Bananas are economically important fruits, but they are vulnerable to mechanical damage during harvesting and transport. This study examined the effects of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on the cell membrane integrity and membrane lipid metabolism of wounded banana fruits after harvest. The results showed that 10 and 50 μM MeJA treatments on mechanically wounded bananas significantly delayed ripening and senescence in comparison with the control. At the end of storage, MeJA-treated groups showed a significant reduction in electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde content, indicating that MeJA protected cell membrane integrity. MeJA also led to a significant decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzymes, including lipoxygenase, diacylglycerol kinase, and lipid phosphate phosphatase. Furthermore, MeJA reduced phospholipase (C and D), phosphatidic acid, and diacylglycerol levels, as well as slowed down the decrease in phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol contents. Compared to the control, MeJA significantly downregulated the expression of MaPLDγ, MaPLDα, and MaPLDζ. Therefore, MeJA treatment could be a reliable method to delay the senescence of harvested banana fruits subjected to mechanical wounding.

This study aimed to compare the effects of incorporating fermented feed into daily diets on the slaughter performance, meat quality, and flavor compounds of 120 domestic chickens over a 140-day period. A total of five groups (n = 24), including the control group (CK) of the Guangxi Partridge chickens received a standard base diet. The other four groups were provided with pellets that had been added with 10% fermented banana peel (Pe-10), 20% fermented banana peel (Pe-20), 10% fermented banana pulp residue (Pu-10), and 20% fermented banana pulp residue (Pu-20). The flavor compounds in the meat samples of the chickens in these groups were determined using the gas chromatographic method. The results demonstrated that the chickens in the Pe-10, Pe-20, Pu-10, and Pu-20 groups exhibited pectoral muscle percentages, thigh muscle percentages, and total fatty acid content of chest meat that were higher than those observed in the CK group. The moisture content, meat color, carcass weight, total net weight, and abdominal fat percentage of the meat samples in these experimental groups exhibited no notable differences. The flavor compounds in the meat samples of the chickens fed with the two concentrations of fermented banana peel and banana residue were found to be significantly different from those in the control group, with p-values less than 0.05. As the quantity of fermented banana peel incorporated into the daily ration was increased from 10% to 20%, a notable alteration in the flavor compounds present in the chicken samples was observed. The chickens that were provided with fermented banana peels and pulps in their diets exhibited superior slaughter performance and meat quality, particularly in the case of the Pu-10 group, in comparison to the control chickens.

为了对花生蛋白的加工贮藏提供参考,探究了多酚对过氧自由基氧化花生球蛋白的影响.通过2,2'-偶氮二异丁基脒二盐酸盐建立花生球蛋白氧化体系,采用不同浓度的阿魏酸、绿原酸、儿茶素对氧化体系进行干预,分析多酚对氧化花生球蛋白羰基、游离氨基、巯基、溶解度、浊度和内源荧光光谱的影响,并对各指标进行了相关性分析.结果表明:不同浓度的3种多酚干预后,花生球蛋白的羰基含量不同程度地降低,游离氨基、巯基含量上升,最大内源荧光波长发生红移,浊度增大,溶解度总体变化较小;相关性热图分析说明蛋白质的功能性与其氧化程度相关.综上,适量的多酚可抑制过氧自由基对花生球蛋白的氧化,且3种多酚对氧化体系的干预效果不同,其中绿原酸抑制花生球蛋白氧化的能力最好.

藜麦因其高营养、高生物活性而备受关注,我国许多地区早已开始了藜麦的规模化种植,但由于我国藜麦产业起步晚、研究不够深入以及加工应用的相对不足,造成藜麦产品在消费市场中仍相对空缺.为提高公众对藜麦的认识,帮助相关从业人员提高其加工水平,对藜麦的营养成分、生物活性及其加工利用现状等方面进行了概述,并简要展望了未来的研究方向和应用前景,旨在为我国藜麦加工产业的可持续发展提供新思路.

