Total Antioxidant Capacity Of Fruit Research Articles

Essential Oils from the Fruits and Leaves of Spondias mombin Linn.: Chemical Composition, Biological Activity, and Molecular Docking Study.

This work focused on characterizing the chemical constituents and evaluating the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the essential oils obtained from the fruit and leaves of Spondias mombin—a flowering plant of the Anacardiaceae family. Essential oils were extracted through steam distillation and characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. For the fruit essential oil, 35 compounds were obtained, and 25 compounds were identified in the leaf essential oil. The dominant compounds present in the fruit essential oil were (E)-ethyl cinnamate (14.06%) and benzyl benzoate (12.27%). Methyl salicylate (13.05%) and heptacosane (12.69%) were the abundant compounds in the leaf essential oil. The antioxidant activity of the essential oils was evaluated via phosphomolybdenum, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assays. The total antioxidant capacity of fruit and leaf essential oils was 48.5 ± 0.7 μg/gAAE and 48.5 ± 0.7 μg/g AAE, respectively. The half maximal scavenging concentrations of the essential oils in the hydrogen peroxide; DPPH and TBARS assays ranged from 252.2 μg/mL to 2288 μg/mL. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oils was tested using broth dilution and disc diffusion assays against eight microorganisms. The essential oils exhibited broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against the microorganisms with minimum inhibitory concentrations of 9.75–50 mg/mL. Also, the zones of inhibition of the oils ranged from 12 mm to 25 mm. The biofilm inhibitory activities of the oils were dose-dependent with BIC50 values of 42.49 ± 0.1 mg/mL and 97.34 ± 0.6 mg/mL for fruit and leaf essential oils, respectively. Molecular docking studies revealed that the antibiofilm action of the fruit and leaf essential oils could be due to inhibition of the quorum sensing protein, LasR. The results suggest a possible application of the oils as antioxidant and antimicrobial agents.

Different Fruit-Specific Promoters Drive AtMYB12 Expression to Improve Phenylpropanoid Accumulation in Tomato.

Tomato is an economically crucial vegetable/fruit crop globally. Tomato is rich in nutrition and plays an essential role in a healthy human diet. Phenylpropanoid, a critical compound in tomatoes, reduces common degenerative and chronic diseases risk caused by oxidative stress. As an MYB transcription factor, ATMYB12 can increase phenylpropanoid content by activating phenylpropanoid synthesis related genes, such as PAL, C4H, 4CL, CHS. However, the heterologous expression of AtMYB12 in tomatoes can be altered through transgenic technologies, such as unstable expression vectors and promoters with different efficiency. In the current study, the efficiency of other fruit-specific promoters, namely E8S, 2A12, E4, and PG, were compared and screened, and we determined that the expression efficiency of AtMYB12 was driven by the E8S promoter was the highest. As a result, the expression of phenylpropanoid synthesis related genes was regulated by AtMYB12, and the phenylpropanoid accumulation in transgenic tomato fruits increased 16 times. Additionally, the total antioxidant capacity of fruits was measured through Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assay, which was increased by 2.4 times in E8S transgenic lines. TEAC was positively correlated with phenylpropanoid content. Since phenylpropanoid plays a crucial role in the human diet, expressing AtMYB12 with stable and effective fruit-specific promoter E8S could improve tomato’s phenylpropanoid and nutrition content and quality. Our results can provide genetic resources for the subsequent improvement of tomato varieties and quality, which is significant for human health.

