Antioxidant Β-carotene Research Articles

Nerve Regeneration Potential of Antioxidant-Modified Black Phosphorus Quantum Dots in Peripheral Nerve Injury.

Peripheral nerve injury is a major societal concern. Black phosphorus (BP) has inherent advantages over cell-based therapies in regenerative medicine. However, controlling spontaneous degradation and size-dependent cytotoxicity remains challenging and poses difficulties for clinical translation. In this study, we constructed zero-dimensional BP quantum dots (QDs) modified with antioxidant β-carotene and comprehensively investigated them in Schwann cells (SCs) to elucidate their potential for peripheral nerve repair. In vitro experiments demonstrated that BPQD@β-carotene has an inappreciable toxicity and good biocompatibility, favoring neural regrowth, angiogenesis, and inflammatory regulation of SCs. Furthermore, the PI3K/Akt and Ras/ERK1/2 signaling pathways were activated in SCs at the genetic, protein, and metabolite levels. The BPQD@β-carotene-embedded GelMA/PEGDA scaffold enhanced functional recovery by promoting axon remyelination and regeneration and facilitating intraneural angiogenesis in peripheral nerve injury models of rats and beagle dogs. These results contribute to advancing knowledge of BP nanomaterials in tissue regeneration and show significant potential for application in translational medicine.

Biochemical Characterization of New Sweet Orange Mutants Rich in Lycopene and β-Carotene Antioxidants.

Carotenoid-rich foods such as citrus fruits have a wide range of functions in human health. They primarily exert antioxidant effects, but individual carotenoids may also act through other health-promoting mechanisms such as β-carotene as pro-vitamin A. Here, we show that red-fleshed sweet oranges grown in tropical climates are 4-9 times richer in carotenoids than their orange-fleshed counterparts, regardless of their maturation stage. The most significant difference observed between both varieties was the presence of lycopene at moderate concentrations (around 8 µg/g FW) in the mature pulp of the red varieties, which was absent in the blond ones. This is because the red-fleshed sweet oranges grown in tropical climates with high temperatures increase lycopene and β-carotene concentrations in their pulp during fruit maturation. Due to lycopene accumulation, red orange juice offers a promising addition to popular blond-orange, with the new varieties Carrancas and Pinhal being perfectly suitable for blending to enhance juice colour. Sao Paulo, one of the world's leading citrus orange juice producers, as well as other tropical citrus regions could benefit from cultivating using such lycopene-rich cultivars and industrially.

The Efficacy of β-Carotene in Cow Reproduction: A Review.

β-carotene supplementation improves the reproductive performance of cattle. However, the research results on this topic have been inconsistent, and no clear conclusion has been reached. In previous reviews of this topic, the functional mechanism of β-carotene in reproduction remained unclear, but subsequent studies have shown that the antioxidant effects of β-carotene protect enzymes involved in ovarian sex steroid hormone production from the effects of oxygen radicals. This role consequently affects normal ovarian follicle dynamics, maintenance of luteal function, and the estrous cycle, and indirectly improves reproductive performance by preventing perinatal diseases and facilitating recovery from these diseases. Several factors must be considered in feeding management to determine whether β-carotene supplementation is effective for improving reproductive performance in cows. The same is true when the animal consumes a large amount of the antioxidant β-carotene due to lactation, aging, or season. Therefore, it is important to consider the balance between the supply and consumption of β-carotene and evaluate whether β-carotene supplementation has an effect on reproductive performance in cows.

Natural antioxidants enhance the oxidation stability of blended oils enriched in unsaturated fatty acids.