Betanin (BN) is a promising purple-red natural pigment, but its application is hindered by thermal instability. The complex plant protein (RP-SPI) constructed by rice protein (RP) and soy protein isolate (SPI) was used as raw material to investigate the thermal protection effect and protective mechanism of RP-SPI on BN. The results showed that RP-SPI significantly improved the thermal stability of BN, and the retention rate of BN increased from 5.63% to 48.08% when heated at 80 degrees C for 60 min. Subsequently, the fluorescence spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and molecular docking were utilized to investigate the interaction mechanism between RP-SPI and BN. The results indicated that the main interaction between RP-SPI and BN was hydrogen bond. The interaction changed the secondary structure and reduced surface hydrophobicity of the protein. Meanwhile, morphological observation showed that RP-SPI was a flake protein with a network structure, and a large amount of aggregation occurred after binding with BN, resulting in a significant increase in particle size. Taking together, the non-covalent interaction is the key to the thermal protection of RP-SPI on BN. Betanin bound to RP-SPI through hydrogen bonds and acted as a bridge connecting the surrounding proteins.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 2,2′-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced oxidation on the functional, structural properties and proteomic information of arachin. The results showed that moderate oxidation improved the water/oil holding capacity of proteins and increased the emulsifying stability, while excessive oxidation increased the carbonyl content, reduced the thiol content, altered the structure and thermal stability, and reduced most of the physicochemical properties. Through LC-QE-MS analysis, it was observed that oxidation leads to various modifications in arachin, including carbamylation, oxidation, and reduction, among others. In addition, 15 differentially expressed proteins were identified. Through gene ontology (GO) analysis, these proteins primarily affected the cellular and metabolic processes in the biological process category. Further Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) analysis revealed that the “proteasome; protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum (PPER)” pathway was the most significantly enriched signaling pathway during the oxidation process of arachin. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that AAPH-induced oxidation can alter the conformation and proteome of arachin, thereby affecting its corresponding functional properties. The findings of this study can potentially serve as a theoretical basis and foundational reference for the management of peanut processing and storage.

To clarify the effect of three polyphenols on oxidized arachin, a simulation system of hydroxyl free radical oxidation was established, and then the intervention of catechin（C）, chlorogenic acid（CA）, and myricetin（M） with different concentrations on indicators of oxidized arachin, such as carbonyl and free amino group, turbidity, ultraviolet-visible（UV-vis）, fluorescence spectrum, and secondary structure were analyzed. Results showed that all three polyphenols with different concentrations had certain inhibitory effects on hydroxyl radical oxidation of arachin, among them, the carbonyl content of oxidized arachin reduced was by 22.55% with the addition of 13.33 μmol/g C, and a redshift of the maximum wavelength of endogenous fluorescence was observed. The free amino group increased by 32.08% after the addition of 66.67 μmol/g C, and the random coil content diminished in the secondary structure. The turbidity of oxidized arachin reduced by 68.63% after the addition of M, while the α-helix content rosed in the secondary structure by the addition of CA, meanwhile, an increase in the maximal UV absorption was also observed. To sum up, the intervention of the three polyphenols could reduce or remission the oxidative damage of arachin caused by hydroxyl radical, and then affect its structure and properties, among which C showed the best oxidative inhibition. This study could provide a scientific basis for oxidation research and further processing and utilization of peanut protein.

[目的]探究香蕉茎秆汁液发酵产品的功效成分及抗氧化能力,为香蕉茎秆汁液的功能性产品开发利用提供理论支撑.[方法]以香蕉茎秆汁液为原料,添加不同菌剂(K1和开菲尔)进行发酵,分析不同香蕉茎秆汁液含量(100％、50％)发酵产品(乳酸饮料KF100和KF50、酒K100和K50)的功效成分(多酚、单宁、总黄酮)、抗氧化能力(DPPH自由基清除能力、抑制羟自由基能力、抗超氧阴离子自由基能力、金属螯合率)和亚硝酸盐含量的差异,并基于主成分分析法,对香蕉茎秆汁液发酵产品的抗氧化能力进行评价.[结果]香蕉茎秆汁液发酵产品的多酚和单宁含量均高于未发酵香蕉茎秆汁液的多酚(3.05 mg/g)和单宁(37.9 mg/kg)含量,总黄酮均未检出.不同香蕉茎秆汁液含量发酵产品相比,KF100的多酚和单宁含量分别较KF50高24.7％和10.3％,K100的多酚和单宁含量分别较K50高18.7％和32.2％.同香蕉茎秆汁液含量发酵产品相比,KF50和KF100的多酚含量分别较K50和K100低16.3％和12.0％,其单宁含量分别较K50和K100高87.5％和56.4％.香蕉茎秆汁液发酵酒的DPPH自由基清除能力、抑制羟自由基能力和抗超氧阴离子自由基能力强于发酵乳酸饮料,而KF100的金属螯合率最高.主成分分析结果显示,K50的抗氧化活性指标综合评价得分最高.此外,KF100的亚硝酸盐含量最高,达2.3μmol/L,其余3组的亚硝酸盐含量均低于0.5μmol/L.[结论]香蕉茎秆汁液发酵产品具有一定的自由基清除能力和较高的金属螯合作用,其中发酵酒K50抗氧化综合评价排名第1,该结果可为进一步开发香蕉茎秆汁液发酵保健产品提供参考.

