A atividade antioxidante (AOX) de vinhos é decorrente, dentre outros fatores, da presença de substâncias fenólicas, como as antocianinas que, além de contribuírem para a formação da cor, devido a sua capacidade redutora, são capazes de neutralizar moléculas de radicais-livres. No presente trabalho, 92 amostras de vinhos tintos da safra 2008/2009, provenientes de diversas regiões do país, agrupadas de acordo com a sua similaridade (UF e fisiografia), foram analisados quanto à cor, através de parâmetros de luz, saturação e tonalidade; à concentração de antocianinas totais (por espectrofotometria diferencial e por CLAE); à caracterização dos pigmentos (por CLAE); à concentração de polifenóis totais (IPT) (pelo método de Folin Ciocalteau’s); e à atividade antioxidante (por DPPH+), sendo que as duas últimas características foram avaliadas sob a forma de evolução temporal. Os resultados mostram que, em relação ao perfil evolutivo, pelo menos um dos grupos difere (p<0,05) nos tempos. A região Vale do Rio São Francisco (VSF) exibiu, tanto os mais elevados valores de IPT em todos os tempos de análise [(tzero=4.516; t25=3.516; t35=2.475; t45=2.027; t55=1.598) mg.L-1 GAE], quanto a mais alta AOX, nos quatro primeiros dos cinco momentos avaliados. A região Oeste do Paraná (OPR) apresentou os mais baixos resultados para ambos os parâmetros considerados em todos os tempos medidos, sendo que os valores de IPT corresponderam a 47, 52, 54, 58 e 63% e os valores de AOX a 49, 55, 57, 61 e 79% dos valores encontrados para VSF. No decorrer das 55 semanas avaliadas, as diferenças entre os grupos tende a diminuir. Em relação aos pigmentos, 12 padrões comerciais permitiram comparar os vinhos no que diz respeito as presença e a quantificação destes compostos. À exceção de dois, todos os vinhos analisados por CLAE confirmaram a malvidina-3-monoglicosídeo (Mv-3G), como o composto antociânico predominante. O Vale dos Vinhedos (Vvi) apresentou os maiores conteúdos, tanto do pigmento majoritário da uva (Mv-3G – 38,66 μ.L-1), quanto da cianidina-3-monoglicosídeo (Cn- 3G – 0,914 μ.L-1), composto antociânico mais relatado em alimentos. Correlações fortes e muito fortes foram observadas entre IPT e AOX e fortes entre antocianinas totais (expressas em Mv-3G por espectrofotometria diferencial) e Mv-3G (quantificada por CLAE). ANOVA mostrou que, em CLAE, não houve diferenças (p<0,1) entre as regiões, indicando que variações internas nos grupos, sobressaíram-se às evidenciadas pelas regiões, não sendo possível caracterizá-las conforme o tipo nem a concentração de antocianinas. / The antioxidant capacity (AOX) of wines is due, among other factors the phenolic substances, such as anthocyanins that, beyond to color contribution, present scavenging properties, having effect on radical oxygen species (ROS). In this study, 92 samples of 2008/2009 vintage Brazilian red wines, from dissimilar production areas, were grouped according to similarities (Federal State and physiographic attributes) and analyzed in terms of color, through light, saturation and hue parameters; in terms of total anthocyanin concentration (by pH-differential spectrophotometric methods and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)); in terms of pigment characterization (HPLC); in terms of total polyphenols concentration (IPT) (Folin Ciocalteau’s method); and in terms of its scavenging properties (DPPH+), being the last two attributes analyzed over time evolution profile. The results showed that for the evolution profile, at least one of the groups differed (p<0,05) in the evaluated times. The “Vale do Rio São Francisco” (VSF) region exhibited not only the most elevated values for IPT in all analyzed sampling [(tzero=4,516; t25=3,516; t35=2,475; t45=2,027; t55=1,598) mg.L-1 GAE], as the most AOX in the first four from the five evaluated moments. The “Oeste do Paraná” (OPR) presented the lowest results for both IPT and AOX parameters, in all measuring times, and the IPT values corresponded to 47, 52, 54, 58 e 63%, while the AOX values to 49, 55, 57, 61 e 79% from values found for VSF. Over the 55 weeks, the differences among groups tended to diminish. Considering the pigments, 12 commercial standards allowed to compare wines based on presence and concentration of these compounds. Except for two samples, all the HPLC-analyzed wines confirmed the malvidin-3-monoglucoside, as the anthocyanin most abounding in wines. The VVi exhibited the highest levels, even for the grape major pigment (Mv- 3G – 38.66 μ.L-1), as for cianidin-3-monoglucoside (Cn-3G – 0.914 μ.L-1), the most reported anthocyanin in food. Strong and very strong correlations were found among IPT and AOX, while total anthocyanins (in Mv-3G base, by pH-differential analysis) and Mv-3G concentration (by HPLC) exhibited strong linear associations. ANOVA showed that, in terms of chromatographic analysis, no differences (p<0,1) among regions were found, indicating that inside-groups variations were high enough to not allow the characterization according to qualitative and quantitative anthocyanin profile.

