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Citrus as functional foods
Abstract
Recent studies have documented a number of health benefits associated with the consumption of citrus. These fruits are predominantly composed of water and have a very low energy density. However, they are some of the most important nutrient-dense foods available. In effect, citrus fruits contain a range of key nutrients such as vitamin C, folate, dietary fiber, minerals (potassium) and phytochemicals, which confer them the health-promoting properties. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the anti-oxidant capacity of foods. Vitamin C is a major contributor to the anti-oxidant capacity of citrus. However, the major contribution of citrus anti-oxidant activity comes from the combination of phytochemicals and from their synergistic action with vitamin C. The major phytochemicals in citrus fruits are the terpenes and phenolic compounds, which possess anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic activity. Carotenoids and limonoids are terpenes that are released in the processing of juices. Citrus is the main source of specific nutrients such as flavanones (hesperetin and naringenin, usually present as glycosides) and the carotenoid cryptoxanthin, which are not present in other fruits in significant quantities. Flavonoids also have a role in cardiovascular protection, inhibiting the formation of atheroma in many steps of its pathogenesis.
... Citrus fruits belong to the genus citrus and the family Rutaceae and are one of the most traded horticultural crops [1,2]. Citrus fruits have tremendous nutritional content and have potential demand in both the fresh and the processing markets [3]. ...
... The taxonomy of the genus citrus is not clear [1]. There are 16 and 144 species in the genus Citrus such as Swingle and Tanaka. ...
... karna Raf.), C. reshni, C. unshiu, Citrus (x paradisi) x trofilate, C. sinensis x poncirus trifoliate, C. depressa, etc., which are grown in orchards or fruit gardens [6,10]. Different citrus types have originated due to mutations occurring spontaneously, natural selection, and hybridizations, thus leading to genetic modifications in the cultivars [1]. ...
Citrus fruits are grown commercially throughout the world. They are widely consumed due to their nutrients, use in energy supplements, and numerous health benefits. There is significant interest among consumers about this naturally available source, rich in flavonoids and antioxidants. However, underutilized citrus varieties remain unexplored due to the lack of information about the pool of nutritive properties they confer. Ten underutilized citrus varieties were collected from Nokrek Biosphere Reserve, West Garo Hills, Meghalaya, India, identified by UNESCO as a Biosphere reserve, to study the diversity in terms of limonin, ascorbic acid, carotenoids, browning, flavonoids, total phenol, and antioxidant activity, the contents of which varied significantly among different citrus cultivars. The results indicated that Citron and Pomelo were good sources of ascorbic acid (29.50 and 45.09 mg/100 mL), and that Khasi papeda was found to contain lower limonin content (9.21 ppm). However, in terms of flavonoids, Khasi papeda and Pomelo were found to exhibit a higher naringin content (189.13 ppm and 32.15 ppm), whereas the hesperidin content was highest in Kachai lemon, Khasi papeda, and Chinotto, at 199.51 ppm, 148.04 ppm, and 135.88 ppm, respectively. Antioxidant activity was assessed by three antioxidant assays (ABTS+ (radical cation azino-bis [3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid]) (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP)). Khasi papeda (7.48 mM L−1 Trolox), Chinotto (7.48 mM L−1 Trolox), and Pomelo (7.48 mM L−1 Trolox) exhibited the highest reducing power with DPPH radical scavenging activity, and Khasi papeda (15.41 mg GAE L−1) possessed a higher phenolic content, whereas the antioxidant activity when assessed with ABTS and FRAP assays was highest among the underutilized species of Khasi papeda (4.84 mM L−1 Trolox, 1.93 mM L−1 Trolox) and Ada Jamir (4.96 mM L−1 Trolox, 2.03 mM L−1 Trolox), respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is among the very few papers presenting comprehensive data on the metabolic diversity of flavonoids and antioxidant potential to characterize the underutilized citrus species. This study also demonstrated that Khasi papeda, Pomelo, Chinotto, and Kachai lemon can serve as potential sources of functional components, bioactive compounds, and antioxidants, which can be explored for further application in the processing industry for nutritional security.