Rancidity causes unpleasant tastes and smells, and the degradation of fatty acids and natural antioxidants, so that an oil is unfit to be consumed. Natural antioxidants, including tocopherols, polyphenols (sesamol, canolol, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, etc.), β-carotene, squalene and phytosterols, contribute to delay the oxidation of vegetable oils. However, studies on the combination of natural antioxidants to lengthen the shelf life of unsaturated fatty acid-rich blended oil have not been reported. All of the composite antioxidants had the potential to significantly improve the oxidation stability of blended oil. Blended oil G with 0.05 g kg-1 β-carotene, 0.25 g kg-1 sesamol and 0.25 g kg-1 caffeic acid showed the best anti-autooxidation. It is also effective in improving the oxidative stability of vegetable oils containing various fatty acids. The oxidation stability index of the blended oil containing the optimum composition of natural antioxidants was 2.17-fold longer than that of the control sample. After the end of accelerated oxidation, the oil's peroxide value, p-anisidine value and total oxidation value were 6.59 times, 12.26 times and 6.65 times lower than those of the control sample, respectively. (1) The combination of natural antioxidants β-carotene (0.05 g kg-1 ), sesamol (0.25 g kg-1 ) and caffeic acid (0.25 g kg-1 ) enhances the oxidative stability of unsaturated fatty acid-rich blended oils. (2) β-Carotene is the main antioxidant in the early stages of oxidation. (3) Sesamol and caffeic acid are the main antioxidants in the middle and late stages of oxidation. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Oxidation Stability of Hazelnut Oil Supplemented with β-Carotene During Light Exposure Using Xenon Test Instrument

Objective: The inhibition of lipid oxidation is important for the application of edible fats and oils in food processing. High oleic oils exhibit high stability during oxidation. Hazelnut oil, naturally rich in oleic acid, has recently become widely used in the food industry due to its high oxidation stability. Antioxidants are added to oils to make them more resistant to oxidation. β-carotene is a natural antioxidant and leads to increased resistance to photooxidation. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of a natural antioxidant β-carotene on light-induced lipid stability of hazelnut oils.
 Materials and Methods: The hazelnut oil was supplemented with β-carotene in 25 ppm. Not-supplemented hazelnut oil (HO) and the beta-carotene added hazelnut oil (HO with β-car.) were irradiated in a xenon test instrument by different light intensities at 275 and 765 W/m2 for 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42 and 48 hours. Fatty acids from the hazelnut oil samples were determined as fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) using GC-FID method. To investigate the degree of oxidation of the hazelnut oil samples, the induction time with an accelerated aging test using a Rancimat, peroxide value, volatile lipid oxidation compounds using SPME-GC-FID and antioxidative capacity using DPPH-radical scavenging assay were measured.
 Results: The results indicated that the change in fatty acid composition with irradiation intensity and duration of irradiation is not so strong. Among the fatty acids, a significant change was detected only in the linoleic acid content between the HO and the HO with β-car. after light exposure. The amounts of hexanal, heptenal, E-2,4-heptadienel, nonenal, and nonanoic acid increased after photooxidation. The antioxidant capacity of the hazelnut oil samples decreased during light exposure. After light exposure, HO with β-car. showed a higher induction time and lower peroxide value compared to HO.
 Conclusion: These results confirm that the β-carotene supplemented hazelnut oil showed higher oxidative stability than hazelnut oil without additional β-carotene. In conclusion, the results suggest that β-carotene could slow down the photooxidation of hazelnut oil.

Cowpea isoflavones enhance the osteoblast differentiation and antioxidant capacity in synergy with vitamin D and β-carotene: A mechanistic in vitro study.

