Screening of the antioxidant and nutritional properties, phenolic contents and proteins of five durian cultivars.

The antioxidant activities of different durian cultivars at the same stage of ripening (Mon Thong, Chani, Kan Yao, Pung Manee and Kradum) were compared in order to choose the best as a supplement in the human diet. Total polyphenols (mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g fresh weight (FW)) and flavonoids (mg catechin equivalent (CE)/100 g FW) in Mon Thong (361.4+/-23.2 and 93.9+/-7.4) were significantly higher (P<0.05) than in Kradum (271.5+/-11.2 and 69.2+/-5.3) and Kan Yao (283.2+/-16.5 and 72.1+/-6.8). The free polyphenols and flavonoids showed lower results than the hydrolyzed ones. Anthocyanins (microg cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalent/100 g FW) and flavanols (microg CE/100 g FW) were significantly higher in Mon Thong (427.3+/-23.8 and 171.4+/-16.3) than in Kradum (320.2+/-12.1 and 128.6+/-9.7) and Kan Yao (335.3+/-14.1 and 134.4+/-11.7). Ultraviolet spectroscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography/diode array detection analyses showed that caffeic acid and quercetin were the dominant bioactive substances in Mon Thong cultivar. The antioxidant activity (microM trolox equivalent/100 g FW) of Mon Thong cultivar (260.8+/-20.2, 1,075.6+/-81.4 and 2,352.7+/-124.2) determined by ferric-reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP), cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) and 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) with Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assays was significantly higher (P<0.05) than in Kradum (197.4+/-8.9, 806.5+/-31.2 and 1,773.2+/-102.5) and in Kan Yao (204.7+/-9.7, 845.5+/-48.6 and 1,843.6+/-107.5). The correlation coefficients between polyphenols, flavonoids, flavanols and FRAP, CUPRAC and TEAC capacities were between 0.89 and 0.98. In extracted and separated by electrophoresis durian proteins, some differences were found in the sodium dodecyl sulfate-protein bands in the region of 16 and 68 kDa for Kradum, 45 kDa for Mon Thong and three bands for Kan Yao. Antioxidants and proteins can be used for characterization of the quality of durian cultivars. In conclusion, the bioactivity of durian cultivars Mon Thong, Chani and Pung Manee was high and the total polyphenols were the main contributors to the overall antioxidant capacity. The results of our investigation in vitro are comparable with other fruits that widely used in human diets. Therefore, Durian can be used as a supplement for nutritional and healthy purposes, especially Durian Mon Thong, Chani and Pung Manee.

Dietary supplements selected by young people exercising in fitness rooms in Kraków and environs.

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of the use of dietary supplements among the young people exercising in fitness rooms in Krak6w and environs. In this study, 81% of the population used some form of dietary supplement; nutritional supplements were used by 21% of women and 60% of men, and were used most frequently by young people 21-25 years of age. The most popular supplement s were creatine, (20%) and HMB-beta-hydroxy-betamethylbutyrate (19%). Only 14% of the respondents asked for the opinion of qualified personnel, such as doctors, pharmacists or dieticians.

The bioactivity of processed garlic (Allium sativum L.) as shown in vitro and in vivo studies on rats.

