RESUMO
Ginseng has been used as a medicinal herb in Asian countries for hundreds of years. It contains many kinds of ginsenosides as major active ingredients and is known to have neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and antidiabetic properties. In this study, we have developed cream soup with different concentrations (0%, 3%, 5%, 7%, and 10%) of ginseng powder (GP) and determined the quality characteristics (color, viscosity, salinity, etc.) and antioxidant activity, along with sensory parameters. After the addition of GP, significant differences in salinity, L* and a*color value, DPPH, and ABTS were found among different concentrations of GP. Cream soup supplemented with GP 10% exhibited the highest values for DPPH and ABTS (83.5% and 87%, respectively), while the contents of total phenolic and saponin were 0.651 ± 0.02 (mg Gallic acid Equiv./g, DW) and 0.797 ± 0.05 (mg Diosgenin Equiv./g, DW), respectively. Moreover, there were no significant changes for °Brix value, pH, acidity, and total flavonoids content compared to control. The sensory characteristics indicated bitterness with the increase in the concentration of GP. However, a non-significant difference was observed between the control and supplemented samples for color, viscosity, and overall preference. Therefore, the supplementation of GP to cream soup could exhibit health benefits and increase the demand for ginseng to promote public health as functional food material.
RESUMO
Sorbus commixta Hedl. (Rosaceae family) has a long history as a medicinal plant in East Asian countries. In this study, we evaluated the effect of S. commixta fruit extracts prepared with different ethanol concentrations on anti-melanoma activity, and the extraction yield of phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Using the partitioned fractions from the EtOH extract, we found that the butanol fraction (BF) possessed strong cytotoxic activity against SK-MEL-2 cells (human melanoma cells) but not against HDFa cells (human dermal fibroblast adult cells). Additionally, BF-induced cell death was mediated by the inhibition of the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular regulated kinase (MEK/ERK) signaling pathway, coupled with the upregulation of caspase-3 activity in SK-MEL-2 cells. Furthermore, HPLC analysis of polyphenolic compounds suggested that S. commixta fruits contained several active compounds including chlorogenic acid, rutin, protocatechuic acid, and hydroxybenzoic acid, all of which are known to possess anti-cancer activities. Although this study has been carried out by cell-based approach, these results suggest that S. commixta fruits contain promising anti-melanoma compounds.
RESUMO
This study investigated the thermal degradation characteristics of fructose. A 20% fructose solution was heated to 110-150°C for 1-5 hours. Chromaticity, pH, organic acid, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), fructose content, electron-donating ability (EDA) (as a percentage), and ascorbic acid (AA) equivalent antioxidant capacity (AEAC) of heated fructose solutions were evaluated. With increasing heating temperature and time, the L-value decreased, and the a- and b-values increased to 120°C for 4 hours and 2 hours, respectively, and then decreased thereafter; however, total color difference increased. The pH and fructose content decreased. Organic acids, such as formic acid, lactic acid, and levulinic acid, and HMF content increased with increasing heating temperature and time. Antioxidant activity increased with increasing heating temperature and time (no antioxidant activity in 20% fructose solution). The EDAs after heating at 130°C for 3 and 4 hours were 17.21% and 31.73%, respectively, and the highest antioxidant activity was 94.57% (150°C for 4 hours). The AEAC was 1.71 mg of AA eq/g before heating and 24.43 mg of AA eq/g after heating at 150°C for 4 hours. These results suggest that heat treatment may be a useful method for increasing the antioxidant activity of fluid foodstuffs such as fruit juices and fructose-containing foods.