Abstract

Super foods and Super herbs: Antioxidant and Antifungal Activity

Anna Roidaki¹, Eleni Kollia^1*, Eirini Panagopoulou², Antonia Chiou², Theodoros Varzakas*³, Panagiota Markaki¹ and Charalampos Proestos¹

¹Laboratory of Food Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15784 Athens, Greece
²Laboratory of Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physical Chemistry of Foods, Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, Harokopio University, 70 El. Venizelou Ave., Kallithea 176 71, Athens, Greece
³Department of Food Technology, School of Agricultural Technology, Food Technology and Nutrition, Technological Educational Institute of Peloponnese, Antikalamos 24100, Kalamata, Greece.

Corresponding Author Email: harpro@chem.uoa.gr

Abstract:

Antioxidant activities and phenolic contents of selected superfoods and superherbs, cultivated in regions of Greece, were investigated so as to supply new information on their antioxidant function. The total antioxidant capacity was estimated by DPPH^• (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical) assay while total phenolics were measured using Folin–Ciocalteu method. Moreover this study was carried out with a supplementary objective to investigate the antifungal activities of the selected superfoods/superherbs extracts. The in vitro antifungal assays were done against the mycotoxigenic fungus Aspergillus parasiticus (aflatoxigenic) and Aspergillus carbonarius (ochratoxigenic). The results showed diversity on antioxidant profile of the studied extracts, although in most of the cases, the analysis revealed significant antioxidant capacity and high total phenolic content. Specifically, Photinia melanocarpa L., Hippophae rhamnoides L. leaves, Cistus incanus L., and Crataegus monogyna Jacq., possessed the highest antioxidant capacities and total phenolic contents among the others. Moreover, most of the tested extracts inhibited the growth of A.parasiticus and A.carbonarius while some of them stimulated the fungal growth, for both of the mycotoxigenic fungi. Tribulus terrestris and Cistus incanus proved to be more effective in reducing the growth of the tested fungi while Vaccinium corymbosum (blueberries) had stimulating effect on the fungi’s growth.