Premium
Traditional foods for health: screening of the antioxidant capacity and phenolic content of selected Black Sea area local foods
Author(s) -
Danesi Francesca,
Pasini Federica,
Caboni Maria Fiorenza,
D'Antuono Luigi Filippo,
Bordoni on behalf of the BaSeFood Consortium Alessandra
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.6339
Subject(s) - food science , antioxidant capacity , antioxidant , health benefits , chemistry , traditional medicine , biochemistry , medicine
BACKGROUND The nutritional characteristics of the Black Sea area ( BSA ) traditional foods are almost unknown, and they could be interesting sources of antioxidant compounds. In this study, carried out within the BaSeFood project, the in vitro total antioxidant capacity ( TAC ) and phenolic content of 39 BSA traditional foods were determined using different assays.RESULTS An ample range of TAC and phenolics content was detected in the examined foods that were ranked according to their scavenging activity expressed per weight unit and per serving size. Based on serving size, the highest TAC was in the order blueberries > nettle soup > sunflower seeds, and the fruits/fruit‐based foods group was the one having the highest activity. Correlation analysis evidenced that the TAC is highly dependent on total phenolic content, while hydroxycinnamic acids and compounds having o ‐diphenolic structure did not show specific prominent effects. Finally, correlations between the two methods used for measuring the TAC suggest that they are both suitable in a wide range of foods.CONCLUSION Our data represent the first contribution to further research on the health effects of BSA traditional foods. This could enhance the interest of consumers, with potential benefits to stakeholders at all levels of the production chain. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry