Strong Free Radical Scavenging Research Articles

Effects of chlorogenic acid on productive and reproductive performances, egg quality, antioxidant functions, and intestinal microenvironment in aged breeder laying hens

This study investigated the effects of dietary chlorogenic acid (CGA) on the productive and reproductive performance, egg quality, antioxidant function, and intestinal microenvironment of laying hens. Thus, 162 healthy Hy-Line Brown breeding hens (63 weeks old) were randomly allocated to three groups, each receiving a basal diet plus supplementation: 0, 250 and 500 mg/kg CGA, respectively. Per the in vitro test, CGA had obvious inhibitory effects on Salmonella enteritis and avian pathogenic Escherichia coli and strong free radical scavenging ability. Per the breeder laying hen experiment, the CGA diets had no significant influence on egg production or reproductive performance (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, compared with the control diet, 250 mg/kg CGA significantly increased eggshell thickness, egg weight, yolk color, and Haugh unit (P < 0.05). Compared with the control diet and 500 mg/kg CGA, 250 mg/kg CGA significantly (P < 0.05) elevated antioxidant capacity by reducing serum malondialdehyde content, upregulating heme oxygenase-1, and downregulating heat shock proteins mRNA levels in the ileum. Compared with the control diet and 500 mg/kg CGA, 250 mg/kg CGA (P < 0.05) enhanced intestinal barrier function, shown by the upregulation of ileal Occludin and Mucin-2 mRNA levels; furthermore, 250 mg/kg CGA (P < 0.05) increased anti-apoptotic capacity by increasing B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 gene expression and downregulated Bcl2-Associated I mRNA levels in the liver and ileum of late breeder laying hens (P < 0.05). Lastly, 250 mg/kg CGA (P < 0.05) increased cecal g_CHKCI001 and short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria g_Prevotellaceae UCG-001, positively related to gut health, and in the cecum, 500 mg/kg CGA significantly (P < 0.05) increased g_Shuttleworthia abundance, negatively related to gut health. Our findings suggest that dietary inclusion of 250 mg/kg CGA promotes egg quality, intestinal microbial composition, gut barrier integrity, and the antioxidant capacity of aged breeder laying hens.

Characterization, phytochemical profiling, antioxidant, and cytotoxicity of underutilized medicinal plants and composite flour

In this investigation, three medicinal plant powders and a composite flour developed from them were analyzed. FESEM/EDS illustrated irregularly shaped particles in the plant powders except for Withania, which had round to oval shape particles. XRD analysis displayed a semi-crystalline nature of powders, except for Asparagus, which showed amorphous behavior. Both methanol and ethanol plant extracts exhibited significantly higher antioxidants, total phenols, and cell viability. Amongst, optimized composite flour (OCF) methanolic extract demonstrated the highest total phenolic content (69.2 ± 0.11 μg GAE/ml), potent cell viability against A549 cells (3.35 ± 0.15% at 50 μg/ml), and strong free-radical scavenging activity (48.89 ± 0.67 at 200 μg/ml). GCMS and FTIR analyses of the methanolic extracts demonstrated the presence of essential phytoconstituents and functional groups. In silico studies of the phytocomponents, ethyl isoallocholate, 3-Deoxy-d-mannoic lactone, and 4,5-Diamino-2-hydroxypyrimidine suggested good binding affinity against BAX, P53, and EGFR proteins with no toxicity and a good drug score.

Soluble Dietary Fiber from Citrus unshiu Peel Promotes Antioxidant Activity in Oxidative Stress Mice and Regulates Intestinal Microecology

