Anti-oxidative effect of turmeric on frying characteristics of soybean oil.

Curcumin, the active principle of turmeric, is known to act as an anti-oxidant, anti-mutagen and anti-carcinogen. This study aimed to find out the thermal and oxidative stability of soybean oil when potatoes marinated with turmeric were deep fried in the oil. Two sets of experiment were carried out. In one set, 1 L of oil was heated for 24 h (8 h daily for 3 consecutive days) and 200 g of potato chips without any marination were fried each time twice daily. Foods were fried in batches to replicate the commercial practice of the food industries. The temperature maintained during the whole experiment was at 180-190 °C i.e. at the frying temperature. About 50 ml of the oil sample was collected after every 4 h. In the second set, another 1 L of soybean oil was heated for 24 h in the similar manner and potato chips marinated with turmeric was fried twice daily. Oil samples were collected as before and comparative studies were done. The chemical parameters like acid value, peroxide value, content of 4-hydroxy-2-trans-nonenal (HNE) and fatty acid composition for all the oil samples of each set were determined. The comparative studies on peroxide value and content of HNE revealed that the antioxidant property of curcumin in turmeric helped in reducing the oxidation of the oil initially, but with increase in duration of time, the antioxidant potency got gradually reduced. The loss of unsaturated fatty acids were calculated from the fatty acid composition and it was found that loss of unsaturation in soybean oil where turmeric marinated potatoes were fried was 6.37 % while the controlled one showed 7.76 % loss after 24 h of heating. These results indicated higher thermal and oxidative stability of the soybean oil in presence of turmeric. However, the antioxidant effect gradually decreased with increase in duration of heating.

Studies on the fluidity of milk lipids of mothers from three socioeconomic groups of West Bengal, India.

This study evaluated the fluid character of human milk by determining the mean melting points (MMP) of fatty acids of milk lipid of Bengali mothers. Fatty acid methyl esters were analyzed by gas liquid chromatography. MMPs were calculated from the fatty acid concentration (% w/w) and their molar mass. Phospholipid content of samples was also determined. The MMPs of milk lipid of higher income group (n = 48), medium income group (n = 57) and lower income group (n = 112) mothers were found to be 31.33°C ± 0.61, 36.86°C ± 0.64 and 35.11°C ± 0.65, respectively, which showed a significant correlation with the fatty acid composition, with P < 0.0001, 0.003, 0.0001, respectively. The average MMP of milk lipid (34.43°C ± 0.63) of these three groups was below the core body temperature (37.4°C) of human beings, which perhaps helps in maintaining the milk fluidity as well as lipid digestion in breastfed infants.

Protective effect of secondary plant metabolites from Ipomoea aquatica Forsk. against carbofuran induced damages.

Plausible interactions between food contaminants and natural constituents in vivo and protective effect of polyphenols present in I. aquatica against carbofuran toxicity in Charles Foster rats were evaluated. Determinations based on antioxidant enzyme activities showed significant alterations in glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase in tissues (liver and brain) and plasma of pesticide treated group while polyphenolic extracts from I. aquatica (IAE) attenuated their activities when given alongwith carbofuran. IAE decreased enhanced lipid peroxidation levels in plasma and erythrocyte membrane and cholesterol levels in brain and plasma. IAE also minimized histopathological degenerative changes produced by carbofuran. While single cell gel electrophoresis showed that secondary metabolites in leafy vegetables produced a combinatorial effect with pesticide at cellular level, DNA fragmentation level in bone marrow cells showed a decline in the IAE treated rats. Food safety adversely affected by various chemical contaminants can be retained by plant polyphenols and secondary plant constituents that can be found together in bolus. Therefore, the present study gives an insight into the protective role of naturally found polyphenols against pesticide toxicity.

Comparative study of hypocholesterolemic and hypolipidemic effects of conjugated linolenic acid isomers against induced biochemical perturbations and aberration in erythrocyte membrane fluidity.

