Guava fruit (Psidium guajava L.) as a new source of antioxidant dietary fiber

J Agric Food Chem. 2001 Nov;49(11):5489-93. doi: 10.1021/jf010147p.

Abstract

Guava (Psidium guajava L.) is a tropical fruit, widely consumed fresh and also processed (beverages, syrup, ice cream, and jams). Pulp and peel fractions were tested, and both showed high content of dietary fiber (48.55-49.42%) and extractable polyphenols (2.62-7.79%). The antioxidant activity of polyphenol compounds was studied, using three complementary methods: (i) free radical DPPH* scavenging, (ii) ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP), and (iii) inhibition of copper-catalyzed in vitro human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation. All fractions tested showed a remarkable antioxidant capacity, and this activity was correlated with the corresponding total phenolic content. A 1-g (dry matter) portion of peel contained DPPH* activity, FRAP activity, and inhibition of copper-induced in vitro LDL oxidation, equivalent to 43 mg, 116 mg, and 176 mg of Trolox, respectively. These results indicate that guava could be a suitable source of natural antioxidants. Peel and pulp could also be used to obtain antioxidant dietary fiber (AODF), a new item which combines in a single natural product the properties of dietary fiber and antioxidant compounds.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antioxidants / isolation & purification*
  • Copper / chemistry
  • Dietary Fiber*
  • Free Radical Scavengers / isolation & purification
  • Lipoproteins, LDL / chemistry
  • Myrtaceae / chemistry*
  • Oxidation-Reduction

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Dietary Fiber
  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • Lipoproteins, LDL
  • Copper