Hydrophilic Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity Research Articles

カイコ（チョウ目：カイコガ科），コバネイナゴ（バッタ目：バッタ科）およびモンクロシャチホコ（チョウ目：シャチホコガ科）の水溶性抗酸化能

To evaluate the dietary antioxidant content of insects, we analyzed the hydrophilic oxygen radical absorbance capacity（H-ORAC） of silkworms（Bombyx mori Linnaeus）, and rice grasshoppers（Oxya yezoensis Shiraki）, which have been used as edible insects in Japan for many years, and Japanese buff-tip moths, Phalera flavescens（Bremer et Grey）, which feed on cherry blossom tree leaves. Among these three insects, the H-ORAC value was highest（7455±185 µmol Trolox eq./100 g FW）in O. yezoensis adults, followed by B. mori pupae（4417.5±270.1）, B. mori larvae（4280±189.1）, and P. flavescens larvae（4112.5±409.4）. The H-ORAC of all three insect species were more than twice those of most fresh vegetables, suggesting high antioxidant potential.

Dietary total antioxidant capacity and the risk of developing asthenozoospermia: a hospital-based case-control study in China.

Is dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC) associated with the odds of developing asthenozoospermia in Chinese men? There is no statistically significant association between DTAC indices and the odds of developing asthenozoospermia. Both diet and oxidative stress may be related to sperm quality; however, few studies have investigated the association between DTAC and sperm quality. This case-control study was conducted from June 2020 to December 2020. Those diagnosed with asthenozoospermia were assigned to the case group, whereas those with normal sperm parameters were assigned to the control group. Data from a total of 553 cases and 586 controls were included in the final analysis. Men who had been referred to the infertility clinic of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University were enrolled. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. DTAC was based on ferric-reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), total oxygen radical absorbance capacity (T-ORAC), hydrophilic oxygen radical absorbance capacity (H-ORAC), lipophilic oxygen radical absorbance capacity (L-ORAC), total phenolics (TP), total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter (TRAP), and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC). Asthenozoospermia was defined according to the criteria published in the fifth edition of the World Health Organization laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen. No significant association was observed between the DTAC indices and the odds of asthenozoospermia after multivariable adjustment (T3 vs T1, odds ratio (OR) = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.73-1.33 for FRAP; OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.77-1.42 for T-ORAC; OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.65-1.18 for H-ORAC; OR = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.71-1.34 for L-ORAC; OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.76-1.39 for TP; OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 0.87-1.59 for TRAP; and OR = 1.15, 95% CI: 0.85-1.55 for TEAC). Both additive and multiplicative interaction analyses suggested that smoking might modify the association of T-ORAC with the odds of developing asthenozoospermia (relative excess risk due to interaction = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.07-0.83, attributable proportion due to interaction = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.07-0.84 for additive interaction; P = 0.033 for multiplicative interaction). Recall bias and protopathic bias were inevitable in this retrospective case-control study. The estimation accuracy of the DTAC indices may have also affected the findings. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to specifically investigate whether an association exists between DTAC and the odds of developing asthenozoospermia. Although no significant association was found, this study provides novel information pertaining to the fields of nutrition and human reproduction. This work was supported by the JieBangGuaShuai Project of Liaoning Province (2021JH1/10400050), the Shengjing Hospital Clinical Research Project (M0071), and the Outstanding Scientific Fund of Shengjing Hospital (M1150). All authors have no competing interests to disclose. N/A.

Antioxidant activity of venison subjected to in vitro cooking and gastrointestinal digestion and isolation of its 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging peptides.

