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The phytochemical contents, peroxyl radical scavenging capacities (PSCs) and cellular antioxidant activities (CAAs) of free and bound fractions of rice were reported. Black rice had the highest total phenolic content and total flavonoid content in free and bound fractions, followed by red rice, brown rice, and polished rice. Black rice contained much more free phenolic compounds than other rice samples, such as cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, protocatechuic acid, and vanillic acid. Tocopherols and tocotrienols contents were highest in red rice, then in black rice, brown rice, and polished rice. PSCs and CAAs of free and bound fractions were in the order: black rice > red rice > brown rice > polished rice, except that bound CAA of red rice was higher than that of black rice. The cellular uptake rate of free phenolics was highest in red rice, while cellular uptake rates of bound phenolics were highest in brown rice and polished rice., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The present study was designed to analyze and compare phytochemical activities of four different cultivars of kiwifruit. Among all investigated varieties, Hua You (HY) and Cui Xiang (CUX) displayed the maximum concentration of phytochemical content, and the highest total phenolic results were observed in HY and CUX cultivars with 220.20 ± 1.12 mg GAE/100 g and 218.04 ± 1.11 mg GAE/100 g FW, respectively. Likewise, the richest total flavonoids results were estimated in red kiwifruit (RKF) and CUX varieties with 49.082 ± 0.14 mg CE/100 g FW and 48.327 ± 0.14 mg CE/100 g FW, respectively. Moreover, tests for oxygen radical scavenging capacity (ORAC) and peroxyl radical scavenging capacity (PSC) were observed maximum in RKF cultivar showing 131.229 ± 5.91 μM Trolox equivalent/g FW and 85.957 ± 11.75 μM vitamin C equivalent/g FW, respectively. Furthermore, the highest cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) with No PBS wash protocol was depicted in RKF 237.544 ± 4.12 μM QE equivalent/g FW with the lowest EC 50 0.0128 mg/ml. In addition, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis confirmed the presence of ferulic acid, naringin, gallic acid, syringic acid, caffeic acid, rutin, protocatechuic acid, salicylic acid, and catechin in kiwifruit. Catechin as one main content in our study is consistent with the recent reports. The result suggested that the phytochemical profile and bioactivities were significantly affected by the type of cultivars. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Kiwifruit is widely consumed over the world for its rich nutritious and medicinal values. Currently, phytochemicals are considered as one of the main bioactive components of kiwifruits, which are responsible for lots of bioactivities, such as antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic activities. There are varieties of kiwifruits, and the bioactive components and bioactivities are greatly affected by the cultivars. But there have been no comparative studies on the phytochemicals from different varieties. This study aimed to make a comprehensive assessments of the free, bound, and total phenolics and flavonoids, as well as the chemical-based and cell-based antioxidant activities of four different subspecies of kiwifruit. This work would be beneficial to elucidate the function differences of different kiwifruit phytochemicals, promote its further research, as well as provide a basis for selecting cultivars., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Most of the previous in vitro digestion treatments were conducted directly to whole grains without extraction of free phenolics, thus the bioaccessible phenolics contained both free phenolics that survived the digestion and digested phenolics released by digestion. However, the profiles of digested phenolics released by digestion remain unknown. This study was designed to investigate the phytochemical contents, peroxyl radical scavenging capacities (PSCs), and cellular antioxidant activities (CAAs) of free, digested, and bound fractions of whole grains. Total phenolic contents of whole grains were highest in digested fraction, followed by free and bound fractions. The predominant phenolics were 12 phenolic acids and one flavonoid, which mostly existed in bound forms, then in digested and free forms. The digested phenolics bound to proteins were in conjugated form. The bound fractions had the highest PSCs, followed by free and digested fractions. CAAs were highest in bound fractions, followed by digested and free fractions.