该文对比分析干燥温度和切片厚度对柿子片干燥水分比、干燥速率及理化性质等的影响,结果表明,干燥温度越低,切片厚度越厚,干燥所需要的时间越长.厚度1.75 cm的柿子片所需干燥时间是厚度1.00 cm柿子片的1.5倍.45℃条件下柿子片干燥时长为21 h,是75℃条件下的2.33倍.VC在55℃条件下含量最高为694.30 mg/100 g,是75℃条件下的6.76倍.随着干燥温度升高,总酚含量呈现先升高再降低的趋势.干燥温度对柿子片可溶性单宁含量影响显著,柿子未经脱涩生产的柿子片存在涩味偏重的风险.干燥温度和切片厚度对柿子片硬度、咀嚼性和胶着性影响显著,结合感官评价得出干燥温度60℃切片厚度1.25 cm和1.50 cm的柿子片分值都在85分以上,可接受度高.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of 1-methylcyclopropylene (1-MCP) and abscisic acid (ABA) treatments on the postharvest tangerine variety Orah. The whole fruit was treated separately with 0.6 mu l/L 1-methylcyclopropylene and 20 mg/L abscisic acid. The fruit was subjected to texture analysis, whereas fruit peel was obtained for microstructure observation. Correlation and principal component analyses showed that 1-MCP treatment could maintain a good peel texture. ABA treatment accelerated fruit senescence and caused the deterioration of the textural properties of the fruit. The data showed that 1-MCP treatment maintained the integrity and compactness of the peel structure. The peel of the fruit treated with 1-methylcyclopropylene also had a uniform thickness after storing at ambient temperature for 20 days. The peel tissue of fruit treated with ABA was more prone to collapse and structural disorder. These findings suggested that 1-methylcyclopropylene treatment was an effective way to prevent the deterioration of Orah tangerines. Novelty impact statement This study compared the effect of 1-methylcyclopropylene (1-MCP) and abscisic acid (ABA) treatments on the postharvest tangerine variety Orah. The changes in texture and ultrastructure of the Orah tangerine during the postharvest storage were the first studied tangerine variety. 1-MCP maintained the texture characteristic and delayed softening of the Orah tangerine, whereas ABA treatment accelerated the fruit ripening and senescence.

This study aimed to preliminary investigate the phytochemistry, bioactivity, hypoglycemic potential, and mechanism of action of Bombax ceiba L. flower (BCF), a wild edible and food plant in China. By using methanol extraction and liquid-liquid extraction, the crude extract (CE) of BCF and its petroleum ether (PE), dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), n-butanol (n-BuOH), and aqueous (AQ) fractions were obtained, and their chemical components and biological activities were evaluated. Further high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was carried out to identify and quantify the active constituents of BFC and its five fractions, and the phytochemical composition of the best-performing fraction was then analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole-time-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF-MS). Finally, a network pharmacology strategy based on the chemical profile of this fraction was applied to speculate its main hypoglycemic mechanism. Results revealed the excellent biological activities of BCF, especially the EtOAc fraction. In addition to the highest total flavonoid content (TFC) (367.72 μg RE/mg E) and total phenolics content (TPC) (47.97 μg GAE/mg E), EtOAc showed the strongest DPPH⋅ scavenging ability (IC50 value = 29.56 μg/mL), ABTS⋅+ scavenging ability (IC50 value = 84.60 μg/mL), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) (889.62 μg FeSO4/mg E), which were stronger than the positive control BHT. EtOAc also exhibited the second-best α-glucosidase inhibitory capacity and second-best acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory capacity with the IC50 values of 2.85 and 3.27 mg/mL, respectively. Also, EtOAc inhibited HepG2, MCF-7, Raw264.7, and A549 cell with IC50 values of 1.08, 1.62, 0.77, and 0.87 mg/mL, which were the second or third strongest in all fractions. Additionally, HPLC analysis revealed significant differences in the compounds' abundance between different fractions. Among them, EtOAc had the most detected compounds and the highest content. According to the results of UPLC/Q-TOF-MS, 38 compounds were identified in EtOAc, including 24 phenolic acids and 6 flavonoids. Network pharmacological analysis further confirmed 41 potential targets of EtOAc in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and intracellular receptor signaling pathways, unsaturated fatty acid, and DNA transcription pathways were the most possible mechanisms. These findings suggested that BCF was worthwhile to be developed as an antioxidant and anti-diabetic food/drug.

