FOOD. Science. Technology. Quality

Food. SCIENCE. Technology. Quality

Food. Science. TECHNOLOGY. Quality

Food. Science. Technology. QUALITY

Authors

MIROSŁAWA SZLACHTA, MARIA MAŁECKA

Title

Antioxidant properties of fruit teas

Abstract

The objective of the paper was an attempt to determine the antioxidant activity of dried fruits as a factor shaping the pro-healthy properties of fruit teas. There were investigated market tea infusions, the taste of which Polish consumers accept, and infusions made of dried fruits of various types used to prepare fruit teas. 11 different raw materials (rosehip, chokeberry, hibiscus, raspberry, strawberry, blackberry, bilberry, black and red currant, black elderberry and apple) were analysed. Dried fruits showing the highest antiradical properties were then used to compose experimental mixtures characterized by a high antioxidant activity. Antiradical properties of the samples analyzed were determined using a DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical test. Moreover, the total phenolic content in the infusions analyzed was determined using a Folin-Ciocalteu method. It was found that the antioxidant activity and the content of polyphenolic compounds significantly varied depending on the type of dried fruits. The content of phenolic compounds ranged from 1.1 to 61.6 mg per 100 ml of infusion. The ability to scavenge DPPH by the samples under analysis was at a level between about 11 and 80% of the initial amount of the radical. The experimental teas were characterized by the higher antioxidant properties in comparison with the market teas. The change in the proportion of individual ingredients of teas made it possible to produce of product with an increased ability to reduce a DPPH radical. The investigation results prove that it is possible to shape antioxidant properties of fruit teas by changing ratios of their components. Further investigations should aim at improving the recipes of experimental teas in order to receive a desired flavour and wanted odour characteristics.

Keywords

antioxidant activity, phenolic compounds, dried fruits infusions, fruit teas

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