Total phenol, flavonoid, proanthocyanidin and vitamin C levels and antioxidant activities of Mauritian vegetables

Abstract

Ten Mauritian vegetables, broccoli, cauliflower, white cabbage, lettuce, Chinese cabbage, mugwort, carrot, onion, tomato and chilli pepper, were analysed for their total phenol, flavonoid, proanthocyanidin and vitamin C contents and antioxidant capacity. Antioxidant activities of the vegetables ranged from 0.43 to 3.68 µmol g −1 fresh weight Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and from 0.60 to 8.47 µmol g −1 fresh weight ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Levels of total phenols in the vegetables varied between 132 and 1189 µg g −1 fresh weight and those of total flavonoids between 45 and 944 µg g −1 fresh weight, while proanthocyanidins were detected at very low levels in only a few vegetables. Vitamin C contents varied between 25 and 748 µg g −1 fresh weight. Quercetin was the dominant flavonoid aglycone in the hydrolysed vegetable extracts, with values in the range of 15-390 µg g −1 fresh weight. There were strong correlations between antioxidant capacity and total phenols (TEAC, r = 0.91; FRAP, r = 0.83) and total flavonoids (TEAC, r = 0.89; FRAP, r = 0.82). Vitamin C contents showed poor correlation with TEAC values (r = 0.33), while no correlation was observed with FRAP values. Highest antioxidant capacities were observed in Chinese cabbage (Brassica chinensis L), onion (Allium cepa L), mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris Cantley) and broccoli (Brassica oleracea L var botrytis L subvar cymosa). Mauritian vegetables therefore represent a significant source of phenolic antioxidants, with quercetin derivatives being most abundant, and this may contribute to their potential health benefits.

The effects of plant density and irrigation on phenolic content in cauliflower

“…In the present study, quercetin was the predominant flavonol in cauliflower curds (Table 5). This is in agreement with data reported by Puupponen-Pimiä et al (2003), Bahorun et al (2004), Ahmed and Ali (2013) and Dos Reis et al (2015). Other authors obtained contradictory results (Pellegrini et al 2010;Mazzeo et al 2011;Sikora et al 2012).…”

“…However, other researchers observed significantly lower kaempferol content (Bahorun et al 2004;Pellegrini et al 2010;Mazzeo et al 2011;Sikora et al 2012). According to Kaur et al (2007) and Luthria (2009), the differences reported in the levels of phenolic compounds could be due to the methods used.…”

The potential of biochar for reducing the negative effects of soil contamination on the phytochemical properties and heavy metal accumulation in wheat grain

“…Total flavonoids (TFC) were estimated according to the method described by Bahorun et al (2004). One milliliter of sample was mixed with 1 ml 2% AlCl 3 ×6H 2 O.…”

Anthelmintic Potential of Pods and Stem Bark Extracts of Cassia Fistula L.

“…Bark of C. fistula contains tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, phenolic compounds, carbohydrates, steroids and triterpenoids 3 . Stem bark of C. fistula is potential source of lupeol, ß-sitosterol and hexacosanol 4 . Two new furanoflavones A and B with 3,4'-dimethoxy-5-hydroxy-7, 8 (2"-(2 hydroxyethyl)furan)-flavones,3,4'-dimethoxy-5-hydroxy-7,8-(2"-ethyl furan) flavone,furano-(2",3":7,6)-4'-hydroxyflavanone, pachycarin D, 5-hydroxy-2"-isopropenyl 3 methoxyfurano-(2",3":7,8)-flavone and 5 hydroxy-2"-(1-hydroxy-1methylethyl)-3methoxy-furano (2",3": 7,8)-flavone was identified in 70% aqueous acetone extract of stem of C. fistula 5 Chronic infection caused by parasitic helminthes (Worms) children often becomes infected with one or more species.…”