Radical scavenging activity of plant extracts from improved processing

Abstract

Radical scavenging activity of extracts obtained from 16 plants harvested in South Hungary was assessed and compared to the activity of ascorbic acid standard. During extraction, a novel technique involving an ethanolic treatment at ambient temperature was used for advanced active component release. Although the procedure is time consuming, it serves as an efficient and harmless route to extract valuable antioxidant compounds from their natural sources. The as-prepared extracts consist of two phases (except Allium sativum), a clear solution and a thick suspension containing solid plant parts that separates in about 2 h. The samples were analysed by the antioxidant assay based on the scavenging of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals. For most of the species, the solid phase retained considerable amount of available antioxidant agents, while the solution parts showed significant radical scavenging activity. The main exceptions were Nigella sativa, Hippophae rhamnoides and Linum usitatissimum, where the solid parts were less active. Overall, the extracts possessed remarkable antioxidant activity that were compared to published literature data and were found to be superior.

Linking abiotic stress, plant metabolites, biostimulants and functional food

“…Furthermore, it can be expected that many new potential organic sources applicable as biostimulants shall be revealed, with beneficial effects on crop plants stress resistance and nutritional quality, such as so far unexplored medicinal and spice plants, or wild plant species commonly grown in stressful conditions in the natural habitat. To this end, Szerlauth, Muráth, Viski, and Szilagyi (2019) evaluated radical scavenging activity of 16 plants extracts and compared with the ascorbic acid as a standard. In general, the tested plant extracts showed remarkable antioxidant properties.…”

Phytochemistry and pharmacological activity of the genus artemisia

“…ROS is a complete range of large riposte molecules that are produced from oxygen metabolism (Dhanapal et al 2016 ). Antioxidants maintain the equilibrium of radicals in cells, which prohibit oxidative stress against different ailments (Szerlauth et al 2019 ). However, the excess formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is due to severance of the exquisite balance in the middle of the antioxidant system, its production is accountable for the oxidative damage which results in the deterioration of cellular macromolecules like enzymes, lipids, deoxyribose nucleic acids (DNA), and proteins (Halliwell and Gutteridges 1984 ; Msaada et al 2015 ).…”

Variation of Polyphenol Content and Antioxidant Activity in Some Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) Populations from Romania

“…Natural antioxidants are preferred by the consumers, because they are safe compared to the synthetic antioxidants [35]. Considering that most natural antioxidants have reactive hydrogen atoms which act as reductants, the DPPH procedure is a good estimation of the standard antioxidant profile [36].…”