Total antioxidant capacity of fruits commonly consumed in Gujarat

The total antioxidant activity, vitamin C and total phenols were measured from sixteen fruits and four peels. The vitamin C content ranged from 8.33 to 72 mg per cent for fruits and 8.25 to 23.33 mg per cent for fruit peels. Total phenols levels were found between 156.7 to 670.7 mg per cent for fruits and 441.0 to 1042.9 mg per cent for fruit peels. Orange, pupnus, pineapple, lemon, mango, date (red) and grape(red) had high vitamin C content whereas plum, pear, papaya, apple, pineapple, orange, date(red), mango and date (yellow) had high content of phenols on fresh weight basis. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) expressed as per cent inhibition of lenoleic acid oxidation ranged from a high of 70.88 per cent in pineapple to a low of 8.85 per cent in sapota. In case of fruit peels, it was highest for apple peel (81.47%) and lowest for pupnus peel (16.48%). Other fruits found to have higher TAC (>30%) were plum, date (red), apple, date (yellow), orange, pupnus, banana, pear and mango.

Methyl jasmonate effectively enhanced some defense enzymes activity and Total Antioxidant content in harvested "Sabrosa" strawberry fruit.

The use of chemicals in postharvest technology of horticultural crops is highly restricted and it is necessary to introduce safe food preserving methods. Strawberry is very susceptible to postharvest losses and more than 50% of harvested fruit is lost in Iran. Effect of postharvest treatment with methyl jasmonate (at 0, 8, and 16 μmol L−1) on some quality attributes of Sabrosa strawberry fruit during storage at 1 ± 0.5°C with 90–95% RH for 14 days followed by 24 h at 20°C was studied. Methyl jasmonate, at both concentrations, decreased weight loss and retained marketability of fruits. Catalase activity of treated fruits was decreased during the first days, but showed a substantial increase during the second week. Methyl jasmonate, in a concentration‐dependent manner, enhanced peroxidase activity. Fruit total antioxidant capacity was enhanced by methyl jasmonate treatment. The results indicated that methyl jasmonate plays a key role in establishing resistance against stresses, enhancing fruit defense systems, antioxidant capacity, and storage life leading to decreased postharvest losses. This phytochemical has a good potential to be used in postharvest technology of Sabrosa strawberry fruit and enhance the fruit postharvest life.

Antioxidant properties of saskatoon berry (Amelanchier alnifoliaNutt.) fruits

Introduction. Saskatoon berry (Amelanchier alnifolia Nutt.) is a promising fruit species originating from North America. Among pomaceous fruits, saskatoon berries are a valuable source of chemical compounds with an antioxidant effect. Materials and methods. The total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and their correlation associated with the total antioxidant capacity of fruit of five particular cultivars were ascertained. Reactive oxygen species (specifically nitric oxide, superoxide anion and hydroxyl radical) and antioxidant activity in the liver lipid system of their methanolic extracts were also assessed. Results and discusssion. In saskatoon berry cultivars the total contents of phenolic compounds ranged from (2.52 to 3.82) g gallic acid Eq·kg–1 of fresh mass, while the values of total antioxidant capacity were observed to be from (4.17 to 5.29) g of ascorbic acid Eq·kg–1 of fresh mass. High correlation coefficients between phenolics as well as flavonoids and antioxidant capacity were calculated (r2 = 0.8921 and r2 = 0.9901, respectively). Nitric oxide, superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical and antioxidant activity in the liver lipid system of saskatoon berry fruit methanolic extracts (10%) were provided for the first time. In the case of nitric oxide, the inhibitions were 21.08–27.52%; as regards superoxide anion, they were 25.14–30.73%; concerning hydroxyl radical, 18.25–21.18%, and in respect of antioxidant activity in the liver lipid system, 7.90–8.38%. These inhibitions are stronger than, e.g., in apples which are the most important species of pomaceous fruit worldwide. Conclusions. Saskatoon berry fruit could be a suitable supplement for modern human nutrition. Furthermore, our work contributes to the popularisation of this pomaceous species, with the focus on its potential in relation to high antioxidant strength.