Background: Osteoporosis (OS) is a pathological condition that makes bones susceptible to fractures by affecting the balance between bone formation and resorption. Recent literature uncovered the possible potential of bioactive compounds with antioxidant mechanisms to counter the issue. Cowpea (CP) isoflavones based on our previous study, vitamin D and natural antioxidant β-carotene for its pleotropic protective effects were assessed alone and in combination. Aim: The study aims to assess the antioxidant and osteoblast differentiation abilities of cowpea isoflavones alone and in combination of vitamin D (VD) and β-carotene (BC) in the human osteosarcoma cell line Saos2. Methods: Saos2 cells were maintained in cell culture conditions and concentrations of CP extract (genistein + daidzein), BC and VD required to increase cell proliferation were estimated using MTT assay. Upon treating cells with the EC50 concentrations, lysates were prepared and levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin were evaluated using ELISA. Oxidative stress parameters and osteoblast differentiation markers were evaluated. Results: CP extract (genistein + daidzein), BC and VD concentrations which enhanced the cell proliferation rate were determined and elevated levels of ALP and osteocalcin upon treatment was observed. Anti-oxidant stress parameters studied showed an increase in cells upon treatment compared to control. Significant alterations in levels of protein involved in osteoblast differentiation are observed upon treatment. Conclusion: Cowpea isoflavones has shown a significant activity against OS by elevating antioxidant parameters and inducing osteoblast differentiation in the present study.

Oxidative stress coping capacity (OSC) value: Development and validation of an in vitro measurement method for blood plasma using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) and vitamin C.

Oxidative stress as a driver of disease is reinforcing the trend towards supplementation with antioxidants. While antioxidants positively influence the redox status when applied at physiological doses, higher concentrations may have pro-oxidative effects. Precise assessment methods for testing the supply of antioxidants are lacking. Using in-situ-irradiation as stressor and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy as readout system for formed radicals, a stress response assessment method was developed, using protein solutions and plasma samples from transfusion medicine. The method was validated in a double-blind placebo-controlled in vivo cross-over pilot study in blood plasma samples of individuals before and after vitamin C supplementation. Reference measurements were performed for the exogenous antioxidants β-carotene and vitamin C, and glutathione as an endogenous representative. Malondialdehyde was studied for oxidative stress indication. Protein solutions without antioxidants showed a linear increase in radical concentration during irradiation. The in-vitro-addition of vitamin C or plasma samples from subjects displayed two slopes (m1, m2) for radical production, whereby m1 represented the amount of antioxidants and proteins, m2 only the protein content. These two slopes in combination with the intervening transition area (T) were used to calculate the oxidative stress coping capacity (OSC), which correlated positively with vitamin C concentration in blood plasma, while oxidative stress biomarkers showed only fluctuations within their reference ranges. Furthermore, a selective radical quenching mechanism for vitamin C was observed: the proportion of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the plasma samples was degraded in dependence to the vitamin C concentration ingested. The proportion of lipid oxygen species (LOS) remained stable while the ascorbyl radical increased with higher vitamin C intake. OSC may represent a sensitive method to detect treatment effects on the redox status in vivo in future validation and treatment studies, and potentially in clinical routine.

Date Palm Industrial Benefits and Secondary Metabolites Production by Biotechnology Approach

Abstract. Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.), commonly grown in the hot arid zones predominantly in the Middle East and North Africa, became one of the highly important cultivated palms around the world, because of the multiple processing utilization of the edible fruit, and the various industry- uses of the whole tree parts. Moreover, there are intensive studies indicated the higher nutraceutical value of the essential biological compounds in the date palm tissues like (carotenoids, phenols, lignin, flavonoids, tannins and sterols) and their therapeutic aspects, such as antioxidants (lutein, β-carotene and vitamin A), antibacterial (syringic acid, vanillic acid and gallic acid), antifungal (tannic acid) and anti-cancer (quercetin) and anti-sterility (β-sitosterol and stigmasterol). Meanwhile, the biotechnology approach provides the production possibilities of the plants' secondary metabolites, using cell suspension cultures and the scale-up by bioreactors. Also, using the biotic and abiotic elicitors as important factors inducing bioactive compounds accumulation in plants tissue cultures. This review describes the progress in studying the in vitro production of some important secondary metabolites from the date palm tissues.

Short-Term Effects of Supplemental L-Arginine, Diosmin, Troxerutin, and Hesperidin in Diabetic Patients: A Pilot Study.

