Comparison of Different Methods for Extracting the Astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis: Chemical Composition and Biological Activity

In this study, the impact of different cell disruption techniques (high-pressure micro fluidization (HPMF), ionic liquids (ILs), multi-enzyme (ME), and hydrochloric acid (HCl)) on the chemical composition and biological activity of astaxanthin (AST) obtained from Haematococcus pluvialis was investigated. Results indicated that all cell disruption techniques had a significant effect on AST composition, which were confirmed by TLC and UPC2 analysis. AST recovery from HCl (HCl-AST) and ILs (ILs-AST) cell disruption techniques was dominant by free and monoesters AST, while AST recovery from HPMF (HPMF-AST) and ME (ME-AST) cell disruption techniques was composed of monoesters, diesters, and free AST. Further biological activity analysis displayed that HCl-AST showed the highest ABTS and DPPH activity, while ILs-AST showed better results against the ORAC assay. Additionally, ILs-AST exhibits a stronger anti-proliferation of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner, which was ascribed to AST-induced ROS in to inhibit the proliferative of cancer cells.

Analysis of Antioxidant Efficacy of Ginkgo Biloba Leaves and Acer Palmatum Leaves

Background/Objectives: Modern people pay attention to the antioxidant effects that protect human aging and damage, but active ingredients used in cosmetics or pharmaceutical raw materials of synthetic ingredients are exposed to a number of problems. Methods/Statistical analysis: An alternative method for solving the problem was selected, and Ginkgo biloba Leaves (hereinafter GBL) and Acer palmatum Leaves (hereinafter APL) were selected to compare and analyze antioxidant efficacy evaluations such as total polyphenol, total flavonoid, DPPH ability, ABTS radical scavenging ability, and FRAP activity measurement. Findings: In the results of the study, GBL and APL showed DPPH activity at all concentrations (㎍/㎖). ABTS activity and FRAP Value also showed antioxidant activity in both GBL and APL, and in particular, APL has been found to be potent and is considered a rich antioxidant. Improvements/Applications: ABTS activity and FRAP Value also showed antioxidant activity in both GBL and APL, and in particular, APL has been found to be more potent. Therefore, these species can be evaluated as rich antioxidants. This study hopes to provide GBL and APL extracts as data for the development of natural antioxidants in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Stabilizing Grain Yield and Nutrition Quality in Purple Rice Varieties by Management of Planting Elevation and Storage Conditions

Purple rice has become an interesting source of nutritional value among healthy cereal grains. The appropriate cultivation together with post-harvest management would directly benefit farmers and consumers. This study aimed (i) to determine the yield, grain nutritional quality, and antioxidant capacity of purple rice varieties grown at lowland and highland elevations, and (ii) to evaluate the effects of storage conditions on the stability of the rice nutritional value during six months of storage. The high anthocyanin PES variety grown in the lowlands had a higher grain yield than the plants grown in the highlands, but grain anthocyanin concentration had the opposite pattern. In the high antioxidant capacity KAK variety, grain yield and DPPH activity were not significantly different between plants grown at the two elevations. The storage of brown rice and vacuum-sealed packages were both found to preserve greater anthocyanin concentrations in PES, but there was no effect on the DPPH activity of KAK. The grain properties were not significantly different between storage at 4 °C and room temperature. This study suggests that the optimal cultivation practices and storage conditions would result in the higher yield and grain quality of purple rice varieties.

Comparison of Antioxidative Efficacy of Ginkgo Biloba Leaves and Acer Palmatum Leaves

Modern people pay attention to the antioxidant effects that protect human aging and damage, but active ingredients used in cosmetics or pharmaceutical raw materials of synthetic ingredients are exposed to a number of problems. An alternative method for solving the problem was selected, and Ginkgo Biloba Leaves (GBL) and Acer Palmatum Leaves (APL) were selected to compare and analyze antioxidant efficacy evaluations such as total polyphenol, total flavonoid, DPPH ability, ABTS radical scavenging ability, and FRAP activity measurement. In the results of the study, GBL and APL showed DPPH activity at all concentrations (μg/ml). ABTS activity and FRAP Value also showed antioxidant activity in both GBL and APL and in particular, APL has been found to be potent and is considered a rich antioxidant. ABTS activity and FRAP Value also showed antioxidant activity in both GBL and APL, and in particular, APL has been found to be more potent. Therefore, these species can be evaluated as rich antioxidants. This study hopes to provide GBL and APL extracts as data for the development of natural antioxidants in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Quality Characteristics and Antioxidant Activity of Yogurt Containing Raw Omija and Sugared Omija during Storage

This study was conducted to determine the quality characteristics and antioxidant properties of yogurt containing omija extract (control, raw omija, and sugared omija) stored at 4°C for 14 days. The pH of all groups decreased, while the titratable acidity increased as the storage period increased. The viscosity of the sugared omija sample was high, while in the syneresis test, the sugared omija sample showed a low value. The total polyphenol content was the highest in the raw omija sample on day 0. DPPH activity was the highest in the raw omija sample for all storage periods; this sample also showed high Fe2+ chelating activity, which did not significantly differ from the sugared omija sample. In sensory evaluation, the sugared omija sample showed the highest overall score. Based on these results, it can be concluded that yogurt containing sugared omija shows improved quality and antioxidant activity.