AIM OF STUDY: The purpose of the study was to evaluate hypolipidemic and hypocholesterolemic activities of conjugated linolenic acid (CLnA) isomers, present in bitter gourd and snake gourd seed, in terms of amelioration of plasma lipid profile, lipoprotein oxidation and erythrocyte membrane fluidity after oral administration. METHODS: Male albino rats were divided into six groups. Group 1 was control, and others were induced with oxidative stress by oral gavage of sodium arsenite (Sa). Group 2 was kept as treated control, and groups 3-6 were further treated with different oral doses of seed oils to maintaining definite concentration of CLnA isomers (0.5 and 1.0% of total lipid for each CLnA isomer). RESULTS: CLnA isomers normalized cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride contents in plasma and body weight of experimental rats and decreased cholesterol synthesis by reducing hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activity. Administration of Sa caused alteration in erythrocyte membrane fluidity due to increase in cholesterol and decrease in phospholipid content. Tissue cholesterol and lipid contents were also increased by Sa administration. These altered parameters were reversed by experimental oil administration. Protective effect of CLnA isomers on erythrocyte morphology was observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Fatty acid composition of erythrocyte membrane showed decrease in polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and increase in arachidonic acid content after Sa administration, which was normalized with the treatment of these oils. Supplementation of CLnA isomers restored erythrocyte membrane (EM) lipid peroxidation and lipoprotein oxidation. CONCLUSION: CLnA isomers, present in vegetable oils, showed potent hypolipidemic and hypocholesterolemic activities against biochemical perturbations.

Comparative evaluation of essential fatty acid composition of mothers' milk of some urban and suburban regions of West Bengal, India.

This study investigated the fatty acid composition of lipid present in breast milk of mothers residing in urban and suburban regions of West Bengal with special emphasis on n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which played a crucial role in the growth and development of neonates. Milk samples collected from 135 mothers of middle income group (average monthly income around 'Rs 10,000/-') were analysed by gas liquid chromatography after extraction and transmethylation to determine fatty acid composition. Information about the dietary intake of individual mothers was obtained through food frequency questionnaire. The fractions of n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids available in milk of urban mothers were 13.59 ± 0.94 and 3.65 ± 0.49, respectively, and in suburban mothers 12.74 ± 0.89 and 4.36 ± 0.39, respectively. The green leafy vegetables, fishes and vegetable oils were the major sources of essential fatty acids in the diet of the experimental groups of Bengali mothers. This study revealed a relationship between the alimentary habits of mothers and the concentration of essential fatty acids in breast milk of Bengali mothers.

Microencapsulation of conjugated linolenic acid-rich pomegranate seed oil by an emulsion method.

Controlled release of food ingredients and their protection from oxidation are the key functionality provided by microencapsulation. In the present study, pomegranate seed oil, rich in conjugated linolenic acid, was microencapsulated. As encapsulating agent, sodium alginate or trehalose was used. Calcium caseinate was used as the emulsifier. Performances of the two encapsulants were compared in respect of the rate of release of core material from the microcapsules and stability of microcapsules against harsh conditions. Microencapsulation was carried out by preparation of an emulsion containing calcium caseinate as the emulsion stabilizer and a water-soluble carbohydrate (either sodium alginate or trehalose) as the encapsulant. An oil-in-water emulsion was prepared with pomegranate seed oil as the inner core material. The emulsion was thereby freeze-dried and the dried product pulverized. External morphology of the microcapsules was studied under scanning electron microscope. Micrographs showed that both types of microcapsules had uneven surface morphology. Release rate of the microcapsules was studied using UV-spectrophotometer. Trehalose-based microcapsules showed higher release rate. On subjecting the microcapsules at 110 °C for specific time periods, it was observed that sodium alginate microcapsules retained their original properties. Hence, we can say that sodium alginate microcapsules are more heat resistant than trehalose microcapsules.

Moringa oleifera Lam. leaf extract prevents early liver injury and restores antioxidant status in mice fed with high-fat diet.

Consumption of high-fat diet (HFD) induces nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and may lead to multiple complications affecting human health. In the present study, effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MoLE) in alleviating HFD induced liver injury in mice has been reported. Liver histology and serum activity of hepatic marker enzymes i.e. aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) have been studied. Lipid peroxidation (LPO), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were also estimated using liver homogenate. Results of the study suggested that MoLE treatment protected HFD-induced liver damage as indicated by histopathology and liver enzyme activity compared to only-HFD fed group (P < 0.05). Interestingly, early signs of HFD-induced fatty liver were also alleviated by MoLE. Moreover, significant increase in endogenous antioxidant parameters and lower lipid peroxidation were found in liver of all MoLE treated groups. Results of the study indicated that MoLE has both preventive as also curative hepatoprotective activity.