Background and Aims Inflammatory, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction play a key role in the pathogenesis of long-term cardiovascular complications in patients with diabetes. The present observational prospective study is aimed at evaluating the effects of micronutrients and phytochemicals contained in the dietary supplement Flebotrofine® (AMNOL Chimica Biologica) on biochemical markers of inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and glycemic control in patients with diabetes. Methods 105 type 1 or type 2 diabetes patients regularly took a daily dose of the dietary supplement Flebotrofine® for three consecutive months, and haematological and biochemical parameters were checked at baseline, after three months of treatment, and one month after its suspension. Statistical comparison of the laboratory parameters was performed using the two-tailed ANOVA test for repeated samples with a statistical significance level set at p < 0.05. Results The daily use of Flebotrofine® did not change the glycemic metabolic compensation of enrolled patients. After three months of regular Flebotrofine® intake, the plasma levels of the antioxidant β-carotene and of arginine were significantly higher compared with the baseline values, with a decrease in the ADMA/arginine ratio. In contrast, apolipoprotein B, ApoB/ApoA1 ratio, and platelet and leukocyte counts significantly dropped. Conclusion The daily use of Flebotrofine® might be a valid supplement of arginine, the precursor of NO, and essential in the prevention of endothelial dysfunction. The regular intake of arginine and phytochemicals also improved the antioxidant and antithrombotic profile of enrolled patients. Therefore, Flebotrofine® could be a useful dietary supplement to prevent long-term complications in patients with diabetes.

Valorizing okara waste into nutritionally rich polysaccharide/protein-extracts for co-encapsulation of β-carotene and ferrous sulphate as a potential approach to tackle micronutrient malnutrition

Colossal amounts of food waste are generated and discarded daily at the expense of financial resources and at a detriment to the environment. One such food waste, okara - a soybean by-product, is valorized in this study by upcycling it into nutritional extracts for micronutrients encapsulation. Micronutrient malnutrition, particularly in the developing world, is a major public health challenge. Herein, okara extracts were obtained through a low-cost extraction process and was subsequently developed as an encapsulant material for micronutrients β-carotene, and ferrous sulphate encapsulation, using zein as an excipient. Spray-drying, as a scalable technique, was employed to produce variousformulations which were assessed forrelease profiles, shelf-life, β-carotene antioxidant activity and cell cytotoxicity. Finally, an optimized dual-micronutrient formulation displayed a sequential releasewith ferrous sulphate releasing in simulated gastric fluid, and β-carotene releasing predominantly in simulated intestinal fluid. This sequential release profile favors the absorption of both the micronutrients and could potentially enhance their bioavailability.

Chemical Composition, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of the Essential Oils from Rhizomes and Leaves of Alpinia conchigera Griff. (Zingiberaceae)

This study was conducted to assess the potential of essential oils isolated from rhizomes and leaves of Alpinia conchigera as a source of bioactive compounds through the characterization of its chemical composition, antioxidant, and anti-microbial activities. Essential oils (EOs) from the leaves and rhizomes of this species were isolated using the hydrodistillation method. The chemical compositions of EOs were analyzed by using GC and GC-MS. The major compound of the rhizome EO was eucalyptol (60.58 %), whereas the most abundant compound in the leaf EO was β-bisabolene (46.70 %). The rhizome EO contained the most abundant polyphenolic compounds that possessed higher antioxidant activities compared to leaf EO and the reference antioxidant agent butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). In addition, there exist a positive correlation between total phenolic content and antioxidant activities using DPPH (R2= 0.7634, p < 0.05) and β-carotene antioxidant activity (R2 = 0.6865, p < 0.05). Disc diffusion assay of the essential oils indicated that the rhizome oil possessed moderate inhibitory activity against all tested bacteria and fungi, whereas leaf EO inhibited only Gram-positive bacteria. The results indicated the potential of these EOs to exert beneficial antibacterial and antifungal effects and could serve as a promising natural cheap source of antioxidants that could be used in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Determination of Antioxidant Properties and β-Carotene in Orange Fruits and Vegetables by an Oxidation Voltammetric Assay

