Research Abstracts
Effect of gamma irradiation on total phenolic content yield and antioxidant capacity of almond skin extracts
Harrison, K., L.M. Were, 2007. Effect of gamma irradiation on total phenolic content yield and antioxidant capacity of almond skin extracts. Food Chem. 102:932-937.
Almond (Prunus amygdalus) skins are agricultural by-products that are a source of phenolic compounds. Phenolic compounds from gamma-irradiated almond skins were extracted with 40% ethanol. Total phenolic content was determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu (F–C) method. Almond skin extracts (ASE): soybean oil (1:4 v/v) mixtures containing 0.08% FeCl3 were prepared. Antioxidant activity was determined by conjugated dienes and trienes (CD and CT, respectively) measurements, peroxide value (PV), Trolox© equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and Photochemiluminescence (PCL). Phenolic content yield (p < 0.05) was higher in ASE irradiated at doses greater than 4 kGy (trial I) or 12.7 kGy (trial II) compared to the control. Increased antioxidant activity was observed in TEAC assay and PCL with lipid-soluble antioxidant capacity reagents in ASE irradiated above 4 kGy (trial I) and 12.7 kGy (trial II) compared to 0 kGy. Gamma irradiation of almond skins thus increased the yield of total phenolics content as well as enhanced antioxidant activity of extracts.