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is widely used as an obligatory part in many cooked dishes loosing during this process a certain part of its bioactivity. Antioxidant capacity measured by the ferric-reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) method and by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical assay was the highest in raw and in a short time processed garlic samples by cooking. 70 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 10 diet groups, each of seven. They were named Control, NPG, PG1, PG2, PG3, Chol, Chol/NPG, Chol/PG1, Chol/PG2 and Chol/PG3. The rats of the Control group were fed basal diet (BD), which included wheat starch, casein, soybean oil, cellulose, mineral and vitamin mixtures. To the BD of the nine other groups were added 25mg of lyophilized non processed garlic equivalent of 500 mg non processed garlic/kg body weight (NPG), the same quantity of processed garlic for 20, 40 and 60 min for PG1, PG2 and PG3, respectively, 1% of cholesterol (Chol), 1% of cholesterol and 25mg/kg body weight of lyophilized non processed garlic (Chol/NPG), 1% of cholesterol and the same quantity of processed garlic for 20, 40 and 60 min for Chol/PG1, Chol/PG2 and Chol/PG3, respectively. The dose of 500 mg (25mg of lyophilized garlic/kg body weight) was chosen as the most effective (Banerjee, S.K., Maulik, M., Mancahanda, S.C., Dinda, A.K., Gupta, S.K., Maulik, S.K., 2002. Dose-dependent induction of endogenous antioxidants in rat heart by chronic administration of garlic. Life Sciences 70, pp. 1509-1518). Plasma lipid profile and the total antioxidant capacity in rats significantly differed in diet groups with addition of garlic samples cooked for a long time. In summary, garlic cooked for a short time preserves a high bioactivity of non processed garlic. The diet supplemented with these samples and cholesterol improved lipid indices, decreased fibrinogen and increased antioxidant activity in plasma of rats. Therefore, for preservation of garlic bioactivity optimal regime has to be used.

Dose-dependent influence of commercial garlic (Allium sativum) on rats fed cholesterol-containing diet.

The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the dose-dependent influence of commercial garlic on rats fed cholesterol-containing diets. It was found that commercial garlic contains high concentrations of dietary fibers, microelements, and total polyphenols, and its total antioxidant capacity as determined by two independent assays [1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS)] was similar to that of the original garlic samples. Wistar rats (35) were randomly divided into five diet groups, named control, Chol, Garlic500, Garlic750, and Garlic1000. Control rats were fed basal diet (BD), which included wheat starch, casein, soybean oil, and vitamin and mineral mixtures. To the BD of the Chol group was added 1% of cholesterol. To the BD of the other three groups (Garlic500, Garlic750, and Garlic1000) were added 1% of cholesterol and commercial garlic equal to 500, 750, and 1000 mg of raw garlic per kilogram of animal weight. After 4 weeks of the experiment only in rats from the Garlic500 group were a significant hindering in the rise in plasma lipids and also a significant hindering in a decrease of plasma antioxidant activity registered. A significant decrease in plasma circulating fibrinogen and an increase in the clotting time were found in the same group of rats (P < 0.05 in both cases). The fibrinogenolytic effect of garlic diets was visualized by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In the fibrinogen fraction of Garlic500 the 66, 24, and 14 kDa protein bands were detected with weaker protein intensity than in the corresponding ones in the Garlic750 and Garlic1000 diet groups. In conclusion, the positive influences of commercial garlic on plasma lipids, proteins, antioxidant activity, and some indices of blood coagulation are dose-dependent. Therefore, commercial garlic (Elena, Zelazków, Poland) could be a valuable component of atherosclerosis-preventing diets only in optimal doses.

Some essential phytochemicals and the antioxidant potential in fresh and dried persimmon.

Fresh persimmon contains high quantities of bioactive compounds, but is only available in the autumn and winter months. The aim of this investigation was to compare fresh and dried persimmon in order to determine whether the latter could be a substitute for fresh fruit. It was found that the contents of dietary fibers and trace elements in fresh and equivalent quantities of dried fruits were comparable. The content of total polyphenols in fresh persimmon was higher than in dried fruit, but not significantly (P > 0.05). Also the antioxidant potential in fresh persimmon as determined by all three used tests was higher than in dried fruit, but not significantly (P > 0.05). The methanol extracts of fresh and dried persimmon using the ss-carotene-linoleate model system have shown 91% and 88% of antioxidant activity at 50?microl, respectively. Radical scavenging activity with the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method has shown 88% and 84% for the same extracts and the nitric oxide test showed similar results. The best correlation was found between polyphenols, ss-carotene, DPPH and nitric oxide values (R(2) ranges between 0.9535 and 0.9934). In conclusion, both fresh and dried persimmon possess high contents of bioactive compounds and have a high antioxidant potential. When fresh fruits are not available, proper dried persimmon can be successfully used.