Venison, a type of game meat, has several health benefits because it contains not only high protein and low fat but also bioactive peptides with several physiological properties, including antioxidative and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory properties. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antioxidant activity of venison treated by in vitro cooking and gastrointestinal digestion. We subjected venison along with pork and beef to in vitro cooking and digestion and assessed their antioxidant activity via 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging (DPPH-RS) and hydrophilic oxygen radical absorbance capacity (H-ORAC) assays. The peptide contents of all types of cooked and digested meat samples were higher than those of the untreated and cooked samples. The DPPH-RS activities and H-ORAC of digested venison, pork, and beef were increased compared with those of untreated samples. DPPH-RS activity was significantly higher in the digested venison samples than in the digested pork and beef samples. In this study, several fractions of digested venison from the chromatography exhibited DPPH-RS activity. Peptide analysis, using liquid-chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, unveiled two peptides DIDDLELTLAK and TQTVCNFTDGALVQHQEWDGK with high DPPH-RS activities. Thus, venison is a rich source of antioxidant peptides and potentially demonstrate an antioxidation ability by digestive enzymes in vivo.

Effect of different tea manufacturing methods on the antioxidant activity, functional components, and aroma compounds of Ocimumgratissimum

Ocimum gratissimum is a herbaceous medicinal plant known for its high antioxidant activity. In the present study, we investigated the effect of different tea manufacturing processes in retaining the biochemical properties of O. gratissimum and determined which of the processes yields a high-quality tea. We determined the color tone, total polyphenol content (TPC), odor, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) values, and hydrophilic oxygen radical absorbance capacity (H-ORAC) of treated samples. Steaming time affected the color tone, TPC, DPPH value, chicoric acid content, and odor, while the drying temperature and fermentation treatment affected all the parameters. Furthermore, caryophyllene, germacrene-D, and eugenol were identified as the main aroma compounds in O. gratissimum. Our findings indicate that the drying temperature and fermentation treatment are the major factors affecting the biochemical properties and acceptance quality of O. gratissimum tea. Among the different treatments used, machine-drying without steaming treatment was the best on odor. Freeze-drying, which is more costly, was the best on the TPC and antioxidant activities; however, it was found that MD, which is relatively cheap compared to freeze-drying treatment, maintained high TPC, DPPH, H-ORAC values, and chicoric acid content by steaming for 2 min before drying.

Structure–antioxidant activity (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) relationships of phenolic compounds

Antioxidant capacity is the extent to which a compound can eliminate reactive oxygen species, and in vitro methods for its chemical evaluation have been proposed. Among these methods, the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay comes close to the oxidation reaction in the living body because it generates radical species that mimic the lipid peroxyl radical involved in the peroxidation reaction of biological components and react in a phosphate buffer. In this study, PM7, a semi-empirical molecular orbital method, was used to calculate the thermodynamic properties (bond dissociation enthalpy, ionisation potential and proton affinity) associated with ORAC. We also applied the clusterwise linear regression analysis as a statistical method for grouping the antioxidants by structure. By analysing the data for antioxidants, the trend in the hydrophilic ORAC values was determined using the calculated structures and bond dissociation enthalpies of the groups classified according to the presence or absence of oxygen functional groups in the ortho position of phenol. Further studies of indicators other than bond dissociation enthalpy are needed to predict the ORAC of other antioxidants such as flavonoids and indoles.

Hydrophilic oxygen radical absorbance capacity values of low-molecular-weight phenolic compounds containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

The antioxidant capacity of an antioxidant reflects its ability to remove reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, the hydrophilic oxygen radical absorbance capacity (H-ORAC) method was used to quantitatively evaluate the antioxidant capacities of natural phenols and their derivatives against peroxyl radicals. This method was comprehensively applied to low-molecular-weight phenols to construct a database. Although no macroscopic correlation was observed for values related to the antioxidant capacity expression, we observed a difference in the trend of the H-ORAC values for each functional group. Thus, this database will serve as a new benchmark and tool for molecular design.