Effect of summer pruning on some fruit quality traits in Hayward kiwifruit

Introduction . The aim of our study was to analyze the effect of various levels of light availability in the fruit microenvironment (induced by summer pruning) on some fruit quality traits. Materials and methods . Two levels of summer pruning were set: removal of either 30% or 60% of the canopy leaf area. These treatments were compared with the control (unpruned vines). Two canopy layers (upper and lower) were identified in each treatment and in the control vines. At harvest, yield per cane and per shoot was recorded in the two canopy layers; fruit fresh weight, flesh firmness, total soluble solid content and total titratable acidity were measured. Fruit Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) and Total Polyphenols (TPH) were determined at kiwifruit harvest and post-harvest (60 days after storage at 1 °C) in relation to their position within the canopy (layer) and to the pruning treatment applied. Results . Removing 60% of the canopy leaf area induced higher titratable acidity and flesh firmness of kiwifruits at harvest; it reduced fruit weight and crop yield, but increased TAC and TPH compared with kiwifruits of control. Removing 30% leaf area did not reduce mean fruit weight and crop yield; it increased TAC and TPH at harvest by 20%. Post-harvest TAC and TPH evolution did not differ among treatments. Discussion and conclusion . Pergola-trained kiwifruit vines showed good performances in terms of crop yield and fruit quality when summer pruning reduced the Leaf Area Index (LAI) to 3. More intense pruning resulted in a significant increase in fruit TAC, but reduced fruit weight and crop yield, and delayed softening of pulp.

Effect of different light transmittance paper bags on fruit quality and antioxidant capacity in loquat

Bagging has been widely used to improve the commercial value of fruit. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different light transmittance paper bags on the quality and antioxidant capacity of loquat fruit. Two loquat cultivars, Baiyu and Ninghaibai (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.), were used for materials. One-layered white paper bags (OWPB) with approximately 50% light transmittance and two-layered paper bags with a black inner layer and a grey outer layer (TGDPB) with approximately 0% light transmittance were used as treatments and unbagged fruits were used as the control (CK) in this experiment. Fruit quality was determined by physicochemical characteristics, the quantity of sugar, total phenolic, flavonoid, carotenoid and vitamin C. The antioxidant capacities of the methanol extracted from the pulp were tested using three different assays. The results showed that bagging decreased the weight of fruit but promoted the appearance of loquat fruits. The total sugar content in the fruit bagged with OWPB was higher than in controls and in fruit bagged with TGDPB. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were decreased by both bagging treatments, with the lowest occurring in the fruit bagged with TGDPB. Bagging also decreased the total antioxidant capacity of the fruit pulp, which was again lower in TGDPB-treated fruits than in those bagged using OWPB. Correlation analysis showed a linear relationship between total antioxidant capacity and the content of total phenolic and flavonoid. The results showed that different light transmittance bags had different effects on fruit quality and antioxidant capacity. In particular, bags with low light transmittance (TGDPB) decreased the inner quality and total antioxidant capacity of loquat fruit. All results indicated that bagging with OWPB was more suitable for maintaining the quality of the loquat fruit than bagging with TGDPB.

The effects of organic amendments on mineral element uptake and fruit quality of raspberries

The organic produce industry is gaining popularity with consumers because of the perception for healthier foods and the environmental benefits of this agricultural practice. Common amendments in organic agriculture include compost and compost tea, the latter being a relatively new product in North America. The main objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of ruminant and municipal solid waste compost and compost teas made from these composts on selected soil, leaf and fruit parameters of raspberries. Generally, foliar compost tea application was as effective as compost addition in raspberry production. Concentrations of K in leaf and fruits were significantly lower (p = 0.05) in compost tea treated raspberries. Furthermore, the compost tea increased leaf Na compared to compost amendments which suggested that raspberries preferentially take up Na via foliar applications compared to root Na applications. The yield, total antioxidant capacity of fruit, and vitamin C content of fruit were not affected by treatment but differed greatly among years. Precipitation also varied greatly among years as did soil nutrient concentrations and may have influenced yield, total antioxidant capacity, and vitamin C content.