Aging is characterized by the progressive degeneration of bodily tissues and decline in physiological functions, a process that may be exacerbated by imbalances in intestinal flora. Soluble dietary fiber (PSDF) from Citrus unshiu peel has demonstrated strong free radical scavenging ability to regulate intestinal flora in vitro. However, further evidence is required to ascertain the effectiveness of PSDF in vivo. In our study, 8-week-old mice were artificially aged through subcutaneous injections of a 200 mg/kg/d D-galactose solution for 42 days, followed by a 28-day dietary intervention with varying doses of PSDF, insoluble dietary fiber (PIDF), and vitamin C. After the intervention, we observed a significant mitigation of D-galactose-induced oxidative stress, as evident by weight normalization and reduced oxidative damage. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that PSDF significantly altered the composition of intestinal flora, increasing Firmicutes and reducing Bacteroidota percentages, while also enriching colonic short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Spearman correlation analysis further identified a positive correlation between Firmicutes and isovaleric acid, and negative correlations between Muribaculaceae and acetic acid, and between Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group and caproic acid. These findings support the potential of Citrus PSDF to alleviate oxidative stress.

Platelet-Rich Plasma/Chitosan/Chondroitin sulfate immunomodulatory hydrogel Co-Networks for diabetic wound Repair: Functions and molecular mechanisms

Diabetic wound healing encounters numerous challenges including bacterial infection, macrophage dysfunction, excessive inflammation, and oxidative stress, causing delays in the overlapping processes of inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling and thus imposing a high burden on patients. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has demonstrated significant potential for diabetic wound treatment by promoting granulation tissue formation, collagen deposition, re-epithelialization, and angiogenesis. However, the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, immunomodulatory hydrogel co-networks based on PRP, with strong hemostatic, antibacterial, and free radical scavenging effects, are developed for diabetic wound treatment. In vitro and in vivo, the hydrogels can reduce endothelial cell apoptosis and promote tube formation by regulating the oxidative stress microenvironment. For anti-inflammatory and tissue repair, the hydrogels can facilitate the M2 macrophage polarization by inhibiting phosphorylation of p-IκBα and p-P65 in the NF-κB signaling pathway. Through increasing the expression of key angiogenic factors (HIF-1α, VEGF, and FGF2), the hydrogels can significantly promote angiogenesis and the formation of endothelial cell tubular structures. These findings offer new insight into the synergistic regulatory contributions of the PRP-based therapy throughout multiple stages of healing, thereby establishing a biomolecular and cellular foundation for advanced diabetic wound management.

Melanin nanoparticles scavenging reactive oxygen and nitrogen radicals for rheumatoid arthritis treatment

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex and chronic disease that often causes long-term pain and joint swelling in patients, and even causes joint deformity and dysfunction. The pathogenesis of this disease involves abnormal activity of the immune system, causing immune cells to attack the bodys joint tissues, which triggers an inflammatory response. During these inflammatory processes, the accumulation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) is considered to be one of the key factors that aggravate inflammation and damage joint tissues. To address this problem, we designed a method that takes advantage of the targeting properties of melanin nanoparticles. These nanoparticles have excellent biocompatibility, can remain stable in the body, and can be accurately targeted to the site of inflammation. In addition, these nanoparticles also have strong free radical scavenging ability, which can effectively neutralize excessive RONS, reduce the inflammatory response and weaken joint tissue damage. The promise of this treatment strategy is encouraging and offers new hope for patients with RA. By reducing inflammation, protecting joint tissue, and possibly even reversing the disease process to some extent, this melanin nanoparticle holds great promise.

The impact of geographical location on the nutritional quality, chemical composition, and antioxidant activity of Cucurbita maxima (rouge vif d'Etampes) seed oil

This study investigates the impact of geographical location on the nutritional quality, chemical composition, and antioxidant activity of Cucurbita maxima (rouge vif d'Etampes) seed oil. In terms of lipidic fraction, variations in fatty acid composition were observed across regions, with Guercif exhibiting the highest polyunsaturated fatty acid levels (57.78%) and El Jadida the lowest (44.21%). Guercif also had the highest β-sitosterol content (107.98 mg/100g oil), while total sterols were highest in Khemisset (314.92 mg/100g oil). Additionally, Guercif displayed the highest γ-tocopherol content (568.51 mg/kg oil). Physicochemical analysis revealed higher acid and peroxide values in El Jadida, along with lower iodine values. El Jadida also exhibited higher levels of carotenoids and chlorophyll. In terms of alcoholic fraction, guercif showed higher polyphenol content and strong free radical scavenging activity, while Khemisset demonstrated significant antioxidant activity (EC50 of 0.17 mg/mL). These findings underscore the importance of considering regional variations in future studies on pumpkin seed products.