The phytochemical profiles and antioxidant activity of free, soluble-conjugated, and bound fractions of brown rice and its processed products (textured rice, cooked rice and rice noodle) were studied. Nineteen phenolic acids were identified. Trans-ferulic acid was the most abundant monomeric phenolic acid with trans-trans-8-O-4' diferulic acid being most abundant diferulic acid. Processing increased the content of free phenolic acids, but decreased the content of soluble-conjugated phenolic acids. The content of bound phenolic acids was increased by improved extrusion cooking technology and cooking, but not affected by rice noodle extrusion. The total phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of free and soluble-conjugated fractions were decreased after processing, whereas those of bound fraction were increased by improved extrusion cooking technology and cooking, but not affected by rice noodle extrusion. Results indicated that whole foods designed for reducing chronic disease risk need to consider the effects of processing on phytochemical profiles and antioxidant activity of whole grains., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Phytochemical profiles, antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of berry extracts were evaluated and compared in four subspecies of Sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.). Among the subspecies, Hippophaë rhamnoides L. subsp. sinensis exhibited highest total phenolics content (38.7±1.3mgGA equiv./g DW) and corresponding total antioxidant activity. Whereas maximum cellular antioxidant and antiproliferative activities were determined in Hippophaë rhamnoides L. subsp. yunnanensis. Total antioxidant activity was significantly associated to total phenolics, isorhamnetin-3-rutinoside and isorhamnetin-3-glucoside. The cellular antioxidant activity and antiproliferative activity of phytochemicals were fairly correlated to phenolic acids and flavonoid aglycones. Lower median effective dose (EC 50 ) of individual compounds against human liver cancer HepG2 cells proliferation studies confirmed the better correlation between antiproliferative activity of Sea buckthorn extracts and flavonoid aglycones, including isorhamnetin, quercetin and kaempferol., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Consumption of plant foods has been negatively associated with the risk of developing chronic diseases, which is partly attributed to their rich and diverse phytochemicals. To promote the rational and effective application of Adinandra tea (Adinandra Jack), a traditional Chinese tea (Shiyacha) widely consumed as a health beverage, the complete phytochemical profile and antioxidant activity of four varieties of Adinandra tea were analyzed. They were rich in phenolics and flavonoids, ranging from 71.29 to 140.54 mg of gallic acid equivalent/g and from 19.13 to 88.72 mg of catechin equivalent/g, respectively. Their antioxidant capacities were high, as revealed by oxygen radical absorbance capacity, peroxyl radical scavenging capacity, and cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) assays. An obvious antiproliferation effect was observed in HepG2 and MCF-7 cells, with EC50 ranging from 1.05 to 6.44 mg/mL and from 2.26 to 8.02 mg/mL, respectively. Among the four varieties compared, Nitida and Millettii had a higher CAA value and antiproliferation activity, while Latifolia contained considerable bound phenolics.

Increased consumption of vegetables or plant food has been associated with decreased risk of developing major chronic diseases, such as cancers, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and age-related functional decline. Ramie leaves are rich in phenolics and flavonoids, which have been suggested for human health benefits. Phenolic contents, flavonoid contents, phenolic compounds, and anti-cancer properties in six species of ramie leaves were analyzed by Folin-reagent method, sodium borohydride/chloranil-based assay (SBC), HPLC method and antiproliferation, cytoxicity, respectively. Antioxidant activities were measured through peroxyl radical scavenging capacity (PSC) method, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) method, and cellular antioxidant activity (CAA). Research indicated that Boehmeria penduliflora contained the highest total phenolic content (2313.7±27.28 mg GAE/100 g FW), and flavonoid content (1682.4±27.70 mg CAE/100 g FW). Boehmeria tricuspis showed the highest PSC value (9574.8±117.63 µM vit. C equiv./100 g FW), while Boehmeria penduliflora indicated the highest ORAC value (330.44±16.88 µmol Trolox equiv./g FW). The antioxidant activities were correlated with phenolic contents and flavonoid contents. Boehmeria tricuspis had the highest antiproliferative capacity with the lowest EC₅₀ (4.11±0.19 mg/mL). The results for the analyzed ramie for CAA were significantly different from each other (p<0.05), Boehmeria tricuspis had the highest CAA value (133.63±7.10 µmol QE/100 g). Benzoic acid, 4-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid were the dominant phenolic ingredients in the ramie leaves according to HPLC analysis. Our research is the first report to study the phytochemical profiles and antioxidant activities in different species of ramie leaves for their health benefit.

