Content of bioactive compounds in the peach kernels and their antioxidant, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-aging properties

Abstract

In this study, the content of bioactive compounds (polyphenols and tetraterpenoids), antioxidative activity, and inhibitory activities toward α-amylase, α-glucosidase, cholinesterase of different cultivars of peach kernels were measured. Such results have not been published so far. It has been shown that peach kernels were characterized by a similar profile of bioactive compounds as the peach fruit, however, the content of some of these compounds was completely different. The total content of polyphenols ranged from 12.7 to 3.8 g/100 g dm, the carotenoids contains were from 101.7 to 0.0 mg/100 g dm and the amount of cyanogenic glycoside ranged from 245.7 to 17.4 mg/100 g dm. The peach kernels were also characterized by high antioxidative potential and the ability to inhibit enzymes linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. The study showed that the health-promoting properties of peach kernels are stimulated by polymeric procyanidins, hydroxycinnamic acids, carotenoids and cyanogenic glycosides. Generally, it was confirmed that peach kernels could be a valuable source of polyphenols used by the pharmaceutical industry for the production of dietary supplements to support the prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases.

Evaluation of Anti-inflammatory, Antinociceptive, and Antipyretic Activities of Prunus persica var. nucipersica (Nectarine) Kernel

“…Fragmentation of a formate adduct ([M + HCOO] − at m/z 479) led to a product ions at m/z 433, corresponding to the molecular deprotonated ion [M-H] −, and 271, corresponding to deprotonated aglycone generated by the loss of a hexose moiety as a result of the O-sugar bond cleavage. This evidence suggested the identification of 10 as naringenin O-hexoside, according to previous studies[19,30].Compounds 6-8 (t R = 34.5, 35.3, and 35.7 min, respectively) occur in nectarine kernel as isomers. All three molecules are characterized by the same UV spectrum (λ max 265) and identical ESI-MS and MS/MS data, with formate adducts [M + HCOO] − at m/z 585 and product ions at m/z 539, corresponding to molecular deprotonated ions [M -H] − , 377, generated by the loss of a hexose moiety ([M -H-162] − , and 329, probably due to subsequent losses of one water molecule and two methyl residues ([M -H-162-18-15-15] − ).…”

“…A fragmentation pattern showed a product ion at m/z 269, attributable to the aglycone, since the loss of a pentose moiety ([M -H-132] − ) was observed. Apigenin (molecular weight of 270 amu) was previously observed in P. persica kernel as aglycone [19] and in P. persica seeds as glycoside [30]. According to previous studies on peach kernel [18][19][20], results of our chemical investigations indicated that nectarine kernels are also a source of phenolic compounds, especially flavonoids.…”

“…Apigenin (molecular weight of 270 amu) was previously observed in P. persica kernel as aglycone [19] and in P. persica seeds as glycoside [30]. According to previous studies on peach kernel [18][19][20], results of our chemical investigations indicated that nectarine kernels are also a source of phenolic compounds, especially flavonoids. Previous investigations demonstrated that medicinal plant constituents, including flavonoids, produce significant antinociceptive activity [32].…”

“…Furthermore, the nectarine kernel has received reduced attention regarding its pharmacological activities. Recent studies have reported the occurrence of phenolic compounds in peach kernels showing high antioxidant activity as well as antihyperglycemic and antiaging effects [18][19][20]. Thus, these results encourage further investigations on the peach kernel as a valuable source of bioactive molecules that could be used in the pharmaceutical field, exploiting a waste product of the peach industry.…”

“…Prunasin is usually generated, together with one molecule of glucose, by enzymatic hydrolysis of amigdalin as a consequence of disruption of the kernel tissue. Both cyanogenic glycosides occurr in P. persica kernel [19]. Compound 5 (t R = 31.9 min) showed two strong absorptions in the UV spectrum typical of flavonoids at 280 and 305 nm, while the mass spectrum was characterized by the presence of the [M + HCOO] − ion at m/z 447, indicating 402 amu as the molecular weight.…”