Recently, the evaluation of antioxidant properties using voltammetric techniques based on electrooxidation has attracted considerable attention. In this study, the antioxidant capacity, total phenolic compounds, and β-carotene content of orange-fleshed fruits and vegetables, including carrots, persimmons, and pumpkins, were evaluated by standard and electrochemical methods. The antioxidant capacity, evaluated by the ABTS and DPPH measurements, and the total phenolic compounds were determined spectrophotometrically. The results were expressed as Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and gallic acid, respectively. The β-carotene contents of the samples were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Electrochemical measurements were performed with differential pulse voltammetry at a sensor formed by attaching single-walled carbon nanotubes onto the glassy carbon electrode surface. Trolox, gallic acid, and β-carotene were determined electrochemically with high sensitivity, repeatability, and low detection limits. Regression analysis was performed to correlate the results of the spectrophotometric assays and HPLC with those obtained electrochemically and satisfactory results were obtained.

Microwave-assisted extraction as an advanced technique for optimisation of limonoid yields and antioxidant potential from Trichilia roka (Meliaceae)

Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to predict optimum conditions for microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) of total limonoid (TL) and antioxidant potential investigation from Trichilia roka (Chiov) root bark. A central composite design methodology (CCDM) was used to minor the effect of the independent variables such as irradiation time (X1), irradiation power (X2), liquid-to-solid ratio (X3) and methanol polarity (X4) on the dependent variables namely total limonoid (TL), total polyphenol (TPP), DPPH radical scavenging activity and β-carotene antioxidant activity (AOA). The optimal combined conditions for extracting maximum TL (116 ​mg RUBE/gDW), TPP (12.5 ​g GAE/100gDW) and antioxidant activity (DPPH 90.1%; AOA 90.5%) were irradiation time 80 ​s, irradiation power 600 ​W, liquid to solid ratio 0.6/20 ​mL/g and methanol concentration 40%. All the factors significantly (p ​< ​0.01) influenced the responses, the variations from the independent variables corresponding significantly to the predicted polynomial model and the maximum values estimated at the predicted optimal condition were in good agreement with experimental value. In conclusion MAE of antioxidant compounds from Trichilia roka (Chiov) root bark is highly influenced by equipment parameters of functioning (microwave irradiation time and power) as well as the solvent (liquid to solid ratio and methanol concentration), following a second degree polynomial model.

Chemical composition, antioxidant and insecticidal activities of a new essential oil chemotype of Pinus nigra ssp. mauritanica (Pinaceae), Northern Algeria

Essential oil (EO) of aerial parts (twigs and needles) of an Algerian-Moroccan endemic pine Pinus nigra Arn. ssp. mauritanica (Mair. & Pey.) (Pinaceae) collected in Northern Algeria were extracted by hydrodistillation (HD) and solid phase micro-extraction (SPME). The compounds were analysed using Gas Chromatography (GC) and GC-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The mean oil yield was 0.23%, for twigs and 0.47% for needles. 83 and 91 compounds have been identified for needles and twigs respectively. Chemical divergences from all other studied Black pines worldwide were observed in needles where the major components identified by HD are β-caryophyllene (26.2%), germacrene D (17.2%), α-pinene (9.4%) unveiling a new chemotype. Significative qualitative and quantitative differences were observed in chemical composition, depending on both technics HD and SPME. Twigs showed a higher potential for the antioxidant activities DPPH, ABTS and β-carotene system than EO needles. In other hand, needles revealed a higher activity for all concentrations than twigs with significant differences (p < 0.05). For phosphomolybden tests, both EOs exhibited more significant antioxidant potential compared to the DPPH, ABTS, β-carotene and reducing power systems. Noticeable insecticidal effects with variable rate depending on used plant parts, concentration, duration and frequency of exposure were also observed.

