Zehra Can

This study was planned to investigate some physicochemical and anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial properties of three different degrees of unifloral characters of chestnut honeys. Antihyaluronidase, antiurease and antimicrobial activities were evaluated as anti-inflammatory characteristics. Total phenolic contents, flavonoids, tannins, phenolic profiles, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), scavenging activities of 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS(+)) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals were evaluated as antioxidant properties. Color, optical rotation, conductivity, moisture, pH and ash content were evaluated as physicochemical parameters, and some sugars content, prolin, diastase, HMF and minerals (Na, K, Ca, P, Fe, Cu and Zn) were evaluated as chemical and biochemical parameters. All studied physicochemical and biological active properties were changed in line with the unifloral character of the chestnut honeys. A higher unifloral character was found associated with greater apitherapeutic capacity of the honey, as well as biological active compounds.

This study investigated some physico-chemical and biochemical characteristics of different honey types belonging to Turkish flora. Sixty-two honey samples were examined on the basis of pollen analyses, including 11 unifloral honeys (chestnut, heather, chaste tree, rhododendron, common eryngo, lavender, Jerusalem tea, astragalus, clover and acacia), two different honeydew honeys (lime and oak), and 7 different multifloral honeys. Electrical conductivity, moisture, Hunter color values, HMF, proline, diastase number, and sugar analyses of the honey samples were assessed for chemical characterization. Some phenolic components were analyzed by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) to determine honeys' phenolic profiles. Total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids, ferric reducing antioxidant capacity (FRAP) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity were measured as antioxidant determinants. The study results confirm that physico-chemical and biological characteristics of honeys are closely related to their floral sources, and that dark-colored honeys such as oak, chestnut and heather, have a high therapeutic potential.

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to evaluate the total phenolic contents, antioxidant properties and phenolic composition of four edible mushroom species, Ganoderma lucidum, Morchella esculenta, Lentinula edodes and Hericium erinaceus. Extraction of phenolic compounds was carried out in an ultrasonic bath. Total phenolic contents were determined using Folin–Ciocalteu's reagent and the results were calculated using gallic acid equivalents (GAE). Ferric reducing antioxidant power and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical-scavenging antioxidant activities were also measured and Trolox was used as positive control. Phenolic composition was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography and comparisons with standards. Total phenolic contents were highest in G. lucidum (26.40 mg GAE/g), followed by M. esculenta, L. edodes and H. erinaceus. The same trend was observed in individual phenolic composition and antioxidant activities, these also were higher in G. lucidum compared with the other species.Practical ApplicationsMushrooms are becoming increasingly important as a foodstuff and also in medicine because of their phenolic and antioxidant contents. The edible mushrooms investigated in this study are used as food and food flavoring because of their pleasant taste and aroma. They are also used for medicinal purposes in Turkey and across the world. All four edible mushrooms were determined to be very rich in natural antioxidants. The profile of the phenolic composition of these Turkish edible mushrooms is presented in this study. Our research shows that these mushrooms have very high antioxidant capacities and may assist the treatment of some diseases, if used for alternative medicines.

This study investigated various chemical and antioxidant properties of Anatolian royal jelly samples. Moisture, pH, total protein, 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA) and sugars were analyzed from 18 samples. Total phenolic contents, ferric reducing antioxidant capacity and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity were measured as antioxidant determinants. 10-HDA contents and total protein content of fresh weight ranged between 1.0% and 3.9%, and 11.4% and 15.8%, respectively. The main sugars detected were glucose and fructose. Maltose, trehalose, and melibiose were detected at less than 1.0% in all samples. Lactose, a milk sugar, was detected in only 3 samples, at values between 0.8% and 1.4%. Total henolic content ranged from 91.0 to 301.0 mg gallic acid equivalents/kg fresh weight. Antioxidant activity is due to both to the total phenolic content, proteins and fatty acids of royal jelly. Anatolian royal jelly samples were not different from other royal...