A atividade antioxidante (AOX) de vinhos é decorrente, dentre outros fatores, da presença de substâncias fenólicas, como as antocianinas que, além de contribuírem para a formação da cor, devido a sua capacidade redutora, são capazes de neutralizar moléculas de radicais-livres. No presente trabalho, 92 amostras de vinhos tintos da safra 2008/2009, provenientes de diversas regiões do país, agrupadas de acordo com a sua similaridade (UF e fisiografia), foram analisados quanto à cor, através de parâmetros de luz, saturação e tonalidade; à concentração de antocianinas totais (por espectrofotometria diferencial e por CLAE); à caracterização dos pigmentos (por CLAE); à concentração de polifenóis totais (IPT) (pelo método de Folin Ciocalteau’s); e à atividade antioxidante (por DPPH+), sendo que as duas últimas características foram avaliadas sob a forma de evolução temporal. Os resultados mostram que, em relação ao perfil evolutivo, pelo menos um dos grupos difere (p<0,05) nos tempos. A região Vale do Rio São Francisco (VSF) exibiu, tanto os mais elevados valores de IPT em todos os tempos de análise [(tzero=4.516; t25=3.516; t35=2.475; t45=2.027; t55=1.598) mg.L-1 GAE], quanto a mais alta AOX, nos quatro primeiros dos cinco momentos avaliados. A região Oeste do Paraná (OPR) apresentou os mais baixos resultados para ambos os parâmetros considerados em todos os tempos medidos, sendo que os valores de IPT corresponderam a 47, 52, 54, 58 e 63% e os valores de AOX a 49, 55, 57, 61 e 79% dos valores encontrados para VSF. No decorrer das 55 semanas avaliadas, as diferenças entre os grupos tende a diminuir. Em relação aos pigmentos, 12 padrões comerciais permitiram comparar os vinhos no que diz respeito as presença e a quantificação destes compostos. À exceção de dois, todos os vinhos analisados por CLAE confirmaram a malvidina-3-monoglicosídeo (Mv-3G), como o composto antociânico predominante. O Vale dos Vinhedos (Vvi) apresentou os maiores conteúdos, tanto do pigmento majoritário da uva (Mv-3G – 38,66 μ.L-1), quanto da cianidina-3-monoglicosídeo (Cn- 3G – 0,914 μ.L-1), composto antociânico mais relatado em alimentos. Correlações fortes e muito fortes foram observadas entre IPT e AOX e fortes entre antocianinas totais (expressas em Mv-3G por espectrofotometria diferencial) e Mv-3G (quantificada por CLAE). ANOVA mostrou que, em CLAE, não houve diferenças (p<0,1) entre as regiões, indicando que variações internas nos grupos, sobressaíram-se às evidenciadas pelas regiões, não sendo possível caracterizá-las conforme o tipo nem a concentração de antocianinas. / The antioxidant capacity (AOX) of wines is due, among other factors the phenolic substances, such as anthocyanins that, beyond to color contribution, present scavenging properties, having effect on radical oxygen species (ROS). In this study, 92 samples of 2008/2009 vintage Brazilian red wines, from dissimilar production areas, were grouped according to similarities (Federal State and physiographic attributes) and analyzed in terms of color, through light, saturation and hue parameters; in terms of total anthocyanin concentration (by pH-differential spectrophotometric methods and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)); in terms of pigment characterization (HPLC); in terms of total polyphenols concentration (IPT) (Folin Ciocalteau’s method); and in terms of its scavenging properties (DPPH+), being the last two attributes analyzed over time evolution profile. The results showed that for the evolution profile, at least one of the groups differed (p<0,05) in the evaluated times. The “Vale do Rio São Francisco” (VSF) region exhibited not only the most elevated values for IPT in all analyzed sampling [(tzero=4,516; t25=3,516; t35=2,475; t45=2,027; t55=1,598) mg.L-1 GAE], as the most AOX in the first four from the five evaluated moments. The “Oeste do Paraná” (OPR) presented the lowest results for both IPT and AOX parameters, in all measuring times, and the IPT values corresponded to 47, 52, 54, 58 e 63%, while the AOX values to 49, 55, 57, 61 e 79% from values found for VSF. Over the 55 weeks, the differences among groups tended to diminish. Considering the pigments, 12 commercial standards allowed to compare wines based on presence and concentration of these compounds. Except for two samples, all the HPLC-analyzed wines confirmed the malvidin-3-monoglucoside, as the anthocyanin most abounding in wines. The VVi exhibited the highest levels, even for the grape major pigment (Mv- 3G – 38.66 μ.L-1), as for cianidin-3-monoglucoside (Cn-3G – 0.914 μ.L-1), the most reported anthocyanin in food. Strong and very strong correlations were found among IPT and AOX, while total anthocyanins (in Mv-3G base, by pH-differential analysis) and Mv-3G concentration (by HPLC) exhibited strong linear associations. ANOVA showed that, in terms of chromatographic analysis, no differences (p<0,1) among regions were found, indicating that inside-groups variations were high enough to not allow the characterization according to qualitative and quantitative anthocyanin profile.

