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Pseudofruits of Hovenia dulcis, at five different ripening stages, were evaluated in order to characterize their bioactive compounds (phenolic compounds, tocopherols and fatty acids), and determine their biofunctionality (antitumor, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity). Epi(gallochatechin) was the main phenolic compound (24.7 mg/g, Hd05), α-tocopherol was the main isoform, increasing its content with the maturity process (5.43 mg/100 g, Hd04), C18:2 was the main polyunsaturated fatty acid (35.5%, Hd04), while C16:0 was the predominant saturated fatty acids (38%, Hd01). The most immature stages (Hd01-Hd02) showed antitumor activity against all tested tumor cell lines, mainly against NCI-H460; also Hd01 and Hd02 presented the highest antimicrobial activity, mainly against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. This underutilized product demonstrated to be a rich source of phenolic compounds and tocopherols showing an interesting activity in immature stages (unfit for consumption in natura) and could be use as alternative bioactive ingredient for functional foods, dietary supplements or nutraceuticals.

During development of plant products metabolic changes in bioactive compounds occur. The main objective of this work was to evaluate peduncles of H. dulcis Thunb. at five different stages of maturation, for antioxidant compounds contents (including phenols and organic acids) and antioxidant capacity. This is the first report on the evolution of antioxidants in H. dulcis pseudofruits through maturation process. The organic acids profile in the peduncules of H. dulcis evolves from majority of tartaric acid to citric acid. Immature peduncles (at a developmental stage not suitable for food consumption) are better functional ingredient with higher polyphenols and antioxidant capacity.

Pseudofruits of Hovenia dulcis, at five different ripening stages, were evaluated in order to characterize their bioactive compounds (phenolic compounds, tocopherols and fatty acids), and determine their biofunctionality (antitumor, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity). Epi(gallochatechin) was the main phenolic compound (24.7 mg/g, Hd05), α-tocopherol was the main isoform, increasing its content with the maturity process (5.43 mg/100 g, Hd04), C18:2 was the main polyunsaturated fatty acid (35.5%, Hd04), while C16:0 was the predominant saturated fatty acids (38%, Hd01). The most immature stages (Hd01-Hd02) showed antitumor activity against all tested tumor cell lines, mainly against NCI-H460; also Hd01 and Hd02 presented the highest antimicrobial activity, mainly against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus . This underutilized product demonstrated to be a rich source of phenolic compounds and tocopherols showing an interesting activity in immature stages (unfit for consumption in natura ) and could be use as alternative bioactive ingredient for functional foods, dietary supplements or nutraceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During development of plant products metabolic changes in bioactive compounds occur. The main objective of this work was to evaluate peduncles of H. dulcis Thunb. at five different stages of maturation, for antioxidant compounds contents (including phenols and organic acids) and antioxidant capacity. This is the first report on the evolution of antioxidants in H. dulcis pseudofruits through maturation process. The organic acids profile in the peduncules of H. dulcis evolves from majority of tartaric acid to citric acid. Immature peduncles (at a developmental stage not suitable for food consumption) are better functional ingredient with higher polyphenols and antioxidant capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]