Enzymatic Activities and Gene Transcript Levels Associated with the Augmentation of Antioxidant Constituents during Drought Stress in Lettuce

Efficient cultivation methods were investigated to promote the branding of products in plant factories. Moderate stress can enhance plant constituents that are beneficial for human health, without reducing yield. Dehydration stress in lettuce rhizospheres increased some antioxidants, including L-ascorbic acid (AsA) and polyphenols. In this study, the major factors contributing to the augmentation of antioxidant constituents were investigated. The drought treatment resulted in increased hydrophilic oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values but not hydrophobic ORAC values. Both activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, SOD, and ascorbate peroxidase, APX) were elevated under drought conditions. RNA-seq analysis revealed 33 upregulated and 115 downregulated differentially expressed genes, and 40 gene ontology enrichment categories. A dehydrin gene was the most significant among the upregulated genes in response to drought stress. Dehydrin protects plant cells from dryness through multiple functions, such as radical scavenging and protection of enzymes. Real-time PCR validated the substantial increase in some dehydrin paralogs with root desiccation. In conclusion, the enhancement of antioxidant levels by drought stress is likely not due to the induction of antioxidant enzyme genes, but due to increased enzymic activities. These activities might be protected by dehydrins encoded by the upregulated paralogs under drought stress.

Examining the Performance of Two Extraction Solvent Systems on Phenolic Constituents from U.S. Southeastern Blackberries

Two common extraction solvent systems, namely acidified aqueous methanol and acidified aqueous acetone, were used to extract blackberry phenolics, and the antioxidant properties of the recovered extracts were compared. The crude extracts were fractionated into low- and high-molecular-weight phenolics by Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. The hydrophilic-oxygen radical absorbance capacity (H-ORACFL), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and the cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) assays were employed as indices to assess antioxidant capacity of the extracts and their respective fractions. The methanolic solvent system displayed a greater efficiency at extracting anthocyanin and flavonol constituents from the blackberries, while the acetonic solvent system was better at extracting flavan-3-ols and tannins. Anthocyanins were the dominant phenolic class found in the blackberries with 138.7 ± 9.8 mg C3G eq./100 g f.w. when using methanol as the extractant and 114.6 ± 3.4 mg C3G eq./100 g f.w. when using acetone. In terms of overall antioxidant capacity of blackberry phenolics, the acetonic solvent system was superior. Though present only as a small percentage of the total phenolics in each crude extract, the flavan-3-ols (42.37 ± 2.44 and 51.44 ± 3.15 mg/100 g f.w. in MLF and ALF, respectively) and ellagitannins (5.15 ± 0.78 and 9.31 ± 0.63 mg/100 g f.w. in MHF and AHF, respectively) appear to account for the differences in the observed antioxidant activity between the two solvent systems.

Antioxidant-Rich Diet, GSTP1 rs1871042 Polymorphism, and Gastric Cancer Risk in a Hospital-Based Case-Control Study.

BackgroundChronic gastritis along with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has been implicated in inflammatory response-related genes linked to the causation of gastric cancer. Glutathione S-transferase Pi (GSTP1) plays a role in regulating oxidative stress and detoxification against carcinogenesis. In this study, we aimed to determine whether an antioxidant-rich diet is associated with gastric cancer risk and identify how this association could be altered by GSTP1 genetic variants.MethodsThis study included 1,245 participants (415 cases and 830 controls) matched for age and sex. The dietary antioxidant capacity was estimated based on the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) incorporated with a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of GSTP1 (rs1695, rs749174, rs1871042, rs4891, and rs947895) were selected among the exome array genotype data.ResultsHigh dietary ORAC was inversely associated with gastric cancer (hydrophilic ORAC OR T3 vs . T1, 95% CI = 0.57, 0.39–0.82, P = 0.004; lipophilic ORAC = 0.66, 0.45–0.95, P = 0.021; total phenolics = 0.57, 0.39–0.83, P = 0.005). The polymorphism rs1871042 increased the risk of gastric cancer (OR, 95% CI = 1.55, 1.10–2.16, P = 0.01, CT+TT vs. CC). A remarkably reduced risk of gastric cancer was observed among those who had a high dietary ORAC according to rs1871042 polymorphism (hydrophilic ORAC OR T3 vs . T1, 95% CI = 0.36, 0.17–0.78, P for trend = 0.013; lipophilic ORAC = 0.58, 0.37–0.93, P for trend = 0.021; total phenolics = 0.38, 0.17–0.83, P for trend = 0.019).ConclusionsOur findings indicate that dietary ORAC intake may be inversely associated with the risk of gastric cancer altered by genetic variants of GSTP1, providing new intervention strategies for gastric cancer patients.