以火龙果茎多糖为研究对象,研究了其结构特征和对护手霜特性的影响.采用水提醇沉法提取火龙果茎多糖,选择蒽酮-硫酸法测定多糖含量、高效液相色谱法分析单糖组成及硫酸-咔唑法测定糖醛酸含量,并评价火龙果茎多糖对护手霜特性(如抗氧化能力、保湿性能和流变学性质)的影响.火龙果茎多糖含量为(346.88±9.05)mg/g,主要是由甘露糖、鼠李糖、半乳糖醛酸、葡萄糖、木糖、半乳糖和阿拉伯糖组成,其中以半乳糖含量最高(70.89±0.38)mg/g,各单糖摩尔比为0.13:1.27:1.31:0.31:0.19:3.94:1.02;火龙果茎多糖中糖醛酸含量为38.76％±1.99％.在抗氧化能力和保湿性能试验中证实,火龙果茎多糖能有效增强护手霜的DPPH自由基清除能力和保湿性能;在流变学性质分析中,火龙果茎多糖的添加不会改变护手霜的稳定性.

[目的]比较不同加工方式对香蕉片感官品质、物理品质、营养品质和安全品质的影响,筛选出适合香蕉片的加工方式,为香蕉精深加工提供技术支持.[方法]以低温真空油炸、真空冷冻干燥、高温油炸、热风烘干和烘烤5种方式加工的香蕉片为原料,开展感官评价、物理特性与营养成分分析及污染物丙烯酰胺含量的测定;采用评分法进行感官评价,分光测色计、质构仪等测定物理特性,扫描电子显微镜观察微观结构,理化分析技术测定香蕉片营养成分含量,液相色谱技术检测丙烯酰胺含量.[结果]在5种不同加工方式制得的香蕉片中,低温真空油炸具有最高的感官评价,总分为87.00分,其次为真空冷冻干燥,感官评价总分为79.00分;真空冷冻干燥L*值最大,而低温真空油炸b*值最大;低温真空油炸和真空冷冻干燥具有适中的硬度和脆度,因其香蕉片口感酸甜适中,表现出良好的风味品质,且对营养成分保留的效果最好,其中蛋白质含量分别为3.05％和5.51％,维生素C(Vc)含量分别为33.61和30.14 mg/100 g,脂肪含量低至16.65％和14.75％;高温油炸方式中丙烯酰胺含量最高,为5614.00μg/kg,低温真空油炸和烘烤的香蕉片中含有较低的丙烯酰胺含量;扫描电镜结果显示低温真空油炸和真空冷冻干燥的微观结构更为饱满,孔隙多又大,赋予了口感更好的酥脆性.[结论]低温真空油炸和真空冷冻干燥方式制成的香蕉片具有较优的感官评价,并保留较多营养成分,其中低温真空油炸因预处理简便、油炸时间短等较好的工艺特性更适合企业大规模生产.

This study aimed to promote red pitaya fruit parts as alternate sources of nutraceuticals. The red pitaya of Chinese origin was determined for its in vitro efficacy, where the fruit extracts were evaluated based on the selected antioxidative properties, lipid-reducing capacity, and cytotoxicity. The betanin, total betacyanins, total anthocyanins, and DPPH radical scavenging activity of the red pitaya pulp and peel extracts were determined by spectrophotometric analyses. Cell culture assays were used to examine in vitro efficacy and cytotoxicity of the pitaya extracts. The result showed that red pitaya peel extract had a higher total betacyanins and total anthocyanins content than the pulp extract, but the peel extract had a lower DPPH radical scavenging effect than the pulp extract. The red pitaya extracts also had a protective effect in reducing oxidative stress, especially the peel extract. All fruit samples had a low anticancer potential except for betanin and anthocyanin standards. The protective effect of pitaya peel could be attributed to betacyanins and anthocyanins. Both pulp and peel extracts had a weak anticancer effect because these extracts contained polysaccharides and other phytochemicals that were not cytotoxic. As the peel extract of red pitaya was not cytotoxic, it is a potent source of betacyanins for reducing oxidative stress.

