STUDIES ON NUTRITIONAL PROFILE AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF DIFFERENT DIOSCOREA SP WITH PLECTRANTHUS ROTUNDIFOLIUS

Objective: Protection from oxidative damage to the tissues is provided by natural or synthetic antioxidants. Because of the multiple mechanisms of actions and presence of various phytochemicals, plant-based antioxidants are preferred. Dioscorea is well known as a traditional edible tuber. The present study was undertaken to explore and highlights the nutritional benefits and to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant and free radical scavenging capacity of ethanolic extract of three different underutilised Dioscorea species (D. alata, D. pentaphylla and D. oppositifolia) with a common cultivated crop, Plectranthus rotundifolius.Methods: Different processing methods are adopted to assess their influence on nutritive value and antioxidant properties. Tubers were studied for proximate composition using standard analytical methods. Mineral elements were analysed using ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer). Antioxidant potential of raw and processed samples was determined using a range of in vitro models.Results: The presence of essential minerals such as Na, K, Ca, P, Zn and Mn were observed. High radical scavenging activity was observed in the tubers of Dioscorea. Results indicated that phenolic compounds are the significant contributors to the antioxidant activity.Conclusion: Current study suggests that Dioscorea might be a promising natural antioxidant and could be very useful health food, as they enhance the antioxidant defence system. It also proposes that underutilized tubers can efficiently contribute to the nutritional requirement and food security.Â

Antioxidant potential of bitter cumin (Centratherum anthelminticum (L.) Kuntze) seeds in in vitro models

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Bitter cumin (<it>Centratherum anthelminticum </it>(L.) Kuntze), is a medicinally important plant. Earlier, we have reported phenolic compounds, antioxidant, and anti-hyperglycemic, antimicrobial activity of bitter cumin. In this study we have further characterized the antioxidative activity of bitter cumin extracts in various in vitro models.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Bitter cumin seeds were extracted with a combination of acetone, methanol and water. The antioxidant activity of bitter cumin extracts were characterized in various <it>in vitro </it>model systems such as DPPH radical, ABTS radical scavenging, reducing power, oxidation of liposomes and oxidative damage to DNA.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The phenolic extracts of bitter cumin at microgram concentration showed significant scavenging of DPPH and ABTS radicals, reduced phosphomolybdenum (Mo(VI) to Mo(V)), ferricyanide Fe(III) to Fe(II), inhibited liposomes oxidation and hydroxyl radical induced damage to prokaryotic genomic DNA. The results showed a direct correlation between phenolic acid content and antioxidant activity.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Bitter cumin is a good source of natural antioxidants.</p

Evaluation of Physicochemical and Antioxidant Properties of Peanut Protein Hydrolysate

Peanut protein and its hydrolysate were compared with a view to their use as food additives. The effects of pH, temperature and protein concentration on some of their key physicochemical properties were investigated. Compared with peanut protein, peanut peptides exhibited a significantly higher solubility and significantly lower turbidity at pH values 2–12 and temperature between 30 and 80°C. Peanut peptide showed better emulsifying capacity, foam capacity and foam stability, but had lower water holding and fat adsorption capacities over a wide range of protein concentrations (2–5 g/100 ml) than peanut protein isolate. In addition, peanut peptide exhibited in vitro antioxidant properties measured in terms of reducing power, scavenging of hydroxyl radical, and scavenging of DPPH radical. These results suggest that peanut peptide appeared to have better functional and antioxidant properties and hence has a good potential as a food additive