Determination of Anthocyanins and Antioxidants in 'Titanbicus' Edible Flowers In Vitro and In Vivo.

Titanbicus (TB), a hybrid of Hibiscus moscheutos × H. coccineus (Medic.) Walt., has potential to be used as an edible flower. In this study, proximate nutritional content, anthocyanin content, total polyphenol content (TPC), and antioxidant activities in vitro and in vivo were investigated. Three cultivars of TB, namely Artemis (AR), Rhea (R), and Adonis (AD), were used as materials. Protein and carbohydrates were the primary macronutrients, while crude fat and ash were detected in trace amounts. Cyanidin 3-glucoside (Cy3-G) and cyanidin 3-sambubioside (Cy3-Sam), were identified in all TBs. The highest anthocyanin content was observed in AD (47.09 ± 1.45mg/g extract), followed by R and AR (6.04 ± 0.20 and 2.72 ± 0.11mg/g extract, respectively). The TPC of AD (225.01 ± 1.97mg/g extract) was greater than that of AR and R (185.41 ± 3.24 and 144.10 ± 1.71mg/g extract, respectively). AD exhibited the strongest in vitro antioxidant activity in hydrophilic oxygen radical absorbance capacity, compared to the other two TBs. In addition, AD extract suppressed the generation of reactive oxygen species in caudal fin of wounded zebrafish. Antioxidant activities of AD appeared to be related to its total anthocyanin content, Cy3-G, Cy3-Sam, and TPC. Our findings indicate that TB, particularly the AD cultivar, would be an attractive source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant activities, and can improve both nutritional value and appearance of food.

Cellular evaluation of the antioxidant activity of U.S. Pecans [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch]

Clinical trials show an inverse relationship between the consumption of antioxidant-rich tree nuts and the development of chronic diseases. This study examined antioxidant efficacy of U.S. pecans using a modified cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) assay with comparisons to data from in vitro antioxidant assays (hydrophilic-oxygen radical absorbance capacity {H-ORACFL} and ferric reducing antioxidant power {FRAP}). Crude phenolic extracts from both raw and roasted pecans were analyzed. In the CAA assay, pecan phenolics were taken up by human colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cells and bestowed CAA, determined by monitoring the fluorescence of 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein. Phenolics (25–100 μg/mL) demonstrated a reduction in fluorescence by 37–69% for raw and 26–68% for roasted pecans. The primary active phenolic constituents were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry (HPLC–ESI–MS) to be epi(catechin) dimers and trimers. These oligomeric procyanidins, ranging in size from 560 to 840 g/mol appear to be small enough for cellular uptake, showing pecans are an effective antioxidant in biological systems, regardless of roasting.

Interaction between a variant of chromosome 9p21.3 locus and diet antioxidant capacity on metabolic syndrome in Tehrani adults

BackgroundGenome-wide association studies have shown that risk alleles on chromosome 9p21.3 locus, are associated with increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Several epidemiological studies have found that metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with CVDs. Dietary antioxidants also have shown to have potential favorable effects on MetS prevention. This study examined the interactions between rs1333048 genotypes on 9p21 genetic region and Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) on odds of MetS.Methods263 Tehrani adults were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The MetS was defined according to the ATPIII. Dietary intake was assessed daily using a FFQ with 147 items. Dietary TAC was assessed according to United States Department of Agriculture database for oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). Bioelectrical impedance analysis method was used for body analysis and rs1333048 were genotyped by restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Participants were categorized into three groups based on rs1333048 genotypes.ResultsThe results demonstrate that, prevalence of C allele was 52.85% and A allele was 47.15%. After adjustment for confunder variable, this study demonstrated an interaction between AA genotype and high Lyophilic oxygen radical absorbance capacity (L-ORAC) and high Hydrophilic oxygen radical absorbance capacity (H-ORAC) intake on low odds of MetS (OR = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.06–0.94, P for interaction = 0.04, OR = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.06–0.99, P for interaction = 0.04). Also, our result indicated, there was no interaction between AA genotype and high total oxygen radical absorbance capacity (T-ORAC) and total phenolic intakes on reduce odds of MetS (OR = 0.07, 95% CI = 0.07–1.10, P for interaction = 0.07, OR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.16–2.07, P for interaction = 0.40) respectively.ConclusionThe results of the present study indicate that high L-ORAC and high H-ORAC intake may modify the elevated odds of MetS in AA genotype of rs1333048 on the 9p21 genetic locus.

