Ramorinoa girolae Speg (Fabaceae) Seeds, an Argentinean Supplementary Native Food: Nutritional Characterization and Antioxidant Activity.

LUNA, L.; PIGNI, N.B.; TORRAS CLAVERIA L; MONFERRÁN, M. V.; MAESTRI, D.M.; WUNDERLIN D.A.; FERESIN, G.E.; BASTIDA, J.; TAPIA, A.

JOURNAL OF FOOD COMPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE

Lugar: Roma; Año: 2013 vol. 31 p. 120 - 128

0889-1575

ABSTRACT Ramorinoa girolae Speg. seeds were characterized in terms of phenolic and flavonoid contents, multi-element profile, fatty acid composition and antioxidant activity. The MeOH extract of seeds showed a strong scavenging capacity against the DPPH free radical, inhibition of lipoperoxidation in erythrocytes and reducing power. A significant positive correlation between the total phenolics content and the antioxidant activity of extracts suggests that such compounds could be responsible for the antioxidant capacity of seeds. Five phenolic compounds were identified by liquid chromatography tandem electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) and high-resolution electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-TOF-MS): a coumaric acid derivative, two unknown compounds, epigallocatechin, catechin-O-glucoside, procyanidin B (catechin dimer) and catechin. The presence of catechins suggests health benefits. The seeds contained a high concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids (ca. 71 %), especially oleic acid and a low percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids (ca. 14%). K, Mg and Ca were major elements,. potassium, accounted for 59% of the element content. The main roles of these elements can be described as maintenance of pH, osmotic pressure, nerve conductance, muscle contraction, energy production and almost all other aspects of biological life. The observed phenolic content and antioxidant activity of seeds is an indication of their ability to offer potential health benefits, suggesting the probable use as a food supplement.