Antioxidant Activity of Anthocyanins Extracted from Iraqi <i>Iresine herbstii</i> L. Flowers after Drying and Freezing

Abstract

Any processing method that maintains the level of compounds known for their health benefits will be of interest to the food industries. Therefore, the effects of vacuum drying, storage and freezing on the anthocyanin content and their antioxidant properties of Iresine herbstii L. flowers were investigated. The results showed that fresh samples (AEFF) had the highest amount of total anthosyanin content (8.31 ± 0.23 mg/g dry matter, expressed as cyaniding 3-glucoside equivalents), followed by 7.17 ± 0.12 mg/g solid content, 13.72% loss of vacuum dried samples (AEDF). In comparison with fresh samples, total anthocyanins in stored samples for two weeks at 5°C (AESF) and frozen samples during 1 (AEZF 1 ) and 3 months (AEZF 3 ) of storage were significantly (P < 0.01) reduced to 6.43 ± 0.24 mg/g solid content, 22.63% loss, 5.65 ± 0.33 mg/g solid content, 32.01% loss and 4.71 ± 0.51 mg/g solid content, 43.33% loss, respectively. Anthocyanins from I. herbstii L. flowers exhibited a dose-dependent (AEFF > AEDF > AESF > AEZF 1 > AEZF 3 , respectively) antioxidant activity against lipid peroxidation in a linoleic acid model system as well as strong reducing power and ferrous ion chelating abilities. Moreover, the anthocyanins extracted were found to show remarkable scavenging activity on superoxide anion radicals, hydroxyl radicals, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide radicals and deoxyribose degradation. Based on the results obtained, we can concluded that the Iresine herbstii L. flowers may be valuable natural antioxidant sources and are potentially applicable in both pharmacy and food industry