Agro-waste mediated silver nanoparticles from Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth fruit peel and their multifaceted biomedical applications

The present work aimed to produce silver nanoparticles using an agro-waste fruit peel extract from Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth (PD) and examine their antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer characteristics. The synthesized silver nanoparticles (PD-AgNPs) were validated by the characteristic dark brown hue and surface plasmon resonance at 417 nm. Fourier transform infra-red spectrum pinpoints the important functional groups in charge of their reduction and capping. The X-ray diffraction pattern and transmission electron microscopic images confirmed the face-centred cubic crystal structure and spherical-shaped PD-AgNPs. Particle size and stability of the PD-AgNPs were found to be 83.90 and −31.2 mV respectively. Antibacterial experiments against E. coli, K. pneumoniae, B. subtilis, and S. aureus showed concentration-dependent inhibitory effects. In various assays, including those for DPPH, hydroxyl, superoxide anions, and ABT radicals, PD-AgNPs exhibited strong free radical scavenging abilities when compared with vitamin C. In the MTT experiment, PD-AgNPs displayed dose-dependent cytotoxicity against MG-63 cells with an IC50 of 22.09 µg/mL. Additionally, the anticancer potential of PD-AgNPs was studied by measuring mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis. The potential of PD-AgNPs for utilization in biomedical applications was established by their antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer characteristics. The study emphasizes the importance of green synthesis methodologies in creating multifunctional nanoparticles with therapeutic potential, which warrants further investigation for practical medical applications.

Assessment of In Vitro Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) Natural Plant

Objectives The objective of this research was to investigate the potential anti-inflammatory properties of the Cucurbita pepo fruit. Given the adverse effects associated with long-term use or excessive doses of conventional anti-inflammatory medications, exploring herbal therapies as alternatives has become increasingly important. Methods Various preliminary tests and antioxidant assays, both enzymatic and non-enzymatic, were conducted on the C . pepo fruit. Bioactive substances present in the fruit, including alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, tannins, amino acids, triterpenoids, and saponin glycosides, were identified through early analysis. Different extraction solvents, such as chloroform, methanol, and water, were utilized to extract samples. The methanolic extract was subjected to further testing for its in vitro anti-inflammatory characteristics. This involved evaluating their ability to stabilize RBC membranes, inhibit protein denaturation, and suppress proteinase activity using two concentrations (150 µg/ml and 300 µg/ml) of the extract. Results The methanolic extract of the C. pepo fruit exhibited strong free radical scavenging activity in both DPPH and H2O2 assays. Moreover, it demonstrated the dose-dependent stabilization of RBC membranes, resulting in reduced hemolysis, protein denaturation, and proteinase activity. These findings suggest potent anti-inflammatory effects of the methanolic extract. Conclusion This research study has found that the C. pepo fruit methanolic extract significantly reduced inflammation. This demonstrates the promise of natural chemicals as less risky substitutes for traditional anti-inflammatory medications. Potentially safe and efficient treatments for inflammatory illnesses could be found in herbal remedies such as the C. pepo fruit. Therefore, this study highlights the significance of exploring herbal remedies as a potential treatment option for inflammation-related diseases.

The Incorporation of Clove Essential Oil into Nanostructured Lipid Carrier for Improvement of the Delivery and Antioxidant Effects on the Fibroblast Cells.