A atividade antioxidante (AOX) de vinhos é decorrente, dentre outros fatores, da presença de substâncias fenólicas, como as antocianinas que, além de contribuírem para a formação da cor, devido a sua capacidade redutora, são capazes de neutralizar moléculas de radicais-livres. No presente trabalho, 92 amostras de vinhos tintos da safra 2008/2009, provenientes de diversas regiões do país, agrupadas de acordo com a sua similaridade (UF e fisiografia), foram analisados quanto à cor, através de parâmetros de luz, saturação e tonalidade; à concentração de antocianinas totais (por espectrofotometria diferencial e por CLAE); à caracterização dos pigmentos (por CLAE); à concentração de polifenóis totais (IPT) (pelo método de Folin Ciocalteau’s); e à atividade antioxidante (por DPPH+), sendo que as duas últimas características foram avaliadas sob a forma de evolução temporal. Os resultados mostram que, em relação ao perfil evolutivo, pelo menos um dos grupos difere (p<0,05) nos tempos. A região Vale do Rio São Francisco (VSF) exibiu, tanto os mais elevados valores de IPT em todos os tempos de análise [(tzero=4.516; t25=3.516; t35=2.475; t45=2.027; t55=1.598) mg.L-1 GAE], quanto a mais alta AOX, nos quatro primeiros dos cinco momentos avaliados. A região Oeste do Paraná (OPR) apresentou os mais baixos resultados para ambos os parâmetros considerados em todos os tempos medidos, sendo que os valores de IPT corresponderam a 47, 52, 54, 58 e 63% e os valores de AOX a 49, 55, 57, 61 e 79% dos valores encontrados para VSF. No decorrer das 55 semanas avaliadas, as diferenças entre os grupos tende a diminuir. Em relação aos pigmentos, 12 padrões comerciais permitiram comparar os vinhos no que diz respeito as presença e a quantificação destes compostos. À exceção de dois, todos os vinhos analisados por CLAE confirmaram a malvidina-3-monoglicosídeo (Mv-3G), como o composto antociânico predominante. O Vale dos Vinhedos (Vvi) apresentou os maiores conteúdos, tanto do pigmento majoritário da uva (Mv-3G – 38,66 μ.L-1), quanto da cianidina-3-monoglicosídeo (Cn- 3G – 0,914 μ.L-1), composto antociânico mais relatado em alimentos. Correlações fortes e muito fortes foram observadas entre IPT e AOX e fortes entre antocianinas totais (expressas em Mv-3G por espectrofotometria diferencial) e Mv-3G (quantificada por CLAE). ANOVA mostrou que, em CLAE, não houve diferenças (p<0,1) entre as regiões, indicando que variações internas nos grupos, sobressaíram-se às evidenciadas pelas regiões, não sendo possível caracterizá-las conforme o tipo nem a concentração de antocianinas. / The antioxidant capacity (AOX) of wines is due, among other factors the phenolic substances, such as anthocyanins that, beyond to color contribution, present scavenging properties, having effect on radical oxygen species (ROS). In this study, 92 samples of 2008/2009 vintage Brazilian red wines, from dissimilar production areas, were grouped according to similarities (Federal State and physiographic attributes) and analyzed in terms of color, through light, saturation and hue parameters; in terms of total anthocyanin concentration (by pH-differential spectrophotometric methods and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)); in terms of pigment characterization (HPLC); in terms of total polyphenols concentration (IPT) (Folin Ciocalteau’s method); and in terms of its scavenging properties (DPPH+), being the last two attributes analyzed over time evolution profile. The results showed that for the evolution profile, at least one of the groups differed (p<0,05) in the evaluated times. The “Vale do Rio São Francisco” (VSF) region exhibited not only the most elevated values for IPT in all analyzed sampling [(tzero=4,516; t25=3,516; t35=2,475; t45=2,027; t55=1,598) mg.L-1 