Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of bitter and sweet apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) kernels

Abstract

The present study describes the in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of methanol and water extracts of sweet and bitter apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) kernels. The antioxidant properties of apricot kernels were evaluated by determining radical scavenging power, lipid peroxidation inhibition activity and total phenol content measured with a DPPH test, the thiocyanate method and the Folin method, respectively. In contrast to extracts of the bitter kernels, both the water and methanol extracts of sweet kernels have antioxidant potential. The highest percent inhibition of lipid peroxidation (69%) and total phenolic content (7.9 ± 0.2 μg/mL) were detected in the methanol extract of sweet kernels (Hasanbey) and in the water extract of the same cultivar, respectively. The antimicrobial activities of the above extracts were also tested against human pathogenic microorganisms using a disc-diffusion method, and the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of each active extract were determined. The most effective antibacterial activity was observed in the methanol and water extracts of bitter kernels and in the methanol extract of sweet kernels against the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. Additionally, the methanol extracts of the bitter kernels were very potent against the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli (0.312 mg/mL MIC value). Significant anti-candida activity was also observed with the methanol extract of bitter apricot kernels against Candida albicans, consisting of a 14 mm in diameter of inhibition zone and a 0.625 mg/mL MIC value.

Antioxidant potential of thuja (Thuja occidentalis) cones and peach (Prunus persia) seeds in raw chicken ground meat during refrigerated (4 ± 1 °C) storage

“…In another experiment the DPPH SA of the extract of thuja twigs was found to be 73.35±1.04% at 300 μg/ml (Dubey and Batra 2009). The DPPH radical scavenging activities of water and methanol extracts from other Prunus species fruit (apricot) cultivars were also reported by Yigit et al (2009). According to this research a concentration of 100 μg/mL, the water and methanol extracts of the sweet kernel exhibited 89.9 and 87.7% scavenging activity, respectively.…”

“…Chen et al (1999) reported that phenolic compounds such as quercetin were also effective in preventing lipid oxidation in both raw and cooked turkey during 7 days of storage. According to study conducted by Yigit et al (2009) in another prunus variety (apricot) the highest percent inhibition of lipid peroxidation was found 68.6%/100 μg solid in methanol extracts of the sweet kernel. This was followed by the water extract from the same cultivar, which demonstrated 66.3% inhibition.…”

“…According to Yigit et al (2009) the contents of phenolic compounds of both methanol and water extracts of the Prunus species fruit (apricot) bitter kernel were lower than sweet kernel extracts, each containing 100 μg/mL solid. The highest phenolic content (7.9±0.2 μg/mL) was detected in the water extract of a sweet apricot kernel, while the lowest phenolic content was 0.4±0.1 μg/mL in the water extract of the bitter apricot kernel.…”

Blood plasma levels of anterior pituitary hormones of rabbits after apricot seed exposure in vivo

“…Durmaz and Alpaslan (2007) mentioned that apricot seeds are added to bakery products (as whole seeds or ground) in retail bakeries and also consumed as appetizers. Apricot seeds, particularly rich in lipid and protein, are potentially useful in human nutrition (Femenia et al, 1995;Alpaslan et al, 2006) along with significant amounts of oil fiber (Abd el-aal et al, 1986;Hacisefero et al, 2007) high antioxidant and antimicrobial activities (Yigit et al, 2009). Sweet apricot seeds contain more oil than bitter and such oleic acid and linoleic acid correspond to approximately 92 g*100 g -1 of the total fatty acids present in apricot seed.…”

Investigation of microbiological spoilage and demonstration of the anti-bacterial activity of the major imported fruits within Dhaka Metropolis

“…Investigation of microbiological spoilage and demonstration of the antibacterial activity of the major imported fruits within Dhaka Metropolis assay Fresh fruits are vital parts of human diet because of their multi-dimensional nutritional benefits along with the traits of being natural antioxidants and antimicrobials (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6). Conversely, fresh fruits may play role as potential vehicles for the transmission of bacterial, parasitic and viral pathogens to the consumers ultimately leading to the possibility of the onset of food borne diseases (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10).…”