The Interactions Between Rapeseed Lipoxygenase and Native Polyphenolic Compounds in a Model System

The focus of the present research was to study inhibition of lipoxygenase activity by rapeseed native polyphenols and the interactions between those compounds and the enzyme. The enzyme and polyphenolic compounds (polyphenols, phenolic acids) were extracted from rapeseed (Brassica napus) varieties Aviso and PR45DO3. The total phenolic compounds concentration in tested rapeseed was 1,485–1,691 mg/100 g d.m. (dry matter) and the free phenolic acids content in both rapeseed varieties was about 76 μg/100 g d.m. The isolated proteins showed lipoxygenase activity. Prooxidant properties of phenolic compounds in the presence of lipoxygenase and linoleic acid were observed rather in the case of extracts containing a relatively high concentration of miscellaneous polyphenols. Antioxidant properties were recorded in the case of phenolic acid extracts which contain only 1.4–1.9% of phenolics present in raw phenolic extracts. We propose that the prooxidant effect of phenolic compounds comes from quinone and oxidized polyphenols formation. The observed antioxidant activity of phenolic acid extracts is probably due to their ability to scavenge free radicals formed from linoleic acid. However, reduction of lipoxygenase ferric to ferrous ions, which prevent the activation of the enzyme and inhibited its activity, was also observed

Effect of Maturity on Phenolics (Phenolic Acids and Flavonoids) Profile of Strawberry Cultivars and Mulberry Species from Pakistan

In this study, we investigated how the extent of ripeness affects the yield of extract, total phenolics, total flavonoids, individual flavonols and phenolic acids in strawberry and mulberry cultivars from Pakistan. In strawberry, the yield of extract (%), total phenolics (TPC) and total flavonoids (TFC) ranged from 8.5–53.3%, 491–1884 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 g DW and 83–327 mg catechin equivalents (CE)/100 g DW, respectively. For the different species of mulberry the yield of extract (%), total phenolics and total flavonoids of 6.9–54.0%, 201–2287 mg GAE/100 g DW and 110–1021 mg CE/100 g DW, respectively, varied significantly as fruit maturity progressed. The amounts of individual flavonols and phenolic acid in selected berry fruits were analyzed by RP-HPLC. Among the flavonols, the content of myricetin was found to be high in Morus alba (88 mg/100 g DW), the amount of quercetin as high in Morus laevigata (145 mg/100 g DW) while kaempferol was highest in the Korona strawberry (98 mg/100 g DW) at fully ripened stage. Of the six phenolic acids detected, p-hydroxybenzoic and p-coumaric acid were the major compounds in the strawberry. M. laevigata and M. nigra contained p-coumaric acid and vanillic acid while M. macroura and M. alba contained p-hydroxy-benzoic acid and chlorogenic acid as the major phenolic acids. Overall, a trend to an increase in the percentage of extraction yield, TPC, TFC, flavonols and phenolic acids was observed as maturity progressed from un-ripened to fully-ripened stages

Influence of soybean storage conditions on crude oil quality

This study was done to evaluate the quality of crude oil from soybeans stored under different conditions. The grains were harvested at 18% (w.b.) moisture content (m.c.), and after drying to 11.2, 12.8 and 14.8% they were stored at 20, 30 or 40 ºC. Changes in free fatty acid (FFA) content, peroxide, iodine and photometric color index of the extracted oil were determined at 45-day intervals for 180-day storage. In general, oil FFA content increased in all the samples, except in grains at 11.2% m.c. and stored at 20 ºC. The peroxide and photometric color index increased significantly, independently of storage conditions; however, the increase was more accentuated in oil extracted of stored grains at high m.c. and temperature. It was concluded that crude oil quality is not affected during 6-month storage of soybeans up to 15.0% m.c. (w.b.) at 20 ºC, and for storage at 30 ºC, the grain moisture up to 13% maintains oil quality within the Brazilian market standards.Propôs-se, neste trabalho, avaliar a qualidade do óleo bruto extraído dos grãos de soja armazenados em diferentes condições. Grãos de soja foram colhidos com aproximadamente 18,0% de teor de água (b.u.) e, após secados até 11,2, 12,8 e 14,8% b.u., armazenados a 20, 30 e 40 ºC. A cada 45 dias até 180 dias de armazenamento, foram determinados o teor de ácidos graxos livres, o índice de peróxido, o índice de iodo e o índice fotométrico de cor do óleo bruto. Em geral, o percentual de ácidos graxos livres aumentou, exceto no óleo extraído dos grãos armazenados com 11,2% a 20 ºC. O índice de peróxido e o índice fotométrico de cor do óleo aumentaram significativamente em todas as condições de armazenagem; entretanto, este comportamento foi mais acentuado no óleo extraído dos grãos armazenados com maior teor de água e temperatura mais elevada. Pode-se concluir, com base nos resultados, que é possível armazenar grãos de soja com teor de água de até 15,0% (b.u.) a 20 ºC, sem afetar a qualidade do óleo bruto, por 180 dias, e obter, ainda, óleo bruto de soja com qualidade, dentro dos padrões exigidos para comercialização no Brasil, de soja armazenada com até 13,0% de teor de água a 30 ºC, durante 180 dias