... Besides fibre and micronutrients, it contains phytochemicals such as flavonoid, carotenoids, glucarates, coumarins, terpenes, limonoids and furanocoumarins. These phytochemicals, particularly the furanocoumarins have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects (Codoñer-Franch and Valls-Bellés, 2010). They also inhibit cancer cells proliferation and repair damaged DNA that would otherwise lead to the development of tumours. ...
Background: Grapefruits are one of the nutritious and most commonly consumed fruits in United States, next to oranges. Conversely, limited consumption has been reported in India due to its sour taste and bitter flavour. So, the present investigation was undertaken to produce value-added products (chiller, squash, spread and peel candy) from different varieties (Red blush, Ruby Red, marsh Seedless) with an objective to enhance its sensory acceptability. Methods: The four cultivars of grapefruits were procured from citrus farm of PAU, Ludhiana. Half of the fresh fruits were washed thoroughly in distilled water, peeled, sectioned into small pieces and dried in hot air oven at ±55°C. The dried fruit was then ground into fine powder and stored in the air-tight containers (27°C) for nutritional analysis whereas the other half was processed manually to formulate the value-added products in the Food Lab of the same for its sensorial evaluation. Result: Out of four varieties; Red blush became most acceptable for chiller and spread, whereas Ruby Red and Marsh Seedless for squash and peel candy. Prior to product formulation, nutritional parameters of varieties were analysed. They reported high amount of potassium and crude fibre i.e.111-117mg and 1.27-1.40 g/100 g. Among formulated products, ascorbic acid and antioxidant potential was highest in chiller i.e. 28.89 mg/100 g and 75.82%. Quercetin Equivalent was 77.33 (highest) in peel candy.
... Citrus fruit has antioxidant, anti-mutagenic properties. Due to these phyto-nutritional properties citrus fruit is considered to have positive relationship with bone health, reduce risk of cardiovascular disease and builds-up strong immune system (Codoner-Franch and Valls-Belles, 2010). 'Kinnow' mandarin is one of the very famous cultivars of citrus known for its unique taste and quality. ...
Kinnow' mandarin (Citrus nobilis L.× Citrus deliciosa T .) is an important marketable fruit of the world. It is mainstay of citrus industry in Pakistan, having great export potential. But out of total production of the country only 10% of the produce meets the international quality standard for export. Pre-harvest fruit drop and poor fruit quality could be associated with various issues including the plant nutrition. Most of the farmers do not pay attention to the supply of micro nutrients which are already deficient in the soil. Furthermore, their mobility within plants is also a question. Zinc (Zn) is amongst those micronutrients which affect the quality and postharvest life of the fruit and its deficiency in Pakistani soils is already reported by many researchers. Therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate the influence of pre-harvest applications of zinc sulfate (ZnSO 4; 0, 0.4%, 0.6% or 0.8%) on pre-harvest fruit drop, yield and fruit quality of 'Kinnow' mandarin at harvest. The treatments were applied during the month of October i.e. 4 months prior to harvest. The applied Zn sprays had significant effect on yield and quality of the "Kinnow" fruit. Amongst different foliar applications of ZnSO 4 applied four months before harvest, 0.6% ZnSO 4 significantly reduced pre-harvest fruit drop (10.08%) as compared to untreated control trees (46.45%). Similarly, the maximum number of fruits harvested per tree (627), fruit weight (192.9 g), juice percentage (42.2%), total soluble solids (9.5 °Brix), ascorbic acid content (35.5 mg 100 g-1) and sugar contents (17.4) were also found significantly higher with 0.6% ZnSO 4 treatment as compared to rest of treatments and control. Foliar