Comparison of Antioxidant Properties and Color of Selected Polish Honeys and Manuka Honey.

The antioxidant capacity and nutritional value of honey are significantly dependent on the content of phenolic compounds. The aim of this study was to compare the antioxidant properties and color of selected honeys and manuka honeys available in the Polish market. The results showed quantitative differences in phenolic acids, phenolic content and antioxidant activity between the honeys, indicating the influence of floral sources.

Verification of the Conditions for Determination of Antioxidant Activity by ABTS and DPPH Assays-A Practical Approach.

The ABTS and DPPH methods are among the most popular assays of antioxidant activity determination. Attempts to adapt them to different analytes and the search for the highest values of antioxidant activity has resulted in a large variety of assay conditions to be presented in the literature, including the way the measurement is made. This makes it difficult to relate the results to real oxidation systems, and often makes it impossible to compare them.

Influence of sucrose substitutes and agglomeration on volatile compounds in powdered cocoa beverages.

Volatile aromatic substances are the main factors contributing to the acceptability of cocoa products. The beneficial effect of fat-free ingredients of cocoa beans on human health has been scientifically proven. This encourages the consumption of cocoa products as well as further research on improving their processing technology.

Comparison of the antimicrobial activity of propolis extracts obtained by means of various extraction methods.

The objective of the study was to compare the antimicrobial activities of ethanolic propolis extracts obtained using different extraction methods. Extraction of propolis was carried out using 70% ethanol, propolis to ethanol ratios of 1:10 and 1:5, extraction times of 1 or 7 days, and shaking extraction (SE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and ultrasound-assisted shaking extraction (SUAE) methods. A total of 12 propolis extract lyophilizates were obtained.

Effect of mild roasting on Arabica and Robusta coffee beans contamination with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

The aim of this research was to establish the effect of mild roasting on coffee beans contamination level by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The materials investigated were green Arabica and Robusta coffee beans imported from different countries, as well as those already roasted. The experiment was carried out in a coffee-roasting plant, with the use of an electric coffee roaster, at the temperature of 125-135 °C for 25-26 min.

Dehulling and microwave pretreatment effects on the physicochemical composition and antioxidant capacity of virgin rapeseed oil.

The effect of microwave heating (800 W) of whole and dehulled rapeseeds for 2 to 8 min was investigated in order to evaluate the impact of dehulling in conjunction with microwaving on the nutritional value, antioxidant activity and physicochemical properties of virgin rapeseed oil. Control oil produced from dehulled seeds (DRO) had higher amounts of bioactive compounds, such as tocochromanols and phytosterols, lower content of pigments, and higher content of primary and secondary oxidation products compared to oil pressed from whole seeds (WRO). Oils pressed from seeds that had previously undergone thermal treatment demonstrated gradual increase of oxidative stability, radical scavenging activity, moreover microwave treatment to caused darkening of oil, assessed in terms of changes in L*a*b* coordinates as well as browning index.

Mechanical hulling and thermal pre-treatment effects on rapeseed oil antioxidant capacity and related lipophilic and hydrophilic bioactive compounds.

In this study, the effect of rapeseed mechanical hulling and thermal pre-treatment by microwaves (from 2 to 10 min with 2-min intervals, 800 W) and roasting (from 20 to 100 min with 20-min intervals, 165 °C) on the content of phytochemicals in the oil was investigated. Results showed that both pre-treatments applied differentiated the oils in terms of the content of bioactive compounds. In general, oils pressed from hulled and thermally pre-treated seeds contained higher content of tocopherols, PC-8 and phytosterols, while oils pressed from non-hulled and pre-processed seeds had significantly higher concentration of polyphenols.

Comparison of Fatty Acid Composition in Selected Dietary Supplements Containing Conjugated Linoleic Acid.

The market of pharmaceutical products is offering a wide range of supplements. Most of the consumers believe that these products will improve their state of health, but are they getting what they want and what they are paying for? The aim of the study was to evaluate the quality of selected dietary supplements containing conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). All supplements were available in the Warsaw markets and bought from pharmacies.

Double bond stereochemistry influences the susceptibility of short-chain isoprenoids and polyprenols to decomposition by thermo-oxidation.

Isoprenoid alcohols are common constituents of living cells. They are usually assigned a role in the adaptation of the cell to environmental stimuli, and this process might give rise to their oxidation by reactive oxygen species. Moreover, cellular isoprenoids may also undergo various chemical modifications resulting from the physico-chemical treatment of the tissues, e.