GAE], as the most AOX in the first four from the five evaluated moments. The “Oeste do Paraná” (OPR) presented the lowest results for both IPT and AOX parameters, in all measuring times, and the IPT values corresponded to 47, 52, 54, 58 e 63%, while the AOX values to 49, 55, 57, 61 e 79% from values found for VSF. Over the 55 weeks, the differences among groups tended to diminish. Considering the pigments, 12 commercial standards allowed to compare wines based on presence and concentration of these compounds. Except for two samples, all the HPLC-analyzed wines confirmed the malvidin-3-monoglucoside, as the anthocyanin most abounding in wines. The VVi exhibited the highest levels, even for the grape major pigment (Mv- 3G – 38.66 μ.L-1), as for cianidin-3-monoglucoside (Cn-3G – 0.914 μ.L-1), the most reported anthocyanin in food. Strong and very strong correlations were found among IPT and AOX, while total anthocyanins (in Mv-3G base, by pH-differential analysis) and Mv-3G concentration (by HPLC) exhibited strong linear associations. ANOVA showed that, in terms of chromatographic analysis, no differences (p<0,1) among regions were found, indicating that inside-groups variations were high enough to not allow the characterization according to qualitative and quantitative anthocyanin profile.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an increasing global health concern, currently affecting an estimated 382 million individuals. There is no cure for T2DM and the search for new and improved treatments is ongoing. Presently, various pharmacological regimens are available to treat T2DM, but with varied success. Thousands of traditional herbs are also used to treat T2DM, but mainly without scientific validation. The aim of this study was to assess the polyphenolic content, antioxidant capacity, as well as in vitro toxicity and hypoglycaemic activity of a commercial ‘antidiabetic’ tea mixture (Diabetea) and its individual constituents: Achillea millefolium L. (Yarrow), Agathosma betulina Bartl. & Wendl. (Buchu), Salvia officinalis L. (Sage), Taraxacum officinalis L. (Dandelion), Thymus vulgaris L. (Thyme), Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (Fenugreek) and Urtica urens L. (Nettle). All herbs were tested as crude extracts, prepared using hot water (HW) and dichloromethane (DCM). The total polyphenolic content of each extract was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteau and aluminium trichloride methods. The non-cellular antioxidant activity was assessed using 2,2-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) methods. The cell-based antioxidant activity was measured against p-chloranil-induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Ea.hy926 cells, using the fluorescent dye, 2',7'-dichlorfluorescein-diacetate (DCFH-DA). The effect of each extract on the viability of C2C12 myotubes, Ea.hy926 endothelial cells and human lymphocytes (HL) was determined using sulforhodamine B (SRB). The in vitro hypoglycaemic activity was assessed against α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity using 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid (DNSA) and p-nitrophenyl-α-D-glucopyranoside (p-NPG), respectively. The type of inhibition exerted on these enzymes was determined using the Michaelis-Menten enzyme kinetics model, expressed as mixed, competitive, non-competitive and uncompetitive. Glucose uptake activity was measured using the 2-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl) amino]-2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-NBDG) fluorescent analogue. T. vulgaris and S. officinalis had the highest amount of polyphenols of all extracts tested. The HW extracts of T. vulgaris and S. officinalis showed significant (p < 0.05) cell-free antioxidant activity and cell-based radical scavenging activity. In addition, U. urens (HW) also limited cell-based ROS generation (p < 0.05). The Diabetea extracts presented with poor antioxidant activities, of which some had a pro-oxidant effect on Ea.hy926 cells. The positive linear relationship between antioxidant activity and polyphenolic content was shown to be dependent on the solvent type used. All of the DCM extracts had low antioxidant activity and polyphenolic content. None of the extracts produced < 50% cell density at the concentrations tested (1.3 - 20 μg/mℓ). In general, the DCM extracts showed a greater decrease in cell