application of 0.6% ZnSO 4 also significantly improved total antioxidants (TAO) and total phenolic contents (TPC) in fruit. In conclusion, foliar spray of ZnSO 4 (0.6%) four months prior to harvest reduced pre-harvest fruit drop, increase yield with improved quality of 'Kinnow' mandarin fruit. A tangerina 'Kinnow' (Citrus nobilis L. × Citrus deliciosa T.) é uma importante fruta comercializável do mundo. É o esteio da indústria cítrica no Paquistão, com grande potencial de exportação. Mas, da produção total do país, apenas 10% da produção atendem o padrão internacional de qualidade para exportação. A queda da fruta antes da colheita e a baixa qualidade da fruta podem estar associadas a vários problemas, incluindo a nutrição da planta. A maioria dos agricultores não se preocupa com o fornecimento de micronutrientes que já são deficientes no solo. Além disso, sua mobilidade dentro das plantas também é uma questão. O zinco (Zn) está entre os micronutrientes que afetam a qualidade e a vida pós-colheita da fruta, e sua deficiência em solos paquistaneses já é relatada por diversos pesquisadores. Portanto, este estudo foi realizado para avaliar a influência da aplicação pré-colheita de sulfato de zinco (ZnSO 4 ; 0, 0,4%, 0,6% ou 0,8%) na queda dos frutos na pré-colheita, produtividade e qualidade dos frutos da tangerina 'Kinnow' em colheita. Os tratamentos foram aplicados durante o mês de outubro, ou seja, 4 meses antes da colheita. As pulverizações de Zn aplicadas tiveram efeito significativo no rendimento e na qualidade Efficiency of exogenous zinc sulfate application reduced fruit drop and improved antioxidant activity of 'Kinnow' mandarin fruit A eficiência da aplicação de sulfato de zinco exógeno reduziu a queda da fruta e melhorou a atividade antioxidante da tangerina 'Kinnow'
... Citrus fruit has antioxidant, anti-mutagenic properties. Due to these phyto-nutritional properties citrus fruit is considered to have positive relationship with bone health, reduce risk of cardiovascular disease and builds-up strong immune system (Codoner-Franch and Valls-Belles, 2010). 'Kinnow' mandarin is one of the very famous cultivars of citrus known for its unique taste and quality. ...
Kinnow' mandarin (Citrus nobilis L.× Citrus deliciosa T .) is an important marketable fruit of the world. It is mainstay of citrus industry in Pakistan, having great export potential. But out of total production of the country only 10% of the produce meets the international quality standard for export. Pre-harvest fruit drop and poor fruit quality could be associated with various issues including the plant nutrition. Most of the farmers do not pay attention to the supply of micro nutrients which are already deficient in the soil. Furthermore, their mobility within plants is also a question. Zinc (Zn) is amongst those micronutrients which affect the quality and postharvest life of the fruit and its deficiency in Pakistani soils is already reported by many researchers. Therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate the influence of pre-harvest applications of zinc sulfate (ZnSO 4; 0, 0.4%, 0.6% or 0.8%) on pre-harvest fruit drop, yield and fruit quality of 'Kinnow' mandarin at harvest. The treatments were applied during the month of October i.e. 4 months prior to harvest. The applied Zn sprays had significant effect on yield and quality of the "Kinnow" fruit. Amongst different foliar applications of ZnSO 4 applied four months before harvest, 0.6% ZnSO 4 significantly reduced pre-harvest fruit drop (10.08%) as compared to untreated control trees (46.45%). Similarly, the maximum number of fruits harvested per tree (627), fruit weight (192.9 g), juice percentage (42.2%), total soluble solids (9.5 °Brix), ascorbic acid content (35.5 mg 100 g-1) and sugar contents (17.4) were also found significantly higher with 0.6% ZnSO 4 treatment as compared to rest of treatments and control. Foliar application of 0.6% ZnSO 4 also significantly improved total antioxidants (TAO) and total phenolic