Here, we examined the phytochemical profiles, antioxidant activity (AA), and antiproliferative activity (APA) of four Chinese bayberry (Myrica rubra Sieb. et Zucc.) pulp extracts. They were found to be rich in total phenolics content (TPC; 186.45 ± 5.42 to 498.94 ± 8.25 mg of gallic acid equiv./100 g FW) and total flavonoids content (TFC; 126.28 ± 4.18 to 194.35 ± 12.03 mg of catechin equiv./100 g FW). For all varieties, the free flavonoid/phenolic/anthocyanin contents were higher than that the bound fractions. Wild pink bayberry (WPB) displayed the highest values of TPC and TFC, and also showed the highest total antioxidant activity (TAA) as revealed by peroxyl radical scavenging capacity (PSC) (451.47 ± 8.01 µmol Vit. C equiv./100 g FW), and free cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) (184.99 ± 6.11 µmol quercetin equiv./100 g FW, no PBS wash; 117.78 ± 2.34 µmol quercetin equiv./100 g FW, PBS wash) assays. Bayberry extracts had a marked reduction in the APA of HepG2 cells, and WPB exhibited the lowest EC50 (8.50 ± 0.83 mg/ml) value, which was probably associated with cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction. Practical Application: Chinese bayberry (Myrica rubra Sieb. et Zucc.) fruit is rich in natural phenolic compounds, which might be a functional ingredient in food and nutraceutical products. Our findings would provide a logical strategy to promote the comprehensive utilization of phenolics in bayberry fruit with both health and economy benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Evidence suggests that a diet high in fruits and vegetables may decrease the risk of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer, and phytochemicals including phenolics, flavonoids and carotenoids from fruits and vegetables may play a key role in reducing chronic disease risk. Apples are a widely consumed, rich source of phytochemicals, and epidemiological studies have linked the consumption of apples with reduced risk of some cancers, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and diabetes. In the laboratory, apples have been found to have very strong antioxidant activity, inhibit cancer cell proliferation, decrease lipid oxidation, and lower cholesterol. Apples contain a variety of phytochemicals, including quercetin, catechin, phloridzin and chlorogenic acid, all of which are strong antioxidants. The phytochemical composition of apples varies greatly between different varieties of apples, and there are also small changes in phytochemicals during the maturation and ripening of the fruit. Storage has little to no effect on apple phytochemicals, but processing can greatly affect apple phytochemicals. While extensive research exists, a literature review of the health benefits of apples and their phytochemicals has not been compiled to summarize this work. The purpose of this paper is to review the most recent literature regarding the health benefits of apples and their phytochemicals, phytochemical bioavailability and antioxidant behavior, and the effects of variety, ripening, storage and processing on apple phytochemicals.

Cellular antioxidant activity ( CAA) and inhibition of hepato-cellular carcinoma (HepG2) proliferation were evaluated for the first time in the pulp and peel of mango cultivars. Comparatively, peel had high flavonoids and tocopherols content and showed significant antioxidant activity. Among all the studied cultivars, the Xiao Tainong peel was predominant with highest fistein, mangiferin and alpha-tocopherol content and significant cellular antioxidant activity value 2986 ± 380 μmol QE/100 g FW. The HepG2 cells antiproliferation was maximum in the peel of Da Tainong and pulp of Aozhou with lowest EC50 values, 2.35 ± 0.65 (peel) and 185.4 ± 10.9 (pulp) mg mL−1, in a dose-dependent manner. Negative associations of flavonoids and tocopherol compounds with CAA and antiproliferative activity in mango confirmed synergistic, additive or antagonistic actions of phytochemicals. The current study suggests that mango peel could be used as a value added ingredient or functional food and may contribute considerably to promote consumer health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparative assessment of the phytochemical profiles and antioxidant activities of seven cultivars of Aloe was conducted to evaluate the potential health benefits of Aloe. Aloe arborescens contained the highest levels of phenolic content, total antioxidant capacity by the oxygen radical scavenging capacity assay and cellular antioxidant activity assay. Aloe vera showed the highest levels of flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity by the peroxyl radical scavenging capacity assay. Aloe greenii had the highest CAA value with a PBS wash before adding ABAP. There were no significant differences observed between Aloe arborescens and Aloe greenii. Aloin, aloe-emodin-8-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, catechin, epicatechin, sinapic