Antioxidant properties and lipid composition of selected microalgae

Marine and freshwater microalgae were evaluated for their antioxidant properties and lipid composition. Both lipophilic (L) and hydrophilic (H) oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values were measured. Among the tested microalgae, the marine microalga Nannochloropsis granulata showed the highest total ORAC value at 6948 μmol TE (100 g)−1, followed by the freshwater species Neochloris oleoabundans at 4508 μmol TE (100 g)−1 and Scenedesmus obliquus at 4406 μmol TE (100 g)−1 of algal biomass. Freeze-dried algal biomass was also examined for lipid content by the Folch method. Lipid content ranged from 30.9 to 49.3% and linear regression analysis revealed a statistically significant correlation between the lipid content and the ORAC values. Tested microalgae showed moderate and dose-dependent DPPH radical scavenging activity. The total phenol assay shows that marine microalga Tetraselmis chui had the highest phenolic content at 57.5 μmol GAE g−1 and N. oleoabundans had the lowest at 26.6 μmol GAE g−1 of MeOH extract. A statistically significant correlation was detected between DPPH radical scavenging activity and the phenolic content. Fatty acid analysis revealed that polyunsaturated fatty acids constituted > 45% of the total fatty acid content in N. oleoabundans, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Porphyridium aerugineum, S. obliquus, and Scenedesmus sp. Total carotenoid concentration ranged from 1.1 to 29.5 mg g−1 of dry algal biomass. Lutein, zeaxanthin, and β-carotene are common carotenoids found in most of the algae tested. P. tricornutum contains significant amount of fucoxanthin at 24.3 mg g−1 algal biomass. These carotenoids also contributed to the overall antioxidative activity of microalgae.

The Nutritional and Phytochemical Composition of the Indigenous Australian Pindan Walnut (Terminalia cunninghamii) Kernels.

Nutritional composition of the kernels of two types of Pindan walnut (Terminalia cunninghamii), a native nut consumed traditionally by Australian Indigenous peoples, is reported for the first time. Results showed that Pindan walnut kernels contained high levels of fat, protein and ash, approximately 50, 30 and 5% fresh basis, respectively. The levels of minerals in the kernels were much higher than common walnuts and macadamia nuts, especially those of phosphorus, magnesium and zinc. The high amounts of polyphenols in the kernels provided strong hydrophilic antioxidant capacities, of up to 2004mg Trolox equivalents/100g fresh basis using the hydrophilic oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay. Both free polyphenol content and hydrophilic antioxidant capacities of the kernels were higher than those of macadamia nuts, although the lipophilic oxygen radical absorbance capacity was lower. These preliminary studies indicate high potential for wider use of the Pindan walnut as a novel, nutritious and health-promoting food.

In Vitro Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Activities of 3,5,4'-Trihydroxy-6,7-Methylenedioxyflavone-O-Glycosides and Their Aglycone from Leaves of Polygonum tinctorium Lour.