contents (TPC) in fruit. In conclusion, foliar spray of ZnSO 4 (0.6%) four months prior to harvest reduced pre-harvest fruit drop, increase yield with improved quality of 'Kinnow' mandarin fruit. A tangerina 'Kinnow' (Citrus nobilis L. × Citrus deliciosa T.) é uma importante fruta comercializável do mundo. É o esteio da indústria cítrica no Paquistão, com grande potencial de exportação. Mas, da produção total do país, apenas 10% da produção atendem o padrão internacional de qualidade para exportação. A queda da fruta antes da colheita e a baixa qualidade da fruta podem estar associadas a vários problemas, incluindo a nutrição da planta. A maioria dos agricultores não se preocupa com o fornecimento de micronutrientes que já são deficientes no solo. Além disso, sua mobilidade dentro das plantas também é uma questão. O zinco (Zn) está entre os micronutrientes que afetam a qualidade e a vida pós-colheita da fruta, e sua deficiência em solos paquistaneses já é relatada por diversos pesquisadores. Portanto, este estudo foi realizado para avaliar a influência da aplicação pré-colheita de sulfato de zinco (ZnSO 4 ; 0, 0,4%, 0,6% ou 0,8%) na queda dos frutos na pré-colheita, produtividade e qualidade dos frutos da tangerina 'Kinnow' em colheita. Os tratamentos foram aplicados durante o mês de outubro, ou seja, 4 meses antes da colheita. As pulverizações de Zn aplicadas tiveram efeito significativo no rendimento e na qualidade Efficiency of exogenous zinc sulfate application reduced fruit drop and improved antioxidant activity of 'Kinnow' mandarin fruit A eficiência da aplicação de sulfato de zinco exógeno reduziu a queda da fruta e melhorou a atividade antioxidante da tangerina 'Kinnow'
Pruning and fertilization are factors that can determine the production and quality of citrus. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of pruning intensity and fertilizer doses of N (nitrogen), P (phosporus), and K (potassium) on citrus production and quality. The study was carried out in a citrus orchard in Central Java, Indonesia, over the course of two seasons, 2016-17 and 2017-18. The experiment was conducted as a two-factorial, completely randomized block design where the first factor was pruning intensity, namely 0, 5, 10, and 15 % of the total number of branches per tree while the second factor was doses of N, P, and K fertilizers, namely 0, 2, and 4 % of the weight of harvested citrus fruit in the previous season. The result showed that increasing doses of N, P, K fertilizers from 0 to 4 % increased fruit-set, harvested fruits, fruit size, content of vitamin C, sugar, and soluble solid. The highest fruit-set, weight of harvested fruits, and content of vitamin C were achieved by pruning intensity of 10 %.
Citrus fruit are important crops in many regions of the world and are valuable sources of carbohydrates, fibre and health-promoting compounds. Like other crops, production of these fruits is affected by a range of pests and pathogens that can affect the sustainable development of citriculture. The most devastating of these is huanglongbing (HLB), a bacterial disease caused by species of liberibacters, pathogens that are spread by insect vectors. Currently, there is no remedy for HLB, and management relies on the use of disease-free seedlings, the rouging of diseased trees, and pesticides to suppress populations of vectors. Our studies on HLB in Indonesia and Bhutan have shown that citrus grown at higher altitudes (above 1000–1200 m ASL) can remain free from the main vector of the disease, the psyllid Diaphorina citri, despite climatic conditions at these altitudes being favourable for the insect. Thus, sustainable production of citrus at these altitudes without the use of polluting agrochemicals may be possible. However, this would be dependent on the production and use of HLB-free propagation material, strict control on the movement of trees into these areas and the adoption of appropriate agronomic practices for the control of other pests and pathogens.