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) essential oil (CO) has been studied extensively for its antioxidant properties but faces several limitations, including high volatility, low aqueous solubility, and irritation. We aimed to develop a Nanostructured Lipid Carrier (NLC) to enhance the benefits of CO. Using the emulsification sonication method, a liquid lipid component, surfactant concentration, and a co-surfactant were optimized to create CO-loaded NLC (CO-NLC). The developed CO-NLC was rigorously assessed for its stability during storage. Free radical scavenging activity and fibroblast oxidative stress protection were also measured to assess the antioxidant activity. The CO-NLC displayed a spherical shape with a hydrodynamic diameter of 125.77 ± 29.68 nm, homogenous particle distribution with polydispersity index of 0.26 ± 0.09, and a surface charge of -27.30 ± 4.56 mV with an encapsulation efficiency of 97% and a good stability profile. Furthermore, free CO and CO-NLC displayed very strong free radical scavenging activity with the IC50 value of 22.74 ± 0.57 µg/mL and 18.28 ± 2.63 µg/mL, respectively. However, only CO-NLC managed to protect fibroblast cells from the harmful effects of oxidative stress. The NLC formulations improved free radical scavenging activity and effectively protected fibroblasts from oxidative stress compared to free CO.

Biomedicine and pharmacotherapeutic effectiveness of combinatorial atorvastatin and quercetin on diabetic nephropathy: An in vitro study

IntroductionDiabetic nephropathy is a type of kidney disorder that develops as a complication of multifactorial diabetes. Diabetic nephropathy is characterized by microangiopathy, resulting from glucose metabolism, oxidative stress, and changes in renal hemodynamics. This study strived to evaluate the in vitro cytoprotective activity of atorvastatin (ATR), and quercetin (QCT) alone and in combination against diabetic nephropathy. MethodsThe MTT assay was utilized to analyze the effects of the test compounds on NRK-52E rat kidney epithelial cells. The detection of apoptosis and ability to scavenge free radicals was assessed via acridine orange-ethidium bromide (AO-EB) dual fluorescence staining, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyfree assay (DPPH), respectively. The ability of anti-inflammatory effect of the test compounds and western blot analysis against TGF-β, TNF-α, and IL-6 further assessed to determine the combinatorial efficacy. ResultsAtorvastatin and quercetin treatment significantly lowered the expression of TGF-β, TNF-α, and IL-6 indicating the protective role in Streptozotocin-induced nephrotoxicity. The kidney cells treated with a combination of atorvastatin and quercetin showed green fluorescing nuclei in the AO-EB staining assay, indicating that the combination treatment restored cell viability. Quercetin, both alone and in combination with atorvastatin, demonstrated strong DPPH free radical scavenging activity and further encountered an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effect on the combination of these drugs. ConclusionNevertheless, there is currently no existing literature that reports on the role of QCT as a combination renoprotective drug with statins in the context of diabetic nephropathy. Hence, these findings suggest that atorvastatin and quercetin may have clinical potential in treating diabetic nephropathy.

Relationship between Flavonoid Chemical Structures and Their Antioxidant Capacity in Preventing Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Formation in Heated Meat Model System.

The relationship between the chemical structures of six flavonoids and their abilities to inhibit the formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a heated meat model system was investigated. The PAH8 forming in samples was analyzed by using QuEChERS coupled GC-MS. Inhibitory effects of PAHs were myricetin (72.1%) > morin (55.7%) > quercetin (57.3%) > kaempferol (49.9%) > rutin (32.7%) > taxifolin (30.2%). The antioxidant activities of these flavonoids, assessed through (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging activity assay (DPPH), [2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)] free radical scavenging activity assay (ABTS) and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP) assays, exhibited a significant negative correlation with PAH reduction. Notably, myricetin that contained three hydroxyl groups on the B-ring, along with a 2,3-double bond in conjugation with a 4-keto moiety on the C-ring, demonstrated strong antioxidant properties and free radical scavenging abilities, which significantly contributed to their ability to inhibit PAH formation. However, rutin and taxifolin, substituted at the C-3 position of the C-ring, decreased the PAH inhibitory activity. The ABTS assay proved the most effective in demonstrating the correlation between flavonoid antioxidant properties and their capacity to inhibit PAH formation in heated meat model systems. Thus, the inhibition of PAHs can be achieved by dietary flavonoids according to their chemical structures.

Effects of Drying Process and High Hydrostatic Pressure on Extraction of Antioxidant Ergothioneine from Pleurotus citrinopileatus Singer.

