Antioxidant Activity of Anthocyanins Extracted from Iraqi <i>Iresine herbstii</i> L. Flowers after Drying and Freezing

Abstract

Any processing method that maintains the level of compounds known for their health benefits will be of interest to the food industries. Therefore, the effects of vacuum drying, storage and freezing on the anthocyanin content and their antioxidant properties of Iresine herbstii L. flowers were investigated. The results showed that fresh samples (AEFF) had the highest amount of total anthosyanin content (8.31 ± 0.23 mg/g dry matter, expressed as cyaniding 3-glucoside equivalents), followed by 7.17 ± 0.12 mg/g solid content, 13.72% loss of vacuum dried samples (AEDF). In comparison with fresh samples, total anthocyanins in stored samples for two weeks at 5˚C (AESF) and frozen samples during 1 (AEZF1) and 3 months (AEZF 3 ) of storage were significantly (P < 0.01) reduced to 6.43 ± 0.24 mg/g solid content, 22.63% loss, 5.65 ± 0.33 mg/g solid content, 32.01% loss and 4.71 ± 0.51 mg/g solid content, 43.33% loss, respectively. Anthocyanins from I. herbstii L. flowers exhibited a dose-dependent (AEFF > AEDF > AESF > AEZF 1 > AEZF 3 , respectively) antioxidant activity against lipid peroxidation in a linoleic acid model system as well as strong reducing power and ferrous ion chelating abilities. Moreover, the anthocyanins extracted were found to show remarkable scavenging activity on superoxide anion radicals, hydroxyl radicals, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide radicals and deoxyribose degradation. Based on the results obtained, we can concluded that the Iresine herbstii L. flowers may be valuable natural antioxidant sources and are potentially applicable in both pharmacy and food industry.

Phenolic Composition and Inhibitory Ability of Methanolic Extract from Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L) Seeds on Fe-induced Thiobarbituric acid reactive species in Albino Rat's Testicular Tissue In-Vitro

“…The radicals scavenging and Fe 2+ chelating abilities could be among the mechanism of actions by which the studied extract prevented productions of TBARs, which if left uncheck could induce OS in the body (Adedayo et al, 2015a). The reducing power of the extract, expressed as ascorbic acid equivalent (AAE) could be via electron and/or hydrogen atom transfer ability of the phenolic compounds present in the extract (Chen et al, 2013;Al-Fartosy and Abdulwahid, 2015). According to Allhorn et al (2005), ability of plant/food extract or natural compound to reduce metals could be a pointer to it potent anti-oxidation defense mechanism.…”

Hibiscus Sabdarrifa L. Anthocyanins-Induced Changes in Reproductive Hormones of Cadmium-Exposed Rats

“…Since Cd's reproductive toxicity is mediated through oxidative stress via increase in reactive oxygen species is, administration of vitamins, lipids, flavonoids and other molecules with antioxidant properties have been shown to ameliorate Cd-induced testicular damage [12][13][14]. In this regard, researchers have noted the ability of plant pigments such as anthocyanins as antioxidant against Cd toxicity [15][16][17][18].…”