Contents of Vitamin C, Carotenoids, Tocopherols, and Tocotrienols in the Subtropical Plant Species Cyphostemma digitatum as Affected by Processing

Abstract

The subtropical plant species Cyphostemma digitatum, Vitaceae, is used in central Yemen in traditional medicine, as a culinary herb, and as a source of food flavoring. The contents of vitamin C, vitamin E, and carotenoids and changes caused by common processing were investigated. Carotenoids were determined by reversed phase C30-high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with diode array detection at 470 nm, while tocopherols and tocotrienols were analyzed by using normal phase HPLC with fluorescence detection (excitation, 292 nm; emission, 330 nm). Ascorbic acid was determined spectrophotometrically after reaction with DNP by measuring the absorbance at 520 nm. For the raw material and for the processed commercial food product, both in dried form, reasonable quantities of carotenoids were found in the raw material as follows: lutein, 18.89 +/- 0.73 mg/100 g; zeaxanthin, 9.46 +/- 0.30 mg/100 g; canthaxanthin, 0.21 +/- 0.01 mg/100 g; beta-cryptoxanthin, 0.67 +/- 0.03 mg/100 g; and beta-carotene, 14.60 +/- 0.46 mg/100 g. Household processing reduced the carotenoid contents dramatically; only beta-carotene sustained the processing. Likewise, vitamin C, 49.50 +/- 0.01 mg/100 g in the raw material and 20.30 +/- 0.02 mg/100 g in the processed material, was affected negatively by processing; only 41% was retained after processing. In contrast, the outstanding high content of vitamin E, 82.74 +/- 0.63 mg/100 g in the raw material, was increased by processing to 101.20 +/- 1.38 mg/100 g; it was found in different forms, some of which were rare in other sources.

Identification and quantification of phenols, carotenoids, and vitamin C from papaya (Carica papaya L., cv. Maradol) fruit determined by HPLC-DAD-MS/MS-ESI

“…Additionally, phenols contribute to fruits' color and taste and have been described as possessing anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic activity (Al-Duais, 2009;Gorinstein et al, 2009). Various studies have shown that phenolic compounds have high antioxidant potential, resulting in a beneficial effect to human health (Vijaya Kumar Reddy, Sreeramulu, & Raghunath, 2010).…”

“…They play a very important role in human health and nutrition, recognized as strong antioxidants due to their ability to trap singlet oxygen and eliminate the peroxyl radical (Al-Duais, 2009). Some carotenoids have pro-vitamin A activity (β-carotene, α-carotene, γ-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin) and reduce the risk of cancer and coronary vein disease (Yahia & Ornelas-Paz, 2010).…”

Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Cyphostemma Digitatum on Serum Lipid Profile and Liver Enzymes in Hyperlipidemic Subjects

“…The mechanism of hepatoprotection of CD could be explained through an inhibition of activity of cytochrome P450 enzymes as mentioned by Zhao, et al [60]. Other mechanism may be due to the antioxidant activity of CD because of its high total phenolic compound and vitamins content as reported by [13,14]. Table- …”

“…Usually dry food discs (8-12 cm in diameter with irregular 1-5 mm thickness) are commercially produced which are regularly used to prepare many traditional dishes or as a source for food flavoring. It has been also used in traditional medicine for vomiting, against malaria and headache and for general health support [14]. In addition, it was reported that CD contains high amounts of vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, and β-carotene [14].…”

“…It has been also used in traditional medicine for vomiting, against malaria and headache and for general health support [14]. In addition, it was reported that CD contains high amounts of vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, and β-carotene [14]. To date, the hypolipidemic effects of CD have never been reported.…”