acid and chlorogenic acid were identified in Aloe samples by the HPLC analysis. Aloin, aloe-emodin-8-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside and catechin showed strong relationships with antioxidant activity. Significant levels of aloin, aloe-emodin-8-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside and catechin were determined in Aloe greenii, Aloe vera and Aloe saponaria, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the influence of processing operations such as drying/dehydration, canning, extrusion, high hydrostatic pressure, pulsed electric field, and ohmic heating on the phytochemicals of fruits, vegetables, and grains is important in retaining the health benefiting properties of these antioxidative compounds in processed food products. Most of the previous investigations in the literature on the antioxidants of fruits, vegetables, and grains have shown that food-processing operations reduced the antioxidants of the processed foods, which is also the usual consumer perception. However, in the last decade some articles in the literature reported that the evaluation of nutritional quality of processed fruits and vegetables not only depend on the quantity of vitamin C but should include analyses of other antioxidant phytochemicals and antioxidant activity. Thermal processing increased the total antioxidant activity of tomato and sweet corn. Most importantly, analysis also depends on the condition, type, and mechanism of antioxidant assays used. This review aims to provide concise information on the influence of various thermal and nonthermal food-processing operations on the stability and kinetics of health beneficial phenolic antioxidants of fruits, vegetables, and grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commonly consumed foxtail millet varieties Jingu28 and Jingu34 were compared in terms of phytochemical composition, antioxidant property, and antiproliferative activity. The cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) was evaluated based on HepG2 cell cultivation. Antiproliferative properties against HepG2 and MDA cell were assayed by methylene blue assay. Total phenolic content (TPC) was 78.79 and 114.22 mg gallic acid equiv/100 g DW in Jingu28 and Jingu34. Both varieties contained ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and p -coumaric acid, syringic acid. Xanthophylls and zeaxanthin were also detected. Peroxyl radical scavenging capacity of the foxtail millet were 228.13 (Jingu28) and 355.03 (Jingu34) μmol of vitamin C equiv/100 g, respectively. CAA values of the foxtail millet varieties ranged from 1.52 to 8.97 μmol quercetin equiv/100 g DW. The proliferation of MDA and HepG2 cancer cells were significantly inhibited in a dose-dependent manner after exposure to Jingu28 and Jingu34 extractions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grapes are rich in phytochemicals with many proven health benefits. Phenolic profiles, antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of twenty-four selected Vitis vinifera grape cultivars were investigated in this study. Large ranges of variation were found in these cultivars for the contents of total phenolics (95.3 to 686.5 mg/100 g) and flavonoids (94.7 to 1055 mg/100 g) and antioxidant activities (oxygen radical absorbance capacity 378.7 to 3386.0 mg of Trolox equivalents/100 g and peroxylradical scavenging capacity14.2 to 557 mg of vitamin C equivalents/100 g), cellular antioxidant activities (3.9 to 139.9 µmol of quercetin equivalents/100 g without PBS wash and 1.4 to 95.8 µmol of quercetin equivalents /100 g with PBS wash) and antiproliferative activities (25 to 82% at the concentrations of 100 mg/mL extracts).The total antioxidant activities were significantly correlated with the total phenolics and flavonoids. However, no significant correlations were found between antiproliferative activities and total phenolics or total flavonoids content. Wine grapes and color grapes showed much higher levels of phytochemicals and antioxidant activities than table grapes and green/yellow grapes. Several germplasm accessions with much high contents of phenolics and flavonoids, and total antioxidant activity were identified. These germplasm can be valuable sources of genes for breeding grape cultivars with better nutritional qualities of wine and table grapes in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is strong scientific evidence suggesting that regular consumption of fruits and vegetables is negatively associated with risk of developing chronic diseases. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend at least 9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day based on a 2000 kcal diet. However, the average person in the United States consumes 3.6 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. In order to achieve the goal of at least 9 servings, we should continue educating Americans about the health benefits of fruits and vegetables and recommend consumers to eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. The key is to increase the amount up to 9 to 13 servings of fruits and vegetables a day in all forms. Fresh, cooked, and processed fruits and vegetables including frozen and canned, 100% fruit juices, 100% vegetable juices, and dried fruits are all considered as servings of fruits and vegetables. A wide variety of fruits and vegetables provide a range of nutrients and different bioactive compounds including phytochemicals (phenolics, flavonoids, and carotenoids), vitamins (vitamin C, folate, and provitamin A), minerals (potassium, calcium, and magnesium), and fibers. More and more evidence suggests that the health benefits of fruits and vegetables are attributed to the additive and synergistic interactions of the phytochemicals present in whole foods by targeting multiple signal transduction pathways. Therefore, consumers should obtain nutrients and bioactive compounds from a wide variety of whole foods for optimal nutrition and health well-being, not from expensive dietary supplements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in most industrialized countries. Cranberries were evaluated for their potential roles in dietary prevention of CVD. Cranberry extracts were found to have potent antioxidant capacity preventing in vitro LDL oxidation with increasing delay and suppression of LDL oxidation in a dose-dependent manner. The antioxidant activity of 100 g cranberries against LDL oxidation was equivalent to 1000 mg vitamin C or 3700 mg vitamin E. Cranberry extracts also significantly induced expression of hepatic LDL receptors and increased intracellular uptake of cholesterol in HepG2 cells in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. This suggests that cranberries could enhance clearance of excessive plasma cholesterol in circulation. We propose that additive or synergistic effects of phytochemicals in cranberries are responsible for the inhibition of LDL oxidation, the induced expression of LDL receptors, and the increased uptake of cholesterol in hepatocytes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Grapes are rich in phenolics, flavonoids and resveratrol, which have been suggested to be responsible for their health benefits. The concentrations of phenolic, flavonoid, anthocyanins and resveratrol of 14 grape varieties grown in the Finger Lakes area of New York State were examined. Among the varieties tested, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir contained the highest total phenolic content with 424.6±3.8 and 396.8±12.4mg/100g, respectively. The total flavonoid content of Pinot Noir (301.8±6.2mg/100g) was around 3.1-fold higher than that of Baco Noir. Baco Noir had the highest resveratrol content (571±30μg/100g) of the varieties tested. Cabernet Franc possessed the highest antioxidant activity. Total antioxidant activities of grape extracts are well correlated with total phenolic content. The proliferation of Caco-2, HepG2 and MCF-7 human cancer cells was significantly inhibited in a dose-dependent manner after exposure to Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Catawba, Concord, Sheridan, Niagara and Riesling. The results suggest that phytochemicals in the selected wine grapes have potent antioxidant and antiproliferative activities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Consumption of brown rice is associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases, which might be attributed to the presence of unique phytochemicals. This study aimed to evaluate phytochemicals profile, cellular antioxidant and anti-proliferative activities in glutinous and non-glutinous brown rice varieties of indica and japonica subspecies. In general, bound fractions of brown rice depicted significant variation levels of phytochemicals, antioxidant and anti-proliferative activities. Anti-proliferative activity of bound fraction, total antioxidant capacity and cellular antioxidant activity of non-glutinous type were significantly higher than glutinous type ( p  < 0.05). Present investigation could be significant to introduce brown rice as functional foods and to increase awareness about health benefits of whole grain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phytochemical content and antioxidant activity of eight varieties of brown rice (BR) are reported. The total phenolic contents of BR ranged from 72.45 to 120.13 mg of gallic acid equiv./100 g. The phenolics from bound fraction contributed 40.6–50.2% of the total phenolic content. The total flavonoid contents of BR ranged from 75.90 to 112.03 mg catechin equiv./100 g. The flavonoids from the bound fraction contributed 26.9–48.2% of total flavonoids. Trans -ferulic acid was the predominant phenolic acid in BR. Total trans -ferulic acid content ranged from 161.42 to 374.81 μg/100 g. The percentage of trans -ferulic acid in bound fraction ranged from 96.4% to 99.2%. Only