Antioxidant activity, total phenolics and flavonoids contents: Should we ban in vitro screening methods?

Daniel Granato, Fereidoon Shahidi, Ronald Wrolstad, Paul Kilmartin, Laurence D. Melton, Francisco J. Hidalgo, Kazuo Miyashita, John van Camp, Cesarettin Alasalvar, Amin B. Ismail, Stephen Elmore, Gordon G. Birch, Dimitris Charalampopoulos, Sian B. Astley, Ronald Pegg, Peng Zhou, Paul Finglas

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

As many studies are exploring the association between ingestion of bioactive compounds and decreased risk of non-communicable diseases, the scientific community continues to show considerable interest in these compounds. In addition, as many non-nutrients with putative health benefits are reducing agents, hydrogen donors, singlet oxygen quenchers or metal chelators, measurement of antioxidant activity using in vitro assays has become very popular over recent decades. Measuring concentrations of total phenolics, flavonoids, and other compound (sub)classes using UV/Vis spectrophotometry offers a rapid chemical index, but chromatographic techniques are necessary to establish structure-activity. For bioactive purposes, in vivo models are required or, at the very least, methods that employ distinct mechanisms of action (i.e., single electron transfer, transition metal chelating ability, and hydrogen atom transfer). In this regard, better understanding and application of in vitro screening methods should help design of future research studies on ‘bioactive compounds’.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)471-475
Number of pages5
JournalFood Chemistry
Volume264
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 Oct 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Antioxidants
  • Bioavailability
  • Colorimetric methods
  • Folin-Ciocalteu
  • Functional properties
  • HPLC
  • In vivo studies

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Antioxidant activity, total phenolics and flavonoids contents: Should we ban in vitro screening methods?'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this