This study evaluated the effects of different drying techniques on the physicochemical properties of Pleurotus citrinopileatus Singer (P. citrinopileatus), focusing on the ergothioneine (EGT) contents. The P. citrinopileatus was subjected to natural ventilation drying (ND), freeze-drying (FD), and hot-air drying (HD). EGT was extracted using high-hydrostatic-pressure extraction (HHPE), and response surface methodology (RSM) was employed with four variables to optimize the extraction parameters. The crude EGT extract was purified by ultrafiltration and anion resin purification, and its antioxidant activity was investigated. The results showed that the ND method effectively disrupted mushroom tissues, promoting amino acid anabolism, thereby increasing the EGT content of mushrooms. Based on RSM, the optimum extracting conditions were pressure of 250 MPa, extraction time of 52 min, distilled water (dH2O) as the extraction solvent, and a 1:10 liquid-solid ratio, which yielded the highest EGT content of 4.03 ± 0.01 mg/g d.w. UPLC-Q-TOF-MSE was performed to assess the purity of the samples (purity: 86.34 ± 3.52%), and MS2 information of the main peak showed primary ions (m/z 230.1) and secondary cations (m/z 186.1050, m/z 127.0323) consistent with standard products. In addition, compared with ascorbic acid (VC), EGT showed strong free radical scavenging ability, especially for hydroxyl and ATBS radicals, at more than 5 mmol/L. These findings indicate that the extraction and purification methods used were optimal and suggest a possible synthetic path of EGT in P. citrinopileatus, which will help better explore the application of EGT.

Preparation, Characterization, Antioxidant Activities, and Determination of Anti-Alzheimer Effects of PLGA-Based DDSs Containing Ferulic Acid.

Nanoparticle (NP) systems have attracted the attention of researchers in recent years due to their advantages, such as modified release features, increased therapeutic efficacy, and reduced side effects. Ferulic acid (FA) has therapeutic effects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-Alzheimer's, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, antihyperlipidemic, and antidiabetic. In this study, FA-loaded PLGA-based NPs were prepared by a nanoprecipitation method and the effect of varying concentrations of Poloxamer 188 and Span 60 on NP properties was investigated. FA-loaded A-FA coded formulation was chosen as optimum. High encapsulation efficiency has been achieved due to the low affinity of FA to the water phase and, therefore, its lipophilic nature, which tends to migrate to the organic phase. It was determined that the release of FA from the A-FA was slower than pure FA and prolonged release in 24 h. Antioxidant and anti-Alzheimer's effects of A-FA coded NP formulation were investigated by biological activity studies. A-FA coded NP formulation showed strong DPPH free radical scavenging, ABTS cation decolorizing, and reducing antioxidant activity. Since it has both AChE inhibitor and antioxidant properties according to the results of its anti-Alzheimer activity, it was concluded that the formulation prepared in this study shows promise in the treatment of both oxidative stress-related diseases and Alzheimer's.

Exploring the novel antioxidant peptides in low-salt dry-cured ham: Preparation, purification, identification and molecular docking

Dry-cured ham is important source of bioactive peptides. In this study, the antioxidant activities of peptides and components from low and fully salted dry-cured hams were compared by peptidomics. And novel antioxidant peptides were identified and characterized. The results showed that the peptides (<3 KDa) extracted from low-salt dry-cured ham had higher antioxidant activity. Therefore, the antioxidant peptides in low-salt dry-cured ham were further characterized and the mechanism of their antioxidant activity was investigated. From the five candidate peptides selected, we found DWPDARGIWHND (DD12) to be highly stable, non-sensitizing, and non-toxic with the highest free radical scavenging activity. Molecular docking predicted that DD12 interacted with Keap1 through hydrogen-bond formation and hydrophobic interactions, suggesting that DD12 had good cellular antioxidant activity. DD12 peptide can bind to DPPH• and ABTS•+, resulting in strong free radical scavenging activity. Our findings support the development and application of natural antioxidant peptides in dry-cured ham.