Quality, Nutritional Value and Therapeutical Properties of Foods: Highlights in Fruit Research

Fruits possess different antioxidant properties depending on their content in antioxidants. The consumer is aware of the importance of looking for diets containing a large array of compounds that may help the organisms in the daily struggle against chronic diseases. If fruit intake is not sufficient to support the RDA for several micronutrients, an interesting help can be that of foods naturally enriched with antioxidants. The evaluation of Total Antioxidant Capacity of fruits is of pivotal importance in assessing the nutritional attributes of fruits and other horticultural products. By means of specific breeding programs it is possible to select antioxidant enriched fruit varieties. These features are susceptible to be improved through generations in order to release fruits with enhanced nutritional features. The availability of high quality and nutritionally enriched fruit at competitive costs may be a useful tool in the planning of healthy diets.

Update on fruit antioxidant capacity: a key tool for Mediterranean diet

To review and update the most relevant research dealing with the antioxidant properties of fruits which can be useful in Mediterranean and other healthy diets. Personal perspectives and late data. International. The evaluation of total antioxidant capacity of fruits is of pivotal importance in assessing the nutritional attributes of these products. By means of specific breeding programmes, it is possible to select antioxidant-enriched fruit varieties. These features are susceptible to be improved through generations in order to release fruits with enhanced nutritional features. The availability of high quality and nutritionally enriched fruit at competitive costs may be a useful tool in the planning of healthy diets.

The antioxidant profile of three different peaches cultivars (Prunus persica) and their short-term effect on antioxidant status in human

Total polyphenols, carotenoids and vitamin C were assessed in three different peaches cultivars (Prunus persica): ‘Luisa Berselli’ (LB), ‘Stark Earlyglo’ (SE) and ‘Maria Serena’ (MS). Total antioxidant capacity of fruits and plasma antioxidant activity after ingestion of fruits were determined as Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and as plasma total radical-trapping potential (TRAP) respectively. The amount of polyphenols, carotenoids and vitamin C resulted to be generally similar in the three cultivars. TEAC, measured from harvest to 7 days postharvest, resulted to be influenced mainly by vitamin C content, whereas polyphenols and carotenoids seemed to play a secondary role. Although TEAC was similar in the three cultivars, only LB significantly increased the TRAP in human plasma at 1, 2 and 4 h after ingestion of peaches. Sugar moiety, condensed and glycoside phenols are suggested to be involved in the higher effect on plasma TRAP of LB.

Total antioxidant and ascorbic acid content of fresh fruits and vegetables: implications for dietary planning and food preservation.

Epidemiological evidence links high intake of ascorbic acid (AA) and other antioxidant micronutrients to health promotion. It would be useful to know the overall, or 'total' antioxidant capacity of foods, to establish the contribution of AA to this, and to assess how this information may translate into dietary intakes to meet the new US daily reference intake for AA. In this study, the total antioxidant capacity, as the ferric reducing-antioxidant power (FRAP) value, and AA content of thirty-four types of fruits and vegetables were measured using a modified version of the FRAP assay, known as FRASC. This measures AA (reduced form only) simultaneously with the FRAP value. Results covered a wide range: 880-15940 micromol/kg fresh wet weight and <20-540 mg/kg fresh wet weight respectively, for FRAP and AA, which comprised < 1-73 % and < 1-59 % total antioxidant capacity of fruits and vegetables respectively. We estimate that 100 mg AA is contained in one orange, a few strawberries, one kiwi fruit, 1-2 slices of pineapple, several florets of raw cauliflower or a handful of uncooked spinach leaves. Apples, bananas, pears and plums, the most commonly consumed fruits in the UK, contain very little AA. Results indicate also that the antioxidant capacity of vegetables decreases rapidly and significantly after fragmentation. Results of this, and future studies, using FRASC as a biomonitoring tool will be useful in food production, preparation, preservation, and aid dietary choices to increase antioxidant and AA intake. Furthermore, FRASC will facilitate bioavailability studies of antioxidants from different foods of known antioxidant capacity and AA content.