Potential Adverse Effect of Ultrasound on the Electroretinogram of Retina and the Protective Role of Different Types of Antioxidants

Background: Applications of ultrasound in medicine for therapeutic purposes have been an accepted and beneficial use of ultrasonic biological effects for many years but exposure to ultrasound can generate oxidative stress. Aim: The aim of the present study is to investigate the changes in the function of the retina due to ultrasound exposure and the protecting role of vitamin C and/or β-carotene by using electroretinogram (ERG). Materials and Methods: Newzealand albino rabbits of both sexes classified into five groups. Group (I) used as control group. The eyes of group (II) Insonificated with continuous ultrasound waves (1.5 W/cm2 at 2.8 MHz) for 20, 40 and 60 minutes. Group (III) was insonificated with vitamin C instillation and group (IV) insonificated after -carotene supplementation. Group (V) was insonificated after combination of the two treatments. Results: Statistically significant reduction (P˂ 0.05) in a- waves amplitude after insonification and exceeding with increase exposure time 20, 40 and 60 min was observed. The amplitudes of a-wave after treatment with topical and supplemented or both remained significantly larger compared with those exposure to US only but its latency lower than that found in insonified groups. In addition, the b-waves were found to follow the same behavior as a-wave. Conclusion: The study recommended considering oral β-carotene antioxidant in combination with vitamin C eye drops as a medical tool and personal protective in ultrasound equipment in provide safety.

Inhibitory Effect of β-Carotene on Helicobacter pylori-Induced TRAF Expression and Hyper-Proliferation in Gastric Epithelial Cells.

Helicobacter pylori infection causes the hyper-proliferation of gastric epithelial cells that leads to the development of gastric cancer. Overexpression of tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor (TRAF) is shown in gastric cancer cells. The dietary antioxidant β-carotene has been shown to counter hyper-proliferation in H. pylori-infected gastric epithelial cells. The present study was carried out to examine the β-carotene mechanism of action. We first showed that H. pylori infection decreases cellular IκBα levels while increasing cell viability, NADPH oxidase activity, reactive oxygen species production, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) activation, and TRAF1 and TRAF2 gene expression, as well as protein–protein interaction in gastric epithelial AGS cells. We then demonstrated that pretreatment of cells with β-carotene significantly attenuates these effects. Our findings support the proposal that β-carotene has anti-cancer activity by reducing NADPH oxidase-mediated production of ROS, NF-κB activation and NF-κB-regulated TRAF1 and TRAF2 gene expression, and hyper-proliferation in AGS cells. We suggest that the consumption of β-carotene-enriched foods could decrease the incidence of H. pylori-associated gastric disorders.

Chemical characterization, antioxidant and anti-HIV activities of a Brazilian propolis from Ceará state

Propolis (bee glue) a product of Apis mellifera L. is a resinous mixture containing chiefly beeswax and resin harvested by bees from plant leaves, buds and exudates. Extracts of a propolis sample from Salitre, a municipality of Ceará state (northeast Brazil) were obtained with solvents of increasing polarity (hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol). A chemical profile was carried out by GC–EI-MS and HPLC–DAD–ESI-MS/MS. Lupenone, lupeol, octanoic acid tetracosyl ester and octanoic acid hexacosyl ester were identified by GC–EI-MS. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by the DPPH and β-carotene discoloring methods, and anti-HIV activity by the in vitro inhibition of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. The ethyl acetate extract exhibited the highest antioxidant and anti-HIV activity and was fractioned by column chromatography using silica gel and seven different eluents. The active fractions were submitted to semi preparative HPLC and the following compounds were isolated: caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, diprenylcinnamic acid, quercetin, naringenin, isorhamnetin, quercetin-3-O-diglucoside,4,2′,4′-trihydroxy-2-methoxychalcone, gossypetin-3,3′,4′,7-tetramethyl ether, myricetin-3,7,3′-trimethyl ether and 5-hydroxy-3,6,7,8,4′-pentamethoxyflavone. The ethyl acetate extract and its fractions F5-F7, as well as quercetin, isorhamnetin, myricetin-3,7,3′-trimethyl ether and p-coumaric acid exhibited high antioxidant activity on both DPPH and β-carotene antioxidant methods. Isorhamnetin exhibited moderate inhibitory effect against HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (56.99±3.91%), followed by naringenin (44.22±1.71%), quercetin (43.41±4.56%) and diprenylcinnamic acid (41.59±2.59%). These results agree with previous authors who reported anti-HIV activity of flavonoids.