Adequate intake of fruits has been linked with the reduction in the risk of chronic diseases and maintenance of body weight. Fruits and Their Roles in Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods covers recent research related to the bioactive compounds present in a variety of fruits
There is vast epidemiological evidence for the beneficial effects that the consumption of citrus juices exerts on human health. These effects are attributed to their content in substances exhibiting free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities, mainly ascorbic acid, flavonoids, carotenoids and polyphenolic derivatives. This work describes an approximation to the reduction kinetics of the stable free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) by the free radical scavenging activity of juices from sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L.), clementine (Citrus reticulata Blanco) and satsuma (Citrus unshiu K. Marc), as well as the deduction of a kinetic equation to fit the experimental data. This equation contains two contributions. The first contribution accounts for the concentration of DPPH• reduced by the cumulative antiradical activity of those citrus juice components that are capable of fast hydrogen atom transfer (fast-kinetics), mainly ascorbic acid and some polyphenolic derivatives; the second accounts for the concentration of DPPH• reduced by the cumulative antiradical activity of those citrus juice components that are capable of slow hydrogen atom transfer (slow-kinetics), mainly flavanone-7-O-glycosides and some polyphenolic derivatives. This methodology thus permits the determination of the total antiradical activity of a citrus juice (expressed as molar equivalents of ascorbic acid), as well as the partial contributions of the cumulative antiradical activities (also expressed as molar equivalents of ascorbic acid) due to both fast-kinetics and slow-kinetics.
Nitrites are ubiquitous environmental contaminants present in drinking water and foods. Nitrosamines can be formed endogenously from nitrate and nitrite and secondary amines or may be present in food, tobacco smoke, and drinking water. The major goal of this work was to evaluate the cytotoxic, reactive oxygen species (ROS)-producing and genotoxic effects of nitrite and nitrosamines and the possible protection by ascorbic acid in HepG2 cells. It was found that nitrite, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), and N-nitrosomorpholine (NMOR) decreased cell viability, increased intracellular ROS production, and caused genotoxicity. Compared to untreated cells as determined by alkaline Comet assay, nitrite, NDMA, NDEA, and NMOR raised the tail intensity up to 1.18-, 3.79-, 4.24-, and 4.16-fold, respectively. Ascorbic acid (AA, 10 microM) increased cell viability and reduced ROS production significantly (p < 0.05). Additionally, AA treatment decreased the tail intensity caused by nitrite, NDMA, NDEA, and NMOR to 33.74%, 58.6%, 44.32%, and 43.97%, respectively. It can be concluded that ascorbic acid was able to reduce both tail intensity and tail moment in all of the nitrosamine treatments, particularly in NDMA. AA protected HepG2 cells against genotoxic effects caused by nitrosamines. This protection might be through different mechanisms, some of which are not still understood in depth. The future interest will be to understand which pathways are influenced by antioxidants, particularly by AA, and the outcomes of this prevention in other cell line types.
Hesperidin, a flavonoid obtained from citrus fruits, is known to have multiple biological activities and antimicrobial activities for human viruses; however, hesperidin has very low solubility in water and the target molecule of hesperidin for influenza virus remains unknown. A water-soluble derivative of hesperidin, glucosyl hesperidin (GH), which was synthesized by regioselective transglycosylation with cyclodextrin glucanotransferase, has been reported to have biological activities that are as or stronger than those of hesperidin. To determine the inhibitory effect of GH on influenza A virus (IAV) infection, Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells were treated with GH before, at the same time as, and after IAV inoculation. GH treatment before IAV inoculation had no effect on virus replication, whereas, treatment with GH at the same time as or after IAV inoculation induced distinct reduction in IAV replication. Inhibition analysis of GH against two surface glycoprotein spikes of IAV revealed that GH prevents IAV replication by inhibition of viral sialidase activity that is involved in the entry and release stages on IAV infection but not by receptor binding inhibition. GH had no cytotoxic effects on MDCK cells in a dose range of 0-25 mM. Our results provide useful information for the development of novel sialidase inhibitors for influenza prevention.
