was found between the total phenolic content and the antioxidant activity in the emulsion system. The highest antiradical activity and FRAP were generally determined in older plants (mid-flowering and late flowering stages). In conclusion, the aerial parts of sunflowers, in particular those harvested at the mid-flowering stage, are a good plant material from which to obtain phenolic compound extracts, albeit mainly of one class (esters of caffeic acid and quinic acid), with high antioxidant activity.
Highlights
There is scientific evidence that the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells of the body beyond those needed for the effectiveness of the antioxidant defense system may cause damage to such biomolecules as lipids, proteins and DNA, and as a consequence may lead to various degenerative diseases, including cancer, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, rheumatoid diseases, arthritis and neurodegenerative diseases [1,2,3]
The use of 80% (v/v) methanol allowed 26.2% to 32.2% of matter to be extracted from freeze-dried sunflower plants at various growth stages (Table 1)
For the first time, the differences in the antioxidant potential and phenolic compound profile of thefor aerial of sunflowers duringinthe cycle. potential
Summary
There is scientific evidence that the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells of the body beyond those needed for the effectiveness of the antioxidant defense system may cause damage to such biomolecules as lipids, proteins and DNA, and as a consequence may lead to various degenerative diseases, including cancer, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, rheumatoid diseases, arthritis and neurodegenerative diseases [1,2,3]. The consumption of antioxidants in food and dietary supplements has been linked to a reduced risk of these diseases [4,5]. Antioxidants play an important role in extending the shelf life of food [6,7,8]. Utilized as additives, they limit the oxidation of food product ingredients, especially lipids. The increasing interest in new sources of natural antioxidants is justified, considering the above and general trend of using natural substances to replace synthetic ones.
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