Amelioration of ionizing radiation induced lipid peroxidation in mouse liver by Moringa oleifera Lam. leaf extract.

Protective effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MoLE) against radiation-induced lipid peroxidation has been investigated. Swiss albino mice, selected from an inbred colony, were administered with MoLE (300 mg/kg body wt) for 15 days before exposing to a single dose of 5 Gy 60Co-gamma radiation. After treatments, animals were necropsied at different post irradiation intervals (days 1, 7 and 15) and hepatic lipid peroxidation and reduced glutathione (GSH) contents were estimated to observe the relative changes due to irradiation and its possible amelioration by MoLE. It was observed that, MoLE treatment restored GSH in liver and prevented radiation induced augmentation in hepatic lipid peroxidation. Phytochemical analysis showed that MoLE possess various phytochemicals such as ascorbic acid, phenolics (catechin, epicatechin, ferulic acid, ellagic acid, myricetin) etc., which may play the key role in prevention of hepatic lipid peroxidation by scavenging radiation induced free radicals.

Methyl mercury in fish--a case study on various samples collected from Ganges river at West Bengal.

This study investigated the presence of total mercury (Hg) and organic mercury levels in the muscle of 19 common fresh water fish species captured from river Ganges, West Bengal, India. The total mercury level found in our study may not cause any toxic effect, but the methyl mercury (MeHg) level in some freshwater fish species was surprisingly very high and toxically unacceptable. The results of mercury analysis in various specimens indicated that some fish muscles tended to accumulate high levels of Hg, and approximately 50-84% of Hg was organic mercury. A strong positive correlation between mercury levels in muscle with food habit and fish length (age) was found. Wallago attu possessed the highest amount of organic mercury in their muscle tissues, and it was 0.93 ± 0.61 µg Hg/g of wet weight. Whereas in small-sized fishes Eutropiichthys murius, Puntius sarana, Cirrhinus mrigala, Mystus vittatus or Mystus gulio, and Tilapia mossambicus, it was below the detection limit. Contamination in Catla catla (0.32 ± 0.11), Anguilla bengalensis bengalensis (0.26 ± 0.07 µg Hg/g), Chitala chitala (0.25 ± 0.18), Rita rita (0.34 ± 0.14), and Ompok pabda (0.26 ± 0.04) was also above the 0.25 µg Hg/g of wet weight, the limit set by the PFA for the maximum level for consumption of fish exposed to MeHg. Though in Labeo rohita (0.12 ± 0.03), Mastacembelus armatus (0.17 ± 0.02), Pangasius pangasius (0.12 ± 0.16), Bagarius bagarius (0.12 ± 0.01), and Clupisoma garua (0.1 ± 0.01), concentration was below the recommended level, in Lates calcarifer (0.23 ± 0.0) and Mystus aor (0.23 ± 0.1), it was threatening. Interestingly, a low concentration of Hg was found in post-monsoon samples.

Ameliorative influence of sesame lignans on lipid profile and lipid peroxidation in induced diabetic rats.

Sesame lignans are working as antioxidants in various physiological functions. In the present study, the antioxidative effect of sesame lignans is examined in chemically induced diabetes mellitus (DM) in rats against lipid profile and lipid peroxidations. DM was induced in four groups of rats by injection of alloxan. The control groups (non-diabetic and diabetic) received a diet containing sunflower oil while the rest of the three experimental diabetic groups received a diet containing 0.25% alpha-tocopherol (D-Toc), 0.5% sesame lignan (D-SL), and 0.25% alpha-tocopherol+0.25% sesame lignan (D-Toc-SL) in sunflower oil for 4 weeks. Lipid profile and lipid peroxidations of plasma, erythrocyte membrane (EM), and liver tissues were measured. The total cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, plasma lipid peroxidation, and also LDL-peroxidation decreased, and HDL cholesterol increased significantly (P<0.05) in all the experimental groups as compared to the control diabetic sunflower oil group. The triacylglycerol (TAG) level in plasma decreased significantly in the D-SL and D-Toc-SL groups as compared to control diabetic group. Significant decrease in TAG level was observed in the D-SL group as compared to the D-Toc group. LDL peroxidation also decreased significantly in the D-Toc-SL group as compared to the D-Toc group. EM lipid peroxidation and liver lipid peroxidation decreased significantly in the D-Toc, D-SL, and D-Toc-SL groups as compared to the control diabetic group. Liver TAG level decreased more significantly in the D-SL and D-Toc-SL groups than in the control diabetic group. So, sesame lignans at 0.5% level and sesame lignan + alpha-tocopherol significantly ameliorate the alteration in lipid profile and the adverse free radical generative influence of DM induced by alloxan.

Preparation and characterization of papain-modified sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) protein isolates.

Defatted sesame meal ( approximately 40-50% protein content) is very important as a protein source for human consumption due to the presence of sulfur-containing amino acids, mainly methionine. Sesame protein isolate (SPI) is produced from dehulled, defatted sesame meal and used as a starting material to produce protein hydrolysate by papain. Protein solubility at different pH values, emulsifying properties in terms of emulsion activity index (EAI) and emulsion stability index (ESI), foaming properties in terms of foam capacity (FC) and foam stability (FS), and molecular weight distribution of the SPI hydrolysates were investigated. Within 10 min of hydrolysis, the maximum cleavage of peptide bonds occurred as observed from the degree of hydrolysis. Protein hydrolysates have better functional properties than the original SPI. Significant increase in protein solubility, EAI, and ESI were observed. The greatest increase in solubility was observed between pH 5.0 and 7.0. The molecular weight of the hydrolysates was also reduced significantly during hydrolysis. These improved functional properties of different protein hydrolysates would make them useful products, especially in the food, pharmaceutical, and related industries.

Quercetin alleviates inflammation after short-term treatment in high-fat-fed mice.

Consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD) promotes reactive oxygen species (ROS) which ultimately trigger inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MoLE) and its active component quercetin in preventing NF-κB-mediated inflammation raised by short-term HFD. Quercetin was found to be one of the major flavonoid components from HPLC of MoLE. Swiss mice were fed for 15 days on HFD, both with or without MoLE/quercetin. The antioxidant profile was estimated from liver homogenate. NF-κB and some relevant inflammatory markers were evaluated by immunoblotting, RT-PCR and ELISA. Significantly (P < 0.05) lower antioxidant profile and higher lipid peroxidation was found in HFD group compared to control (P < 0.05). Increased nuclear import of NF-κB and elevated expressions of pro-inflammatory markers were further manifestations in the HFD group. All these changes were reversed in the MoLE/quercetin-treated groups with significant improvement of antioxidant activity compared to the HFD group. MoLE was found to be rich in polyphenols and both MoLE and quercetin showed potent free radical and hydroxyl radical quenching activity. Thus, the present study concluded that short-term treatment with MoLE and its constituent quercetin prevent HFD-mediated inflammation in mice.

Oxalis corniculata (Oxalidaceae) leaf extract exerts in vitro antimicrobial and in vivo anticolonizing activities against Shigella dysenteriae 1 (NT4907) and Shigella flexneri 2a (2457T) in induced diarrhea in suckling mice.

In this study, the extract of a green leafy vegetable Oxalis corniculata (Oxalidaceae) was evaluated for its in vitro antibacterial and in vivo anti colonizing effect against common intestinal pathogenic bacteria. Methanolic extract (80%) of Oxalis corniculata (Oxalidaceae) leaf contained a polyphenol content of 910 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram of dry weight and the yield was 8%. The flavonoid content was 2.353 g quercetin equivalent per 100 g of the extract. In vitro studies indicated that the extract inhibited numerous pathogenic bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25922), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25923), Shigella dysenteriae 1 (NT4907), Shigella flexneri 2a (2457T), Shigella boydii 4 (BCH612), and Shigella sonnie phase I (IDH00968). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against E. coli (ATCC 25923) was minimal (0.08 mg/mL), whereas MIC against S. flexneri 2a (2457T) was higher (0.13 mg/mL). A suckling mouse model was developed which involved challenging the mice intragastrically with S. flexneri 2a (2457T) and S. dysenteriae 1 (NT4907) to study the anticolonization activity. It was revealed that the extract was more potent against S. dysenteriae 1 (NT4907) as compared to S. flexneri 2a (2457T). It was also found that simultaneous administration of extract along with bacterial inoculums promoted good anticolonization activity. Significant activity was observed even when treated after 3 h of bacterial inoculation.

Antimicrobial activity of Sesbania grandiflora flower polyphenol extracts on some pathogenic bacteria and growth stimulatory effect on the probiotic organism Lactobacillus acidophilus.