α- and γ-tocopherols and -tocotrienols were detected in BR with α-tocopherol and γ-tocotrienol being the predominant. The total peroxyl radical scavenging capacity (PSC) of BR ranged from 18.29 to 40.33 mg vitamin C equiv./100 g. The bound fraction contributed 67.2–77.2% of total PSC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus is a rich source of nutritive and bioactive compounds. Impact of fruit tissues and ripening stage on phytochemical profile, antioxidant capacity and antiproliferative activity was investigated in Citrus reticulata Blanco cv. Chachiensis (Chachi). Regardless of different ripening stage, peel had the highest contents of phenolics and flavonoids, strongest antioxidant activities resolved by PSC, ORAC and CAA assay and antiproliferative activities against MCF-7, HepG2 and SiHa cancer cell. Increased level of total phenolics, hesperidin and naringin, and elevated antioxidant capacities were detected in peel during maturity, whereas highest amount of nobiletin and strongest antiproliferative activities were explored in immature peel. In flesh the vitamin C content increased during ripening, while lower phenolic content, smallest ORAC value and weakest antiproliferative activity were resolved in mature flesh. The flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity in seed were comparable with flesh and relatively constant during ripening, suggesting seeds as a valuable source of flavonoid extraction for further utilization. The characteristic flavonoids, nobiletin, tangeretin, hesperetin and naringenin inhibited proliferation of SiHa, HepG2 and MCF-7 cell dose-dependently, thus suggesting their contribution and potential application. Results presented here provide the foundation for comprehensive utilization of phytochemicals in different parts of this medicinal and edible citrus fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the antioxidant activity of a tropical fruit juice and its antiproliferative and antimutagenic effects. The antioxidant activity was determined by several different methods, such as ORAC, ABTS, PSC (peroxyl radical scavenging capacity) and CAA (cellular antioxidant activity). The total of phenolics and flavonoids were determined, and the phenolic compounds were identified by LC-DAD-ESI-MS. The juice showed high total phenolic and flavonoid contents (838.44 ± 30.27 g GAE/100 g and 219.45 ± 12.27 mg CE/100 g DW, respectively). According to the PSC, CAA, ABTS and ORAC assays, the tropical fruit juice showed a high antioxidant value of 308.39 ± 3.10 μM AEE/100 g, 26.76 ± 4.47 μM QE/100 g, 167.17 ± 4.10 μM TE/g DW and 235.90 ± 11.90 μM TE/g DW, respectively. The proliferation of HepG 2 was significantly inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, by exposure to the tropical fruit juice. Antimutagenic activity was investigated by micronucleous test in mice, and all doses evaluated (30, 100 and 300 mg/kg b.w.) showed beneficial effects. As a consequence, these results encourage further studies on the pharmacological and functional properties of this tropical fruit juice, in order to evaluate its use as a functional food, due to its beneficial health properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The phytochemical content and antioxidant activity of six diverse varieties of whole wheat are reported. The free phenolic content ranged from 255 (KanQueen) to 499 (Roane)μmol gallic acid equivalents/100g DW. The bound phenolic content ranged from 582 (Roane) to 662 (Cham1) μmol gallic acid equivalents/100g DW. The bound fraction contributed 53.8–69.7% of the total phenolic content of the wheat varieties analysed. Ferulic acid was the predominant phenolic acid found in whole wheat. Total ferulic acid content ranged from 310.8 (Caledonia) to 496.1 (KanQueen)μmol ferulic acid/100g DW. The percentage of ferulic acid found in the insoluble-bound fraction ranged from 87.4% (Caledonia) to 97.2% (KanQueen). Other phenolic acids, p-coumaric acid, syringic acid, vanillic acid, and caffeic acid were also detected. Lutein was the predominant carotenoid found in the whole wheat varieties analysed. Zeaxanthin, β-carotene, and β-cryptoxanthin were also detected. Mainly α- and β-tocopherols and α- and β-tocotrienols were found in all varieties of whole wheat though γ-tocopherol was detected in all but two varieties. β-Tocotrienol was the predominant form of vitamin E found in all varieties of whole wheat. The antioxidant activity was assessed using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. The ORAC of the free fraction ranged from 1958 to 3749μmol Trolox equivalents/100g DW. The ORAC of the bound fraction ranged from 3190 to 5945μmol Trolox equivalents/100g DW. Total phenolic content was correlated with oxygen radical absorbance capacity (R 2 =0.810; p <0.001). The phytochemicals found in whole grains may be responsible for the health benefit of whole grain consumption. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]