Animal studies suggest that administration of vitamin A to rats with experimental urinary tract infection decreases the frequency of renal scars (Kavukçu et al., BJU Int 83(9):1055-1059, 1999). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of vitamin A on the rate of permanent renal damage in children with acute pyelonephritis. Fifty children, median age of 24 months (range 2-144), with first-time pyelonephritis verified by an uptake defect on acute dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scan were included in the study and randomly allocated to the case or control groups. All were given intravenous ceftriaxone for 10 days followed by oral cephalexin for 3 months. Cases in addition were given a single intramuscular dose of vitamin A, 25,000 U for infants below 1 year of age and 50,000 U for older children. At the repeat DMSA scan after 3 months, five of 25 cases (20%) and 17 of 25 controls (68%) had abnormal findings (p = 0.001). In conclusion, administration of vitamin A was associated with a significantly lower rate of permanent renal damage.
Background and aims:
The increase in oxidative stress is the main factor in acceleration of atherosclerosis, leading to death in hemodialysis patients. Vitamin C is one of the most important antioxidants that inhibits lipid peroxidation and improves endothelial function. This study aims to assess the effects of vitamin C supplementation on lipid profiles as well as markers of lipid peroxidation among hemodialysis patients.
Materials and methods:
In this double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial, a total of 42 patients were randomly assigned to vitamin C (n=21) or placebo groups (n=21). Patients in the vitamin C group consumed 250 mg vitamin C and those in the placebo group were given placebo every other day for 12 weeks. Fasting blood samples were collected at baseline and at the end of the study to measure serum concentrations of lipid profiles, as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) and vitamin C.
Results:
After supplementation with vitamin C, serum vitamin C levels increased significantly in the vitamin C group as compared to baseline (p=0.033). There was also a significant difference in serum vitamin C levels between vitamin C and placebo groups (p=0.001). Serum MDA concentrations were marginally decreased in the vitamin C group after taking supplements (p=0.057). A significant difference was also seen in mean MDA changes between vitamin C and placebo groups (p=0.002). There was a significant difference in serum levels of total cholesterol (p=0.005), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) (p=0.012), and LDL-C/high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) ratio (p=0.018) between the two groups; however, serum triglyceride and HDL-C levels were not significantly different between groups.
Conclusion:
Every other day supplementation with 250 mg vitamin C for 12 weeks increases serum vitamin C, decreases MDA levels, and improves lipid profiles in hemodialysis patients.
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a major human pathogen and plays a central role in chronic gastritis and gastric cancer. Since the adhesion of H. pylori to the human gastric epithelium is the initial and critical step of its infection, anti-H. pylori adhesion agents may be effective for the prevention and therapy of H. pylori-associated diseases. CD74 has recently been identified as a new receptor for H. pylori urease, and we have previously reported that several citrus components strongly suppressed CD74 expression in NCI-N87 gastric carcinoma cells. We found in this present study that auraptene (citrus coumarin) disrupted serum starvation-induced extracellular signaling-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 activation and attenuated H. pylori adhesion and IL-8 production in a co-culture system. In addition, the knockdown of CD74 expression led to a significant decrease of H. pylori adhesion, but unexpectedly increased IL-8 production. However, PD98059 (a MEK1/2 inhibitor) dramatically down-regulated this cytokine, suggesting MEK/ERK-dependent IL-8 production. Our results suggest that auraptene suppressed H. pylori adhesion and resulting chemokine production by disrupting ERK1/2 activation.
The effect of citrus pectin (CP) on the proliferative capacity of four malignant cell lines was examined. Various dose of CP inhibited the proliferation of two-colon carcinoma and an erythroleukemia cell lines. Raji cells were not affected at all. The three lines affected by CP are known to express galectins which are pivotal for cell growth and metastasis, while Raji cells, whose proliferation was not affected by CP, are deficient of this betagalactoside. It is possible that the antiproliferative effect of CP on the malignant cells may be due at least in part to its ability to inhibit galectin expression.