Polyphenolic extracts (PE) of edible flower of Sesbania grandiflora were tested to evaluate its antimicrobial effect against some common pathogenic bacteria and growth promoting property against probiotic organism Lactobacillus acidophilus. The antimicrobial activity of S. grandiflora flower PE against selected pathogens was evaluated using both in vitro and in situ methods. In vitro studies suggested that PE has inhibitory effect against Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella flexneri 2a, Salmonella Typhi, Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae. The gram-positive organism S. aureus was the most sensitive organism to PE and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was found to be 0.013 mg/mL where as the MIC of PE against V. cholerae was the highest (0.25 mg/mL). On the other hand PE showed growth promoting effect on the common probiotic bacterium L. acidophilus. The major finding was that S. grandiflora PE induced a significant biomass increase of L. acidophilus grown in liquid culture media. PE showed reduction of S. aureus growth in food (fish) during storage at 10°C. High performance liquid chromatography analysis showed that rutin, a major flavonoid of the PE diminished in the culture medium MRS broth with the growth of L. acidophilus.

Development of karanja oil based offset printing ink in comparison with linseed oil.

The conventional offset lithographic printing ink is mainly based on linseed oil. But in recent years, due to stiff competition from synthetic substitutes mainly from petroleum products, the crop production shrinks down to an unsustainable level, which increases the price of linseed oil. Though soyabean oil has replaced a major portion of linseed oil, it is also necessary to develop alternate cost effective vegetable oils for printing ink industry. The present study aims to evaluate the performance of karanja oil (Pongamia glabra) as an alternative of linseed oil in the formulation of offset printing ink because karanja oil is easily available in rural India. Physical properties of raw karanja oil are measured and compared with that of alkali refined linseed oil. Rosin modified phenolic resin based varnishes were made with linseed oil as well as with karanja oil and their properties are compared. Sheetfed offset inks of process colour yellow and cyan is chosen to evaluate the effect of karanja oil in ink properties. In conclusion, karanja oil can be accepted as an alternate vegetable oil source with its noticeable effect on print and post print properties with slower drying time on paper. However, the colour and odour of the oil will restrict its usage on offset inks.

In vitro antioxidant activity of different cultivars of banana flower (Musa paradicicus L.) extracts available in India.

Six different cultivars of banana flowers (Musa paradicicus) (Kathali, Bichi, Shingapuri, Kacha, Champa, and Kalabou) were analyzed for the content of polyphenol expressed as gallic acid equivalent and flavonoid expressed as quercetein equivalent, and the in vitro total antioxidative activities of the flower extracts were compared with standard and expressed as trolox equivalent. The reducing power, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation (ABTS•(+)) scavenging activities, inhibition of lipid peroxidation in a linoleic acid emulsion system, and liposome peroxidation system were measured and compared with respective standard antioxidants. Iron-mediated Fenton reaction was carried out to evaluate the protective effect of the extract of banana flower (Kacha cultivar) against H(2)O(2)-induced DNA damage. The Kacha variety contains the maximum amount of polyphenol (11.94 ± 0.03 mg of gallic acid equivalent/g of dry weight) and flavonoid (0.174 ± 0.001 g of quercetin equivalent/g of polyphenol). It also has the highest total antioxidant capacity, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and ABTS•(+) radical scavenging activity with a least EC(50) value of 0.051 mg/mL. Hepatic cell damage in iron-mediated Fenton reaction caused by free radicals is reduced by the banana flower extract. On the basis of the results obtained, the banana flowers are found to be a potential source of natural antioxidants. This is the first report on the antioxidant properties of the extracts from banana flowers. The study suggests that the flowers of M. paradicicus that are found in India and consumed as vegetable can provide valuable functional ingredients that help in the prevention of oxidative stress.

Antihyperlipidemic effect of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) protein isolate in rats fed a normal and high cholesterol diet.