GC-MS profile, total phenolic, and DPPH radical scavenging activity of Saurauia minahassae stembark ethyl acetate extract

Several species of the genus Saurauia have been traditionally used as remedies. However, Saurauria minahassae, as an endemic plant, is still understudied. This study aims to reveal the total phenolics, GC-MS profile, and bioactivity as DPPH free radical scavengers of ethyl acetate extract of S.minahassae collected from Banggai Island, Indonesia. Determination of Total Phenolic Content (TPC) was conducted using the colorimetry method by spectrophotometer. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) and TLC-bioautography performed analysis of secondary metabolites and qualitative DPPH free radical scavenging activity, respectively. GC-MS analysis was conducted to identify the chemical compounds of the extract. The extract’s IC50 value and Antioxidant activity index (AAI) were performed by serial microdilution method on the 96-microwell plate. The results showed that TPC was 432.33 mg GAE/g extract. TLC analysis revealed several metabolites, and TLC-bioautography also revealed several compounds active as DPPH free radical scavengers. The ethyl acetate extract of S. minahassae is categorized as a very strong DPPH free radical scavenger or potent antioxidant with an IC50 value of 3.29 ug/ml and AAI of 9.32. GC-MS profile of the ethyl acetate extract of S.minahassae stembark contained several compounds with antioxidant activity. The potential antioxidant activity of S. minahassae stembark extract was contributed by phenolic content and several compounds with antioxidant activity in the extract. This extract could be a good source of natural antioxidants, and S. minahassae sustainability as an endemic plant should be maintained.

Surface molecularly imprinted polymers based on magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes for the highly selective purification of resveratrol from crude extracts of Vitis vinifera, Arachis hypogaea, and Polygonum cuspidatum.

In this work, surface molecularly imprinted polymers based on magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes were prepared for the specific recognition and adsorption of resveratrol. The functionalization of magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes and the synthesis process of surface molecularly imprinted polymers were optimized. Characterizations were performed to demonstrate the successful synthesis of the imprinted materials. The imprinted materials showed satisfactory adsorption capacity of resveratrol (45.73±1.72mg/g) and excellent selectivity (imprinting factor 2.89±0.15). In addition, the imprinted materials were used as adsorbents in molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction for the purification of resveratrol from crude extracts of some food and medicinal resources, achieving recoveries of 93.69%-95.53% with high purities of 88.37%-92.33%. Moreover, the purified products exhibited extremely strong free radical scavenging activity compared with crude extracts. Overall, this work provided a promising approach for the highly selective purification of resveratrol from natural resources, which would contribute to the application of this valuable compound in the food/nutraceutical fields.

Genomic basis of seed colour in quinoa inferred from variant patterns using extreme gradient boosting.

Quinoa is an agriculturally important crop species originally domesticated in the Andes of central South America. One of its most important phenotypic traits is seed colour. Seed colour variation is determined by contrasting abundance of betalains, a class of strong antioxidant and free radicals scavenging colour pigments only found in plants of the order Caryophyllales. However, the genetic basis for these pigments in seeds remains to be identified. Here we demonstrate the application of machine learning (extreme gradient boosting) to identify genetic variants predictive of seed colour. We show that extreme gradient boosting outperforms the classical genome-wide association approach. We provide re-sequencing and phenotypic data for 156 South American quinoa accessions and identify candidate genes potentially controlling betalain content in quinoa seeds. Genes identified include novel cytochrome P450 genes and known members of the betalain synthesis pathway, as well as genes annotated as being involved in seed development. Our work showcases the power of modern machine learning methods to extract biologically meaningful information from large sequencing data sets.

Antioxidant Activity of Zodia (Evodia suaveolens) Protein Extract In Vitro

The zodia (Evodia suaveolens) plant is an Indonesian endemic that originated in Papua. Zodia leaves are empirically used as anti-mosquito and dysentery medications, and cooked bark is useful as a malaria fever reliever. Until present, no research has been conducted on the protein of the zodia plant extract that has demonstrated action. The goal of this study was to assess the antioxidant activity of the zodia plant protein extract as reflected by IC50 (inhibitory concentration). Various established procedures were used to determine antioxidant capacity, including radical cation, 2,2’-Azinobis 3-ethyl Benzothlazole-6-Sulfonic Acid (ABTS●+) assay, hydroxyl radical (OH●), and superoxide anion (O2●-) scavenging. Data analysis was determined using ANOVA and continued with Duncan. The soluble protein in the stem has much stronger free radical scavenging (ABTS●+, OH●, and O2●-) capabilities than the leaves and root. According to the research, soluble proteins in stems have a significant potential for usage as antioxidants.