Dietary fibers, including pectin, have been shown to exert a favorable effect on a wide spectrum of pathological conditions. Their positive influence on human health is explained by their anti-oxidative, hypocholesterolemic and anti-cancerous effects. However, little has been reported about their activity on the immune system. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to examine the effect of citrus pectin (CP) on cytokine production by human peripheral blood cells (PBMC). PBMC were incubated without or with CP at different degrees of esterification (DE) (approximately 30, approximately 60 and approximately 90% esterified pectin, assigned as DE30, DE60 and DE90, respectively) for detection of IL-1 beta, IL-1 ra, TNFalpha, IL-6 and IL-10 secretion. Incubation with DE60 and DE90 induced a dose-dependent inhibition of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1 beta secretion, whereas D30 did not affect this function. However, CP at all three esterification degrees did not alter the secretion of the additional pro-inflammatory cytokines examined, i.e. TNFalpha and IL-6. Conversely, CP at DE60 and DE90 caused a dose-dependent increased secretion of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-1 ra and IL-10, whereas D30 did not affect the production of IL-1 ra and decreased that of IL-10. The findings indicate that CP possesses the capacity to exert an immunomodulatory response in human PBMC which may have a favorable effect on human health.
Oxidative stress has been linked to such degenerative diseases as atherosclerosis, and it has been suggested that increased dietary intake of antioxidants may reduce its progression.
To determine the effect of mandarin juice consumption on biomarkers related to oxidative stress in hypercholesterolemic children.
The diet of 48 children with plasma cholesterol >200 mg/dL and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol >130 mg/dL was supplemented for 28 days with 500 mL/day of pure (100%) mandarin juice (Citrus clementina Hort. ex Tan.). The composition of the mandarin juice was analyzed, and its antioxidant antiradical activity was evaluated in vitro. Malondialdehyde, carbonyl groups, vitamins E and C, erythrocyte-reduced glutathione, and plasma lipids were measured at the onset and at the end of the supplementation period. The paired Student t test was used to compare values before and after supplementation.
Mandarin juice exerted a strong antioxidant effect mainly due to its high hydroxyl activity and, to a lesser extent, to its superoxide scavenger activity. At the end of the study, levels of the plasma biomarkers of oxidative stress were significantly decreased (malondialdehyde -7.4%, carbonyl groups -29.1%, P < 0.01), whereas the plasma antioxidants vitamin E and C (13.5%, P < 0.001 and 68.2%, P < 0.00001, respectively) and intraerythrocyte glutathione level (36.7%, P < 0.00001) were significantly increased. Plasma lipids and antibodies to oxidized low-density lipoproteins remained unchanged.
Regular ingestion of mandarin juice significantly reduces plasma biomarkers of lipid and protein oxidation and enhances the antioxidant status of consumers.
Beta-cryptoxanthin (beta-CRX) is a carotenoid pigment found especially in Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc.) fruit, which is mainly produced in Japan. Previously, we found that serum beta-CRX concentrations rose to extreme levels as the frequency of consumption of Satsuma mandarin increases. Using 94 non-smoking female volunteers, the present study evaluated the relationship between serum concentration of beta-CRX and serum lipid levels in September, when the Satsuma mandarin is not in season, and in January of the next year, when it is in season. The mean of increment in serum beta-CRX concentrations from September to January was 95.9 +/- 84.0 microg/dl (mean +/- SD). Although the changes in serum lipid levels did not correlate with the changes in serum beta-CRX, the serum HDL-cholesterol and apo-lipoprotein A1 levels in the highest quartile of the increment in serum beta-CRX from September to January were significantly higher than those in the lowest quartile in both September and January. In cross-sectional analyses, serum beta-CRX concentrations were correlated positively with those of LDL-cholesterol and apo-lipoprotein B levels in September, but these correlations were not observed in January. In contrast, serum beta-CRX concentrations were correlated positively with those of HDL-cholesterol and apo-lipoprotein A1 levels in January. These results suggest that habitual eating of Satsuma mandarin while it is in season may influence lipid metabolism throughout the year.