Comparison of the bioactive compounds and antioxidant potentials of fresh and cooked Polish, Ukrainian, and Israeli garlic.

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is an essential part of Polish, Ukrainian, and Israeli cuisine. The aim of this investigation was to compare the changes in bioactive compounds, proteins, and antioxidant potentials in fresh Polish, Ukrainian, and Israeli garlic samples after subjection to cooking temperature. Dietary fiber and essential trace elements were comparable. The antioxidant potentials were determined by four scavenging methods using beta-carotene, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide (NO), and 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS(*)(+)) radical cation with K(2)S(2)O(8) or MnO(2) assays. Polyphenols, tocopherols, proteins, and antioxidant potentials were higher in Polish garlic, but not significantly (P > 0.05). The SDS- and native-PAGE electrophoretic patterns of all three fresh garlic samples were without significant differences. Most of the proteins were in the molecular mass range of 24-97 kDa, and the more intensive major bands were concentrated at 50 and 12 kDa. The 50 kDa protein nearly disappears and the intensity of the 12 kDa lectin bands slightly decreases during cooking. It was observed that the bioactive compounds, antioxidant potential, and proteins in garlic decrease significantly after 20 min of cooking at 100 degrees C (P < 0.05). In conclusion, (a) the bioactive compounds, electrophoretic patterns, and antioxidant potential of fresh Polish, Ukrainian, and Israeli garlic samples are comparable; (b) garlic samples subjected to 100 degrees C during 20 min preserve their bioactive compounds, antioxidant potential, and protein profile and are comparable with fresh garlic; and (c) fresh garlic should be added to dishes cooked at 100 degrees C in the last 20 min of the cooking process.

[Assessment of the quality of edible fats consumed by selected groups of students in Cracow]. / Ocena jakosci spozywanych tluszczów przez wybrane grupy karkowskich studentów.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to assess the quality of edible fats consumed by selected students from Kraków, Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The first group were students of year 4 of the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University, who during their course of study acquire knowledge of the most recent research concerning health risks and advantages of several types of fats. The second group were students of year 4 of the Philological Faculty of the Jagiellonian University (Institute of English Philology), whose course of study does not included these issues. The sample of group numbered 203 students (148 students of pharmacy, 55 students of English) and included both genders (156 women and 47 men). All students answered questions of original questionnaire containing questions on the quality and quantity of edible fats consumed, as well as criteria determining the selection of particular products. Respondents were also asked about their knowledge concerning the harmful effects of trans isomers of fatty acids on the human body. The study showed that among the students in Kraków butter prevails as bread spread, oils are dominant in frying, and olive oil prevails in salad making. The selection of the fat was correlated with gender, since men tended to select butter more frequently than women, both as bread spread and for frying. The knowledge concerning trans isomers of the unsaturated fatty acids was found to depend on the students' course of study. 68% of students of pharmacy were aware of the harmful effect of these isomers on the human body, while none of the students of English came across this problem.

[Pilot study of aluminum plasma level in healthy subjects in Poland]. / Badania pilotazowe poziomu glinu w osoczu osób zdrowych w Polsce.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to estimate mean aluminum concentration in the plasma of Polish healthy subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 24 healthy adult volunteers aged 25-65, both genders. The results of the analysis of AI in serum (or plasma) in 128 samples from 107 dialyzed patients assessed during routine checkup, were compared with the group of normal subjects. The AI determinations were performed by means of graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS). RESULTS: Mean AI concentration in the blood plasma of healthy subjects was 2.25 mcg/L (2.5-97.5 percentile range was 1.10-3.72 mcg/L), while for patients geometric mean was 9.9 mcg/L (2.5-97.5 percentile range was 1.7-124.3 mcg/L). CONCLUSION: The plasma AI level of studied group of healthy Polish subjects appeared to be within the low values range compared to that found in other countries.