density than the HW extracts. The Ea.hy926 cells were the least affected by the extracts in terms of decreased cell density. The DCM extract of U. urens inhibited α-amylase activity in a mixed manner, which was comparable to the percentage inhibition exerted by the commercial drug, acarbose. Both the HW and DCM extracts of U. urens caused a significant (p < 0.05) increase in glucose uptake into C2C12 myotubes. The HW extract of T. vulgaris had a significant (p < 0.05) inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase (mixed). It also caused the uptake of glucose into C2C12 myotubes, which was significantly (p <0.05) more active than insulin. S. officinalis (DCM extract) also inhibited α-glucosidase activity (p < 0.05) in a mixed manner. Its HW extract displayed potent hypoglycaemic potential by causing glucose uptake into C2C12 myotubes, which was more significant (p < 0.05) than the activity of the positive control, insulin. The DCM extract of A. betulina was active against α-glucosidase (non-competitive), which was comparable to the activity of acarbose. Its HW extract also showed a significant (p < 0.05) glucose uptake activity. Furthermore, the DCM extracts of T. officinalis, A. millefolium, Diabetea and HW extracts of T. foenum-graecum and T. officinalis also caused a significant (p < 0.05) increase in glucose uptake into C2C12 myotubes. This study provides evidence for the antidiabetic potential of T. vulgaris and S. officianlis, in terms of antioxidant capacity and potential to prevent of post-prandial hyperglycaemia and alleviate hyperglycaemia by mimicking the action of insulin. In addition, the organic preparation of U. urens is also a potent α-amylase inhibitor. All herbs tested in this study exerted some form of in vitro antidiabetic activity. The Diabetea mixture, as a traditional preparation, did not have a significant antidiabetic capacity. In vitro observations from this study do not support the use of Diabetea as an antidiabetic preparation and reveal that some of the individual extracts prove more efficacious than the herb mixture. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / lk2014 / Pharmacology / MSc / Unrestricted

A incidência de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis como a diabetes tipo 2 e complicações cardiovasculares tem aumentado significativamente, e tem-se associado principalmente às mudanças nos hábitos alimentares tradicionais. O objetivo do presente estudo foi caracterizar diferentes cultivares de feijão, lupino e grãos da região dos Andes quanto a seus compostos fenólicos antioxidantes, capacidade antioxidante e potencial anti-hiperglicêmico e anti-hipertensivo in vitro. Dependendo do tipo de cultivar, o feijão é uma fonte promissora de taninos condensados, antocianinas, e flavonóis; enquanto que o lupino andino destacou-se pela presença de isoflavonas. Após o tratamento térmico, o feijão e lupino andino inibiram significativamente a enzima conversora da angiotensina I, relevante na prevenção da hipertensão, enquanto o milho roxo andino inibiu a &#945;-glicosidase, relevante na prevenção da hiperglicemia. Uma combinação apropriada de grãos tradicionais como parte da dieta poderia contribuir na modulação dos níveis de glicose e na prevenção das complicações relacionadas ao desequilíbrio óxido-redução. / Incidence of chronic diseases such as diabetes type 2 and related cardiovascular complications has increased significantly due mainly to current changes in traditional food dietary habits. The objective of this study was to characterize several bean and lupin cultivars along with grains from the Andean region in relation to their phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity and anti-diabetes and anti-hypertension potential using in vitro assays. Depending on the cultivar, beans are interesting sources of condensed tannins, anthocyanins and flavonols, whereas major phenolic compounds in Andean lupins were isoflavones. Following thermal treatment, selected beans and Andean lupins inhibited significantly the hypertension relevant angiotensin I-converting enzyme and among Andean grains, the purple corn inhibited the hyperglycemia relevant &#945;-glucosidase. A good combination of traditional grains as a part of the overall diet can contribute to effective dietary strategies for managing Type 2 diabetes and associated complications linked to unbalanced cellular redox status.

