Chemical compositions and antioxidant activity of Heracleum persicum essential oil

ABSTRACT In this study essential oil of the aerial parts of Heracleum persicum a spice widely used in Iran was isolated by conventional hydrodistillation (HD) and microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD) techniques. The extraction yield was determined and the chemical compositions of essential oils were identified by the application of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The antioxidant activity was determined by two different methods: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging and oven test methods. Although the main compounds of essential oils by the both extraction methods were similar, the essential oil extracted by HD with lower extraction efficiency showed more diverse compounds. The evaluation of antioxidant activity of the essential oil measured by delay in sunflower oil oxidation indicated that the antioxidant activity was dependent on the concentration which increased when higher concentrations of the essential oils were applied. The results of DPPH radical assay also indicated that the percentage of inhibition increased with increasing of essential oil concentration and IC50 value for essential oil extracted by MAHD method was obtained 1.25 mg/mL. Therefore the Heracleum persicum essential oil might be recommended for use as a flavoring agent and a source of natural antioxidants in functional foods, formulation of the supplements and in medicinal due to numerous pharmacological activities

Evaluation of the Organic Acids Ability for Extraction of Anthocyanins and Phenolic Compounds from Different Sources and Their Degradation Kinetics During Cold Storage

The study of anthocyanin and phenolic acids has always received much attention due to their extensive range of colors and potential beneficial health effects. In this study extraction of anthocyanins from barberry, eggplant peel and red cabbage was investigated by using different organic solvents. Soluble solid content, antioxidant capacity, total monomeric anthocyanins and total phenolic content were determined and then degradation kinetics of anthocyanin in different solution during freezing process was assayed. In order to examine the effect of different acids on the degree of extraction of anthocyanin and total phenol, varied concentration of hydrochloric, citric and acetic acids were dissolved in a mixture of water and ethanol to prepare acidified aqueous solution. Results indicated that citric acid solution is one of the best solvents for phenolic and anthocyanin extraction which showed the best scavenging activity of DPPH radical. Results from degradation kinetics of total monomeric anthocyanins revealed that stability of anthocyanins in the solution depended on temperature and other ingredients which are present in the medium. Moreover, the present data confirmed that barberry and red cabbage acidified extracts could be one of the more stable natural food colorants based on anthocyanins

Chemical compositions and antioxidant activity of Heracleum persicum essential oil

<div><p>ABSTRACT In this study essential oil of the aerial parts of Heracleum persicum a spice widely used in Iran was isolated by conventional hydrodistillation (HD) and microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD) techniques. The extraction yield was determined and the chemical compositions of essential oils were identified by the application of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The antioxidant activity was determined by two different methods: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging and oven test methods. Although the main compounds of essential oils by the both extraction methods were similar, the essential oil extracted by HD with lower extraction efficiency showed more diverse compounds. The evaluation of antioxidant activity of the essential oil measured by delay in sunflower oil oxidation indicated that the antioxidant activity was dependent on the concentration which increased when higher concentrations of the essential oils were applied. The results of DPPH radical assay also indicated that the percentage of inhibition increased with increasing of essential oil concentration and IC50 value for essential oil extracted by MAHD method was obtained 1.25 mg/mL. Therefore the Heracleum persicum essential oil might be recommended for use as a flavoring agent and a source of natural antioxidants in functional foods, formulation of the supplements and in medicinal due to numerous pharmacological activities.</p></div