Nutritionally Important Pro-Health Active Ingredients and Antioxidant Properties of Fruits and Fruit Juice of Selected Biennial Fruiting Rubus idaeus L. Cultivars.

Raspberry fruits are an important source of many biologically active chemical compounds exerting nutritional and pro-health effects. The study presents a comparative analysis of nutritionally important bioactive chemical compounds-polyphenols; flavonoids, including anthocyanins; vitamin C; amino acids; fatty acids; and primary metabolites-contained in the fruits of three biennial fruiting cultivars, R. idaeus 'Glen Ample', 'Laszka', and 'Radziejowa', i.e., common cultivars in Poland and Europe. The antioxidant activity of fresh fruits and juice was determined with five methods. The analyses revealed the strong free radical scavenging potential of the fruits and juice, confirmed by the high concentration of nutrients, e.g., polyphenols, anthocyanins, vitamin C, amino acids, and fatty acids. The antioxidant activity of the juice determined with the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and OH radical methods was from 2.5 to 4.0 times higher than that of the fruits. The following orders of total polyphenol contents were established in the analyzed cultivars: 'Glen Ample' < 'Laszka' < 'Radziejowa' in the fruits and 'Glen Ample' < 'Radziejowa' < 'Laszka' in the juice. The highest antioxidant activity was exhibited by the 'Radziejowa' fruits. Given their high content of dietary fiber, the fruits of the analyzed raspberry cultivars can be consumed by dieting subjects. The concentrations of vitamin C (28-34 mg/100 g) and anthocyanins (20-34 mg/100 g) indicate the biological and pharmacological activity of these fruits. The main unsaturated fatty acids in the fruits were gamma-linoleic acid (C18:2n6c) and alpha-linolenic acid (C18:3n3), which neutralize excess free radicals. The amino acids nutritionally essential to humans were dominated by leucine, arginine, and phenylalanine. This is the first comparative analysis of the antioxidant activity of fruits and juice and the contents of selected active compounds in the fruits of biennial fruiting cultivars of R. idaeus, i.e., a highly commercialized crop in Europe.

Assessment of Mediterranean Citrus Peel Flavonoids and Their Antioxidant Capacity Using an Innovative UV-Vis Spectrophotometric Approach

Citrus fruits exert various beneficial health effects due to the large amount of polyphenols they contain. Citrus peels, often considered food waste, contain several health-promoting polyphenols. Among these, flavonoids have long been quantified through colorimetric assays which, if not adequately applied, can lead to conflicting results. Flavonoids possess strong antioxidant properties and can decrease circulating free radicals, thereby reducing oxidative stress phenomena. Quantifying flavonoids and properly estimating their antioxidant capacity allows us to predict plausible beneficial effects of citrus fruits on human health. The aim of this research was to analyze the advantageous phenolic compounds found in the peels of citrus fruits commonly found in the Mediterranean region. The objective was to measure their antioxidant capacity and ability to neutralize free radicals. To achieve this purpose, UV-visible spectrophotometric analyses, liquid chromatography (LC) and Electron Paramagnetic Spectroscopy (EPR) were utilized and compared, finally suggesting an innovative approach for assessing the overall flavonoid content by the nitrite-aluminum assay. HPLC data demonstrated that hesperidin was the most abundant flavonoid in all peel extracts except for orange peels, in which naringin was the predominant flavonoid. The total flavonoid content was greater than 1.3 mg/mL in all extracts, with tangerine and orange yielding the best results. Citrus peel polyphenols exerted strong antioxidant and free radical scavenging effects, inhibiting up to 75% of the free radicals used as reference in the EPR analyses.