Proximate Nutrient Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Pleurotus sapidus 969 Cultivated on Agave sisalana Saline Solid Waste

Effects of pure and mixed substrates of sisal waste, grass (Panicum coloratum) and a combination of the two substrates at 50:50 (w/w) on nutritional composition, minerals and antioxidant potential of sun-dried Pleurotus sapidus 969 were investigated in the present study. To determine the proximate chemical composition and antioxidant properties of the samples, standard analytical procedures were employed. Moisture content, crude protein and crude fibre ranged between 11.09-12.80%, 6.4-6.6% and 18.3-30.5%, respectively. Macro elements Ca, Mg, Na, K, and P were also found in substantial amounts with K being present in an exceedingly higher amount (541.3-657.1 mg/100g) than the other macro minerals. The samples from the three substrates contained antioxidant β-carotene (4.6-6.0 mg/100g), lycopene (4.9-5.1mg/100g), Vitamin C (5.2-5.6 mg/100g), phenols (361.0-859.0 mg of GA/g) and flavanoids (33.5-64.0 mg RE/g).Mushroom harvested from mixed substrates contained better nutritional qualities than the pure substrate, although the phenolic content in mushrooms cultivated on sisal substrate was higher. The results further showed that, all the extracts exhibited scavenging ability and metal chelating activity. The findings showed that Pleurotus sapidus 969 is rich in nutrients, macro minerals as well as natural antioxidant which could be explored for pharmaceutical applications.

벼 품종별 현미와 백미의 항산화력, 베타카로틴 및 비타민 E

벼 품종별 현미와 백미의 항산화력, 베타카로틴 및 비타민 E

Rice Germosprout Extract Protects Erythrocytes from Hemolysis and the Aorta, Brain, Heart, and Liver Tissues from Oxidative Stress In Vitro

Identifying dietary alternatives for artificial antioxidants capable of boosting antihemolytic and antioxidative defense has been an important endeavor in improving human health. In the present study, we studied antihemolytic and antioxidative effects of germosprout (i.e., the germ part along with sprouted stems plus roots) extract prepared from the pregerminated rice. The extract contained considerable amounts of antioxidant β-carotene (414 ± 12 ng/g of extract) and phytochemicals such as total polyphenols (12.0 ± 1.1 mg gallic acid equivalent/g of extract) and flavonoids (11.0 ± 1.4 mg catechin equivalent/g of extract). The antioxidant potential of the extract was assessed by its DPPH- (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl-) free radical scavenging activity where we observed that germosprout extract had considerable antioxidative potentials. To evaluate antihemolytic effect of the extract, freshly prepared erythrocytes were incubated with either peroxynitrite or Fenton's reagent in the absence or presence of the extract. We observed that erythrocytes pretreated with the extract exhibited reduced degree of in vitro hemolysis. To support the proposition that germosprout extract could act as a good antioxidative agent, we also induced in vitro oxidative stress in erythrocyte membranes and in the aorta, brain, heart, and liver tissue homogenates in the presence of the extract. As expected, germosprout extract decreased oxidative stress almost to the same extent as that of vitamin E, as measured by lipid peroxide levels, in all the mentioned tissues. We conclude that rice germosprout extract could be a good natural source of antioxidants to reduce oxidative stress-induced hemolysis and damage of blood vessels and other tissues.