Aneta Wojdyło

A polyphenolic preparation in the form of the passion fruit epicarp extract was analyzed to identify and quantify the polyphenolic compounds using LC QTOF/ESI-MS and UPLC-PDA-FL. The analyzed parameters included antidiabetic activity (α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and pancreatic lipase), inhibitory activity toward cholinesterase (AChE, BuChE), anti-inflammatory activity (COX-1, COX-2, 15-LOX) and antioxidant activity based on ORAC and ABTS. The polyphenolic preparation of the passion fruit epicarp extract contained 51 polyphenolic compounds representing five groups—flavones (25 compounds; 52% of total polyphenolic), flavonols (8; 16%), flavan-3-ols (6; 7%), phenolic acids (4; 3%), and anthocyanins (7; 21%), with derivatives of luteolin (13 derivatives) and apigenin (8 derivatives) as dominant compounds. The preparation was characterized by an antioxidant activity of 160.7 (ORAC) and 1004.4 mmol Trolox/100 mL (ABTS+o). The inhibitory activity toward α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and pancreatic lipase reached IC50 of 7.99, 12.80, and 0.42, respectively. The inhibition of cholinesterases (IC50) was 18.29 for AChE and 14.22 for BuChE. Anti-inflammatory activity as IC50 was 6.0 for COX-1, 0.9 for COX-2, and 4.9 for 15-LOX. Food enriched with passion fruit epicarp extract has a potentially therapeutic effect.

Background Carrot is a popular vegetable consumed by people of all age groups and is used in various food products because of its high nutritional content, especially vitamin A. Results In the present study, colorful fresh carrot juices of 12 carrot varieties were investigated for in vitro antidiabetic, anti‐aging, and anti‐obesity activities with antioxidant potential by ABTS (2,2'‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) and FRAP (ferric reducing ability of plasma) assays. The studied juices were also compared for physicochemical characteristics: titratable acidity, pH, pectin content, total soluble solids, dry mass, ash, viscosity, turbidity, osmolality, and color. The results of the study showed that normal purple carrot juice exhibited the best activities in all biological and antioxidant tests, except for anti‐ α ‐glucosidase activity. Normal purple carrot juice also had the highest total mineral content with elevated results for titratable acidity, pH, total soluble solids, dry mass, ash, viscosity, and osmolality. Conclusion Purple carrot juices demonstrated elevated health‐promoting activities and could be used in blended beverage recipes to attract children's attention. The results of sensorial characteristics (appearance, color, and taste) of juices, however, showed that people are more familiar with orange carrot products. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.