The objective of the research was to investigate the digestion and fecal fermentation characteristics of the flowers of Juglans regia (FJR), by using in vitro simulated digestion model (oral, gastric, and intestine) as well as colonic fermentation. As a result, the contents of most active substances and functional activities of FJR were decreased as the digestion proceeded, and showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing in the fecal fermentation phase. In the oral digestion phase, the total phenolic and total flavonoid contents were released most with the values of 11.43 and 9.41 μg/mg, respectively. While in the gastric digestion phase, the antioxidant abilities, α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory abilities were the weakest. By using high-performance liquid chromatography, 13 phenolic acids and 3 flavonoids were detected. Of these, the highest number of identified compounds were found in the undigested and the oral digestion stages, which were mainly salicylic acid, epicatechin, 3,5-dihydroxybenoic acid, vanillic acid, and protocatechuic acid. However, great losses were observed during the gastric and intestinal digestion stages, only epicatechin, salicylic acid, and protocatechuic acid were found. Surprisingly, fecal fermentation released more abundant phenolic substances compared to gastric and intestinal digestion. Additionally, FJR reduced the pH values in the colonic fermentation system, significantly promoted the production of short-chain fatty acids, and regulated the microbe community structure by improving the community richness of beneficial microbiota. This indicated that FJR had the benefit to improve the microorganismal environment in the intestine. Further Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis revealed that FJR could suppress the metabolic pathways related to diseases, such as infectious diseases, metabolic diseases and neurodegenerative diseases. In conclusion, although the bioactivities of FJR decreased significantly after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and fecal fermentation, it still maintained certain antioxidant and hypoglycemic ability in vitro. This study described the detailed changes in the active compounds and bioactivities of FJR during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and fecal fermentation, and its effects on microbiota composition and SCFAs levels in feces. Our results revealed the potential health benefits of FJR, and could provide a reference for its further research and development.

为研究多酚对核桃蛋白结构及加工特性的影响,采用阿魏酸、白藜芦醇、橙皮素、儿茶素、槲皮素、姜黄素、没食子酸、杨梅素分别与核桃蛋白复合,分析了8种多酚与核桃蛋白互作的紫外可见和荧光光谱,并研究了多酚对核桃蛋白的溶解性、持水性、吸油性、泡沫性能和变性温度的影响.结果表明,8种多酚与核桃蛋白形成了新的复合物,其对核桃蛋白的荧光猝灭作用以静态猝灭为主,主要作用力以氢键为主,疏水相互作用为辅.8种多酚均降低了核桃蛋白的溶解性和持水性,其中槲皮素对核桃蛋白溶解性的降幅最大,阿魏酸对持水性的降幅最大;除儿茶素、橙皮素、槲皮素外,其他多酚对核桃蛋白的吸油性影响不大;大部分多酚对核桃蛋白的起泡性和起泡稳定性有提高作用.与8种多酚复合后,核桃蛋白的热稳定性均得以提高.总体来看,姜黄素、橙皮素、杨梅素对核桃蛋白的加工性质和热性能影响较大,而儿茶素影响较小.综上,该研究初步探讨了8种多酚对核桃蛋白结构和性质的影响,可为多酚在核桃蛋白制品中的应用提供借鉴.

In order to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of the new variety GC30 processed bananas, develop their functional products and broaden the banana industry chain, five representative banana varieties including GC02 Tianbaogao bananas, GC07 chicken bananas, GC09 powder bananas, GC25 big bananas and GC30 processed bananas were used to study. Specifically, this paper was to analyze the total phenol content and antioxidant capacities of banana peel, pulp and fruit with different varieties and maturity, as well as to statistically analyze antioxidant capacities of different banana varieties and maturity using principal component analysis. The results showed that banana peel had the highest phenol content (P<0.01), and the phenol content of banana peel, pulp and fruit at grade-7 maturity were not significantly different from that at grade-1 maturity. However, the phenol content in banana peel of different varieties was significantly different (P<0.05). In particular, GC30 banana peel at grade-7 maturity had the highest phenol content compared with the other banana varieties. Additionally, the DPPH, superoxide anion and hydroxyl free radical scavenging activities had no significantly differences among banana peel, fruit and pulp (P>0.05). The scavenging activities on DPPH, superoxide anion and hydroxyl free radicals of banana peel, pulp and fruit at grade-7 maturity was significantly higher than that at grade-1 maturity (P<0.01). The metal chelation rate of banana peel was significantly higher than that of banana fruit and pulp (P<0.01), while there was no significant effect on the metal chelation rate of banana peel, pulp and fruit between variety and maturity (P>0.05). Moreover, the antioxidant activities of banana fruit, pulp and peel with different varieties at grade-7 maturity were better than those of fruit, pulp and peel at grade-1 maturity. The GC30 banana peel at grade-7 maturity had the strongest antioxidant properties in the comprehensive evaluation of antioxidants. The findings of this research can provide a theoretical basis for the breeding, processing and application of banana varieties, and promote the commercial value of banana.

