Effect of species variation and processing on phenolic composition and in vitro antioxidant activity of aqueous extracts of Cyclopia spp. (honeybush tea)

Date
2008
Authors
Joubert E.
Richards E.S.
Van Der Merwe J.D.
De Beer D.
Manley M.
Gelderblom W.C.A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The in vitro antioxidant activity of aqueous extracts prepared from four Cyclopia spp. (unfermented and fermented) was assessed using radical (ABTS •+) scavenging, ferric ion reduction, and inhibition of Fe 2+-induced microsomal lipid peroxidation as criteria. Aqueous extracts of unfermented and fermented Aspalathus linearis (rooibos) and Camellia sinensis teas (green, oolong, and black) were included as reference samples. Qualitative and quantitative differences in phenolic composition were demonstrated for the Cyclopia spp. The xanthone glycoside, a.k.a. mangiferin, was the major monomeric polyphenol present in the Cyclopia extracts, with both unfermented and fermented C. genistoides extracts containing the highest quantities. Fermentation resulted in a significant reduction in extract yields and their total polyphenol and individual polyphenol contents. Unfermented plant material should preferentially be used for preparation of extracts, as fermentation significantly (P < 0.05) lowered antioxidant activity of all species, except in the case of C. genistoides, where the ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation was not affected. Unfermented plant material also retained the highest concentration of mangiferin. Overall, extracts of unfermented Cyclopia were either of similar or lower antioxidant activity as compared to the other teas. However, the presence of high levels of mangiferin merits the use of Cyclopia spp. and, in particular, C. genistoides, as an alternative herbal tea and potential dietary supplement. © 2008 American Chemical Society.
Description
Keywords
antioxidant, flavonoid, mangiferin, phenol derivative, plant extract, polyphenols, unclassified drug, xanthone derivative, article, beverage, chemistry, comparative study, Cyclopia plant, food handling, methodology, plant, species difference, Antioxidants, Beverages, Cyclopia Plant, Flavonoids, Food Handling, Phenols, Plant Extracts, Plant Shoots, Species Specificity, Xanthones, Aspalathus, Aspalathus linearis, Camellia sinensis, Cyclopia genistoides
Citation
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
56
3