Polygonum tinctorium Lour (indigo plant) has been regarded as a useful medicinal plant for traditional herbal medicine. The polyphenolic fraction of indigo leaves exhibited anti-inflammatory activities as determined by the suppressed synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) in cultured RAW264 macrophage cells. The acid hydrolysate of the fraction showed much more potent effect than the unhydrolyzed one. In sharp contrast, those fractions of indigo stems had almost no effect. 3,5,4'-Trihydroxy-6,7-methylenedioxyflavone (TMF)-O-glycosides and tryptanthrin were detected exclusively in the extracts of the leaves. The isolated flavonol species were furthermore tested for their anti-inflammatory activities against the synthesis of NO and prostaglandin E2 in the cultured macrophage cells. More potent anti-inflammatory effects were recognized with different aglycones of flavonols than their flavonol O-glycosides. Although the inhibitory effects of TMF were less effective than those of tryptanthrin, the levels of flavonol O-glycosides with TMF were much more abundant than those of tryptanthrin in the leaves. Oral administration of the fraction containing flavonol O-glycosides with TMF into mice revealed the detection of free TMF in the blood circulation, indicating that the aglycone moiety can be cleaved by digestive enzymes and absorbed in the gut. Alternatively, the assay of hydrophilic oxygen radical absorbance capacity revealed that the isolated species of flavonol O-glycosides with TMF and their aglycone had appreciable antioxidant activities. Taken together, our findings suggest that the predominant flavonol O-glycosides with TMF as an aglycone could be promising natural agents for the application to herbal medicine, nutraceuticals, and food additives.

Stir‐frying treatments affect the phenolics profiles and cellular antioxidant activity of Adinandra nitida tea (Shiyacha) in daily tea model

SummaryAdinandra nitida tea (Shiyacha) is a well‐known resource of functional foods with many healthful features. Effect of stir frying on phenolics, aromatic compounds, cellular antioxidant and antiproliferative activities in A. nitida tea was investigated. Stir‐fried samples depicted a significant increase in total water‐soluble solid, phenolics and flavonoids contents, respectively. In stir‐fried treated samples, main compounds were higher than in corresponding untreated samples. Similar trend was observed in aromatic compounds. Hydrophilic peroxyl radical scavenging capacity and oxygen radical absorbance capacity were enhanced immensely in the treated samples. Furthermore, cellular antioxidant activities of treated samples were higher than those of untreated samples. Stir‐fried samples exhibited higher antiproliferative activity on HepG2 cells, whereas an lack in untreated samples. These findings suggest that stir frying could be an effective technique to improve A. nitida tea quality, and support that A. nitida tea could act as a potential functional food against intracellular oxidative stress and inhibitor of liver cancer.

Assessment of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Lignin from Corn Stover Residue Pretreated with Low-Moisture Anhydrous Ammonia and Enzymatic Hydrolysis Process.

Lignin accounts for 15-35% of dry biomass materials. Therefore, developing value-added co-products from lignin residues is increasingly important to improve the economic viability of biofuel production from biomass resources. The main objective of this work was to study the lignin extracts from corn stover residue obtained from a new and improved process for bioethanol production. Extraction conditions that favored high lignin yield were optimized, and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the resulting lignin were investigated. Potential estrogenic toxicity of lignin extracts was also evaluated. The corn stover was pretreated by low-moisture anhydrous ammonia (LMAA) and then subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis using cellulase and hemicellulase. The residues were then added with sodium hydroxide and extracted for different temperatures and times for enhancing lignin yield and the bioactivities. The optimal extraction conditions using 4% (w/v) sodium hydroxide were determined to be 50°C, 120min, and 1:8 (w:v), the ratio between corn stover solids and extracting liquid. Under the optimal condition, 33.92g of lignin yield per 100g of corn stover residue was obtained. Furthermore, the extracts produced using these conditions showed the highest antioxidant activity by the hydrophilic oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. The extracts also displayed significant antimicrobial activities against Listeria innocua. Minimal estrogenic impacts were observed for all lignin extracts when tested using the MCF-7 cell proliferation assay. Thus, the lignin extracts could be used for antioxidant and antimicrobial applications, and improve the value of the co-products from the biomass-based biorefinery.

A new NMR approach for structure determination of thermally unstable biflavanones and application to phytochemicals from Garcinia buchananii.