Effects of Greek Pomegranate Extracts in the Antioxidant Properties and Storage Stability of Kefir

Background: Oxidation reactions are known to shorten the shelf life and cause damage to foods rich in fat, such as dairy products. One way to limit oxidation and increase the shelf life of fermented dairy products is to use natural antioxidants. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of adding pomegranate extracts in the antioxidant properties, rheological characteristics and the storage stability of the fermented product of kefir. Methods: The Pomegranate Juice (PGJ) and Peel Extracts (PGPE) (5%, 10% w/v) were added to kefir and the antioxidant properties were evaluated by using the methods of radical scavenging activity (DPPH) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power Activity (FRAP). Spectrophotometric and instrumental methods were used to determine the Total Phenols (TPs), pH values, viscosity and flow behavioral index values of enriched with pomegranate kefir samples. The same properties were tested when kefir samples stored at 4°C for 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. Results: The addition of PGJ and PGPE results in an increase in the antioxidant activity (DPPH, FRAP) and total phenol content (TPs) of kefir samples. Increasing the concentration of the added PGJ and PGPE, results in an increase in the TP content and the DPPH activity of kefir. As far as the storage time is concerned, the results showed an increase in the amount of TP at 7th day and a reduction in the DPPH activity in the 14th day of storage. In contrary to the DPPH method, the increase in storage time has resulted in a reduction in antioxidant activity by the FRAP method. The addition of PGJ and PGPE in kefir results in a decrease in pH values while the pH of kefir samples increased during storage at 4°C for 28 days. The addition of PGJ and PGPE to kefir samples results to a decrease in viscosity and an increase in the flow behavior index. Increasing storage time results in increased flow behavior index of kefir samples. Conclusion: The addition of PGJ and PGPE increased the antioxidant activity and total phenols of the kefir product and preserved its properties during the total storage time of 28 days at 4°C.

Effect of Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer on Antioxidant and Enzyme Activity of Different Vegetables Seeds

The aim of the study was to find the antioxidant activity and enzyme activity of catalase and peroxidase of vegetable plants. The results indicated that the use of seaweed liquid fertilizer can enhance the antioxidant activity of Solanum melongena L., Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., Capsicum annuum L., Brassica oleracea var. Capitata L. and Allium cepa L. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays were used to determine the antioxidant properties of seaweeds by measuring the decrease in absorbance at 517 nm. The DPPH activity was highest in brown seaweed liquid fertilizer. This study implied that impacts on vegetable plantlets by seaweed liquid fertilizer extracted with enzymes is better in brown seaweed liquid fertilizer as compared to control.

Variability in Catechin and Rutin Contents and Their Antioxidant Potential in Diverse Apple Genotypes

Catechins and rutin are among the main metabolites found in apple fruit. Sixty apple genotypes, harvested in 2016 and 2017, were analyzed for their phenolic content and antioxidant activity. The HPLC analysis showed that the catechin concentration ranged from 109.98 to 5290.47 µg/g, and the rutin concentration ranged from 12.136 to 483.89 µg/g of apple fruit. The level of DPPH activity ranged from 9.04% to 77.57%, and almost half of the 15 genotypes showed below 30–40% DPPH activity. The apple genotypes ‘Lal Ambri’, ‘Green Sleeves’, and ‘Mallus floribunda’ showed the highest DPPH activity of between 70% and 80%, while ‘Schlomit’, ‘Luxtons Fortune’, ‘Mayaan’, ‘Ananas Retrine’, and ‘Chaubatia ambrose’ showed the lowest ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) activity (0.02–0.09%). Statistical analysis showed a correlation between DPPH activity and catechin content (r = 0.7348) and rutin content (r = 0.1442). Regarding antioxidant activity, fractionated samples of apple genotypes revealed significant activity comparable to that of ascorbic acid. There was also a consistent trend for FRAP activity among all apple genotypes and a significant positive correlation between FRAP activity and rutin content (r = 0.244). Thus, this study reveals a significant variation in antioxidant potential among apple genotypes. This data could be useful for the development of new apple varieties with added phytochemicals by conventional and modern breeders.