The unique floral biodiversity of Southern Africa would be reflected in the phenolic acid and flavonoid composition as well as the antioxidant activity of honeys from this region. In this exploratory investigation the total polyphenolic (TPC) and flavonoid (TFC) content, antioxidant activity as well as the cellular protective effects of a selection of honeys collected in this region was evaluated. Thirteen honey samples representative of the Western Cape (WCa, WCb and WCc), Eastern Cape (ECa, ECb and ECc), South East Mozambique (SEMa, SEMb and SEMc) and Agricultural: A-E (Eucalyptus) (A-E1 and A-E2), A-L (Litchi) and A-O (Orange) were collected. These samples were subjected to physicochemical analysis, the antioxidant content (TPC and TFC) and both enzymatic (catalase activity) and non-enzymatic activity, using the 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and oxygen radical antioxidant capacity (ORAC) assays was determined. From the DPPH, TEAC and ORAC data the Relative Antioxidant Capacity Index (RACI) was calculated. To determine whether high antioxidant activity translates into significant cellular protection, biological and cellular assays were undertaken. Using the pBR322 plasmid assay and the erythrocyte haemolysis assay the ability of honeys to protect against 2,2’-Azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) oxidative damage was evaluated. Further evaluation was undertaken in the SC-1 fibroblast cell line and the physiologically more relevant Caco-2 cell line. Toxicity and antioxidant effects were evaluated in the SC-1 cell line while antioxidant effects were only evaluated in the Caco-2 cell line. The long-term mitogenic and toxic effects were determined in the SC-1 cell line using the 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), Neutral Red (NR) and Crystal Violet (CV) assays. Short term, total- and intracellular antioxidant effects were determined in both cell lines using the dichlorofluorescein diacetate assay (DCFH-DA) assay. For all cellular experiments honey at concentrations of 0.01% and 1% were used. The physiochemical properties of the honeys evaluated fulfilled the regulatory standards compiled in the Codex Alimentarius (CODEX STAN12-1981 revision 2001). The results were as follows: SEMb had the highest TPC (167.96 mg GAE/100g) and TFC (51.60 mg CE/100g) while A-E2 had the highest catalase (38.48 µmol H2O2/g) activity. RACI revealed that WCb had the highest antioxidant activity.SEMc showed the highest protection of plasmid DNA against oxidative-induced strand breaks while SEMa showed the highest protection of erythrocytes against AAPH-induced haemolysis. Although correlations were found between antioxidant content and antioxidant activity assays, no correlation was found these parameters and the biological assays. For the long-term cytotoxicity assay, AAPH showed significant cytoxicity at 0.78mM, 1.56mM and 0.28mM when measured using the MTT, NR and CV assays, respectively. Some honeys 4/13 and 3/13 showed a mitogenic effect at a concentration of 0.01% and 1% respectively. Toxic effects, were observed for 1/13 and 8/13 at 0.01% and 1% honey respectively. Toxicity after 72 h exposure varied from 10-30% (CV assay). The same concetrations of honey was used to determine the short-term, 2h, antioxidant effects in both the SC-1 and Caco-2 cell lines. No oxidative effect was found for all honeys at these concentrations. For the DCFH-DA assay using the SC-1 cell line at 1%, 12/13 and 7/13 honeys showed total and intracellular protection respectively. The highest extracellular protection was for SEMa (% Protection (%P) = 95) and SEMb (%P = 93). Intracellular protection was the highest for SEMc (%P = 21) and A-L (%P = 20). At 0.01%, 7/13 and 8/13 honeys exhibited total and intracellular protection, respectively. For both the highest protection was found for SEMc (%P = 43, total and %P = 30, intracellular). For the Caco-2 cell line at 1%, 11/13 and 4/13 showed total and intracellular protection, respectively. Of these the highest extracellular protection was for SEMb (% Protection (%P) = 90). Intracellular protection was the highest for ECa (%P = 28) and WCc (%P = 26). At 0.01%, 4/13 and 8/13 honeys showed total and intracellular protection respectively. The highest extracellular protection was found for SEMc (%P = 62) and intracellular protection was ECc (%P = 28). The SC-1 cell line was found to be the most sensitive to the antioxidant effects of honey compared to the Caco-2 cell line. The honeys SEMa, SEMb and SEMc showed protection against oxidative damage in both cell lines. In conclusion, the antioxidant activity of honeys from Southern Africa is of a high quality. The WC, SEM and EC honeys showed the highest antioxidant effects and could provide health benefits against diseases associated with oxidative stress as indicated by these results. Copyright / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Anatomy / unrestricted