Previous activity-guided phytochemical studies on Garcinia buchananii stem bark, which is traditionally used in Africa to treat various gastrointestinal and metabolic illnesses, revealed xanthones, polyisoprenylated benzophenones, flavanone-C-glycosides, biflavonoids, and/or biflavanones as bioactive key molecules. Unequivocal structure elucidation of biflavonoids and biflavanones by means of NMR spectroscopy is often complicated by the hindered rotation of the monomers around the C-C axis (atropisomerism), resulting in a high spectral complexity. In order to facilitate an unrestricted rotation, NMR spectra are usually recorded at elevated temperatures, commonly over 80 °C, which effects in a single set of resonance signals. However, under these conditions, one of the target compounds of this investigation, (2R,3S,2″R,3″R)-manniflavanone (1), undergoes degradation. Therefore, we demonstrated in the present study that the 1,1-ADEQUATE could be successfully used as a powerful alternative approach to confirm the C-C connectivities in 1, avoiding detrimental conditions. However, a moderate increase in temperature up to 50 °C was sufficient to deliver sharp signals in the proton NMR experiment of (2R,3S,2″R,3″R)-isomanniflavanone (2) and (2″R,3″R)-preussianone (3). In addition, two new compounds could be isolated, namely (2R,3S,2″R,3″R)-GB-2 7″-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4) and (2R,3S,2″R,3″R)-manniflavanone-7″-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), and whose structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis including 1D and 2D NMR and mass spectrometry methods. The absolute configurations were determined by a combination of NMR and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectroscopy. The aforementioned compounds exhibited high anti-oxidative capacity in the H2O2 scavenging, hydrophilic Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (H-TEAC) and hydrophilic oxygen radical absorbance capacity (H-ORAC) assays.

Anti-oxidation Activities of Rice-Derived Peptides and Their Inhibitory Effects on Dipeptidylpeptidase-IV

In this study, anti-diabetic and anti-oxidation activities of the rice-derived peptides, obtained from sake lees and rice bran using a commercial protease from Aspergillus oryzae, were evaluated. Rice and rice bran peptides showed moderate anti-oxidation activities that were determined using the hydrophilic oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay. However, the hydrolysates from rice and rice bran exhibited no inhibitory activity against human maltase–glucoamylase. On the contrary, the rice protein hydrolysate showed an inhibitory activity (IC50 = 1.45 ± 0.13 mg/mL) toward dipeptidylpeptidase-IV (EC 3.4.14.5, DPP-IV) that metabolizes the insulinotropic hormone, glucagon-like peptide-1, in the same manner as the rice bran protein hydrolysate. The sake lees hydrolysate showed lowest bioactivity among the other rice-derived hydrolysates. Further, we identified that the dipeptides Ile-Pro, Met-Pro, Val-Pro, and Leu-Pro from the rice protein hydrolysate are involved in the inhibitory activity against DPP-IV. The concentrations of Ile-Pro, Met-Pro, Val-Pro, and Leu-Pro dipeptides were 1.22, 0.23, 1.59, and 1.94 (μg/mg in the rice protein hydrolysate), respectively.

Antioxidant Activity of Different Grades of Maple Syrup as Determined by the Hydrophilic Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity Method

Maple syrups are prepared by thermally concentrating maple sap. Based on their clarity, density and characteristic taste, they are divided into 5 grades: extralight, light, medium, amber and dark. This study aimed to evaluate differences in antioxidant activities among grades by the hydrophilic oxygen radical absorbance capacity (H-ORAC) method. The results demonstrated that H-ORAC values varied widely depending on the degree of brown coloration; darker-colored maple syrups showed stronger antioxidant activity. The darker-colored grades of maple syrup also contained more reducing sugars (fructose and glucose) than the lighter-colored ones; however, the grade had little impact on the content of free amino nitrogen in the syrup samples. The present study suggests that the brown pigments (melanoidins) produced by condensation of amines and reducing groups may contribute significantly to the antioxidant activity of maple syrups.