In this paper, the effects of three kinds of microwave (MVD, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 min) and hot air (HAD) drying at 60 ℃ on the drying characteristics and quality of jasmine were compared and analyzed. The results showed that in microwave drying stage, the water content of jasmine decreased rapidly, which accelerated the moisture decline in jasmine in hot air drying stage. The water-soluble extract, hydroxyl radical inhibitory ability, total amino acid and essential amino acid content of jasmine flower dried by combined microwave and hot air drying were higher than those of HAD group. The color and peak area of total volatile components, benzyl alcohol and α-fendene and of jasmine flowers in MVD2.0+HAD and MVD2.5+HAD groups were higher than those in HAD, which indicated that the typical fragrance of jasmine dried by MVD1.5+HAD and MVD2.0+HAD could be better retained. The difference of volatile components of jasmine dried by combined microwave and hot air drying could be distinguished by LDA analysis in electronic nose. In conclusion, jasmine dried by MVD2.0+HAD had the best quality.

In order to study the interaction between betanin and whey protein isolate (WPI) and the effect of whey protein isolate on the thermal stability of betanin, WPI-Betanin complex was constructed by self-assembly method. UV-vis spectroscopy was used to verify the formation of complex. The mechanism of complex formation and the changes of protein structure were investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy and circular dichroism, and the complex was visualized by molecular simulation technology. The results showed that betanin and whey protein isolate formed a complex mainly through van der Waals force and hydrogen bond, and the number of binding sites was about 1. The formation of the complex resulted in increased turbidity and decreased surface hydrophobicity of the protein, and the quenching mechanism was static, with a quenching constant of 1.78×103 L/mol at room temperature. The interaction changed secondary structure contents and the microenvironment of tryptophan and tyrosine in whey protein isolate. Moreover, the thermal stability of betanin was improved by WPI. The retention rate of betanin increased from 6.17% to 27.26% after heating at 80 ℃ for 1 h. This study provides a theoretical basis for the application and development of functional protein pigment complex and the color protection of betanin.

In type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, hyperglycaemia speed up the production of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), leading to oxidative stress and various diabetic complications. In order to identify natural products with potential antioxidant and antiglycative properties, six herbal plants, namely Musa acuminata (flower buds), Bletilla striata (rhizomes), Amomum villosum (dried nuts), Moghania philippinensis (roots), Minettia speciosa (rhizomes), and Spatholobus suberectus (stems) were assessed for their antioxidant and antiglycative properties. Among all the selected samples, both water and ethanolic extracts of S. suberectus possessed the highest phenolic, flavonoid and triterpenoid contents, ranging from three to six-fold higher than other plant extracts. In consistent with its phytochemical content, S. suberectus also showed the highest antioxidant activities which are comparable, if not higher than the known antioxidants, butylated hydroxytoluene, gallic acid, rutin, quercetin and ursolic acid. Similarly, S. suberectus also displayed the highest antiglycative activities among the six herbal plants measured by two glycation assays using bovine serum albumin-glucose and bovine serum albumin-methylglyoxal as model systems. HPLC-QTa-MS/MS analysis identified 48 polyphenols and 76 terpenoids, from the water and ethanolic extracts of S. suberectus, where 12 polyphenols and 9 terpenoids are common in both extracts. The results also suggested that S. suberectus contains compounds such as quercetin, luteolin, apigenin and saponin derivatives, which were reported to exert high antioxidant and antiglycative properties. The high antioxidant and antiglycative properties suggest the great potential of S. suberectus in preventing the formation of AGEs and oxidative stress seen in type 2 diabetes.