This thesis was focused on the possibility of secondary utilization of waste material from the wine industry to remove heavy metals from wastewater. In the theoretical part, there were discussed mainly the problems of heavy metals pollution including methods of their removal and ICP-OES detection. Furthermore, the waste material from the wine production and the possibilities of its further processing were discussed there. The primary objective of the experimental part was to characterize the material by IR analysis, optimization of adsorption conditions, isotherms construction and determination of maximum adsorption capacities of white, red and chemically modified marc for Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb. From the parameters influencing the adsorption efficiency, the adsorbent load was optimized (m/V ratio = 0,02); pH values found were 5 for Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and 3 for Cr and the contact time to reach the equilibrium was 15 minutes for Cd, Ni, Pb and 30 minutes for Cr and Cu. Maximum adsorption capacity for heavy metals were calculated from adsorption isotherms by applying the Langmuir model and found to be 18,829 7 mg/g for Cd; 10,664 7 mg/g for Ni; 35,602 0 mg/g for Pb (modified marc with 1M NaOH); 4,678 4 mg/g for Cu and 9,629 0 mg/g for Cr. The results of the work confirm the good adsorption potential of heavy metals on marc and the positive effect of chemical modification of natural biosorbents to improve their adsorption capacity.

The diploma thesis deals with the preparation of extract and concentrate of anthocyanin dyes from aronia moldings (Aronia melanocarpa). It also determines chemical properties important for human´s health, which are important also for further possible use of extract/concentrate as natural red food coloring. A series of extractions of dried and powdered aronia moldings was carried out in the experimental part of the thesis, aiming for the optimization the conditions of the extraction. Extracts were characterized by content of total anthocyans, content of total fenolic substances and total antioxidant activity. The best laboratory conditions for extraction were determined as follows: amount of moldings 12,5 g, composition of extraction agent ethanol:water 1:1, volume of extraction mixture 60 ml and time of the extraction 11 hours. Prepared extracts were concentrated on vacuum evaporator. It has been found that the temperature of the water bath in the vacuum evaporator can not exceed 40 °C. At higher temperatures there is significant degradation of anthocyanins. Furthemore, the content of individual anthocyanic dyes in extract and concentrate, from aronia moldings, was quantified by HPLC. The major anthocyanin, cyanidine-3-galactoside, was contained in the concentrate at 923,6 ± 8,5 mg·l-1, the other specified anthocyanin, minor cyanidine-3-glucoside, was present at a concentration of 53,5 ± 0,3 mg·l-1.

This diploma thesis deals with possibilities of using of aronia fruit pomace. The theoretical part is focused on botanical characteristics of aronia fruit, description of HPLC and anthocyanins dyes. The effects of various extraction condition on content of some polyphenolic compounds (gallic and vanilla acids, katechin and rutin) in aronia berry pomace are investigated in the experimental part. The mentioned compounds were detected with HPLC. Thanks to this method the content of carbohydrates was also detected. A quantity of anthocyanins dyes was determined by pH differential method.

In this paper we present the inhibitory effect of a variety of structurally modulated/modified polyphenolic compounds on purified F 1 or membrane bound F 1F o Escherichia coli ATP synthase. Structural modulation of polyphenols with two phenolic rings inhibited ATP synthase essentially completely; one or three ringed polyphenols individually or fused together inhibited partially. We found that the position of hydroxyl and nitro groups plays critical role in the degree of binding and inhibition of ATPase activity. The extended positioning of hydroxyl groups on imino diphenolic compounds diminished the inhibition and abridged position enhanced the inhibition potency. This was contrary to the effect by simple single ringed phenolic compounds where extended positioning of hydroxyl group was found to be effective for inhibition. Also, introduction of nitro group augmented the inhibition on molar scale in comparison to the inhibition by resveratrol but addition of phosphate group did not. Similarly, aromatic diol or triol with rigid or planar ring structure and no free rotation poorly inhibited the ATPase activity. The inhibition was identical in both F 1F o membrane preparations as well as in isolated purified F 1 and was reversible in all cases. Growth assays suggested that modulated compounds used in this study inhibited F 1-ATPase as well as ATP synthesis nearly equally.