The dietary influence of sesame protein isolate (protein content 91.5%), produced from dehulled, defatted sesame meal, on blood and tissue lipid profile and lipid peroxidation has been assessed in normal and hypercholesterolemic rats. To evaluate their hypocholesterolemic and antioxidative activity in vivo, we fed 18% sesame protein isolate with or without 2% cholesterol in comparison with casein to rats for 28 d. We determined plasma total protein, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, triacylglycerol as well as susceptibility of plasma and erythrocyte membrane lipid to oxidation ex vivo. Liver tissue lipid, cholesterol, phospholipids, and lipid peroxidations were also determined. The total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels were significantly reduced in the sesame protein isolate and isolate containing cholesterol group than the corresponding control casein groups. HDL-cholesterol level was also increased in sesame protein isolate (41%) and protein isolate containing cholesterol group (38%) than the corresponding control casein and casein containing cholesterol groups. There was 49% and 64% lowering of plasma lipid peroxidation as well as 36% and 56% lowering of lipoprotein oxidation susceptibility (LOS) in the 2 experimental groups (sesame protein isolate and isolate containing cholesterol group) than the corresponding control (casein and casein containing cholesterol) groups. There was significant lowering of erythrocyte membrane lipid peroxidation (68% and 63% lowering in sesame protein isolate and isolate containing cholesterol groups) and liver lipid peroxidation (61% and 76% lowering in the 2 experimental groups than the corresponding control casein groups). Therefore, our results indicate that sesame protein isolate decreases cholesterol concentration in plasma, increases HDL-cholesterol, and also decreases plasma and erythrocyte membrane lipid peroxidation with or without cholesterol fed diet in rats.

Ameliorative effect of sesame lignans on nicotine toxicity in rats.

Nicotine causes oxidative and genotoxic damages in the tissues leading to several diseases. Any strategy through natural diet that prevents or slows the progression and severity of nicotine toxicity has a significant health impact. This work is designed to investigate natural antioxidants that play effective protective role against nicotine-induced toxicity. Experiments were conducted on male albino rats by injecting nicotine tartrate (3.5 mg/kg body wt./day for 15 days) subcutaneously and thereby supplementing sesame lignans (0.1 g/100g diet and 0.2 g/100g diet) orally to them. Significant (P<0.01) increase of total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, decrease of HDL-cholesterol, decrease in antioxidant enzymes and increase in concentration of lipid peroxidative product has been observed in plasma due to nicotine toxicity. Significant (P<0.01) decrease of total DNA contents and highly significant (P<0.001) DNA damage of liver tissue is also observed on nicotine treatment. Sesame lignans minimizes the above mentioned effects. The nicotine-induced oxidative and genotoxic damages on the tissues can be effectively attenuated by sesame lignans supplemented diet.

Influence of polyphenolic extracts from Enydra fluctuans on oxidative stress induced by acephate in rats.

Acephate, an organophosphorus pesticide, has been proved to play an important role in tissue damage by inducing oxidative stress through the release of free radicals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of the plant phenolic compounds present in Enydra fluctuans against acephate toxicity based on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes profile in rats. An oral dose of acephate at 30 mg/kg of body weight has been given against the extracts containing 20mg of polyphenolic compounds (expressed as gallic acid equivalents)/kg body weight for 14 days. The results showed that under the influence of the pesticides, there was significant decrease in the activities of the antioxidant enzymes SOD, Catalase and Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and an increase in the non-enzymatic Glutathione, with respect to the normal and the plant extract gavaged groups. Also that there was an increase in the plasma and erythrocyte membrane lipid peroxidation levels in the pesticide treated group compared to the normal or the group treated with the plant extract. The present study thus gives an insight into the ill-effects of this organophosphate and the protective role of plant polyphenols in minimizing those effects.

Lutein content and in vitro antioxidant activity of different cultivars of Indian marigold flower ( Tagetes patula L.) extracts.

Three different cultivars of marigold flowers ( Tagetes patula L.) (marigold orange, marigold yellow, and marigold red) were analyzed for the lutein ester contents, and the in vitro antioxidative activities of the flower extracts were compared. The total antioxidant capacity, reducing power, hydroxyl, DPPH, and ABTS(*+) radical scavenging activities, iron chelation capacity, and inhibition of lipid peroxidation in a linoleic acid emulsion system were measured. Iron-mediated Fenton reaction was carried out to evaluate the protective effect of leutin against DNA damage. The marigold orange (MGO) variety contains the maximum amount of lutein. It also had the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity and ABTS radical scavenging activity, with an EC(50) value of 0.344 mg/mL. It was also the most effective against lipid peroxidation and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities. The MGO extract has the maximum reducing power. Hepatic cell damage in iron-mediated Fenton reaction caused by free radicals was reduced by the marigold extracts. Marigold flowers of Indian variety can be effectively utilized to produce lutein ester, which can be used as a food supplement or as an accessible source of natural antioxidants.