Browsing by Subject "raudan kelaatio"

Numerous scientific studies have revealed the connection between oxidative stress and a wide range of diseases, including cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, inflammatory diseases and cancer. The most probable theory of ageing is based on oxidative stress as well. There exist endogenous and exogenous antioxidants capable of fighting oxidative and nitrosative damage to molecules and tissues of the body. Such compounds may be beneficial in prevention and treatment of different conditions. For example, plant foods contain various amounts of antioxidants. The aim of this thesis is to evaluate the antioxidant-related activities of certain commonly used vegetables (broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, peas), berries (bilberry, raspberry), herbs (Egyptian basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme) and spices (paprika) and to discuss their role in human health. The sample extracts were tested with four different methods: the determination of total phenols using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, the DPPH free radical scavenging activity assay, reducing power activity assay and iron (II) chelation. In all assays, with exception of iron (II) chelation, vegetables proved to be less active as a potential source of antioxidants than other samples, while herbs seemed to be the most active samples. Iron chelation potential of samples is approximately the same with exception of paprika (lower than other samples) and bilberry (higher than other samples). The results obtained from different assays are not consistent with each other, and good correlative relationship occurs only between total phenols and iron reduction. On the basis of the results, it can be assumed that herbs and berries may be the main target for the research of pharmaceutically important antioxidants, although in daily diet vegetables and fruits are likely to be the best sources of such compounds. However, the beneficial daily doses of plant foods remain to be considered and further research is needed to provide information on the activity of given samples in vivo.