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Title: VARIATIONS IN FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING CAPACITY AND ANTIPROLIFERATIVE ACTIVITY AMONG DIFFERENT GENOTYPES OF AUTUMN OLIVE (Elaeagnus umbellate Thunb).

Author
item Wang, Shiow
item BOWMAN, LINDA - NIOSH,CDC, MORGANTOWN, WA
item DING, MIN - NIOSH,CDC, MORGANTOWN,WA

Submitted to: Planta Medica
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/9/2007
Publication Date: 5/1/2007
Citation: Wang, S.Y., Bowman, L., Ding, M. 2007. Variations in free radical scavenging capacity and antiproliferative activity among different genotypes of autumn olive (elaeagnus umbellate thunb).. Planta Medica. 73:451-460

Interpretive Summary: Autumn olive berry is considered a minor crop in the United States and has thus far received little research attention. There is growing interest in this crop because there is indication that some autumn olive berry cultivars contain high levels of antioxidants. We measured the antioxidant content of several cultivars. We also studied the effect of autumn olive fruit extracts on development of cancer in laboratory tests. We found that the antioxidant activity varies among different cultivars and their activities were higher than those in strawberries and lower than those in blueberries and blackberries. We also found that autumn olive extracts exhibited anti-cancer activity. These results indicate that consuming autumn olive fruit may be beneficial to human health. Information obtained from this research is valuable for other scientists and consumers interested in antioxidant compounds in fruit and improving human health.

Technical Abstract: Fruit from six genotypes of autumn olive Brilliant Rose, Delightful, Jewel, Natural 1, Natural 2, and Sweet Tart) were evaluated for fruit quality, phenolic contents, carotenoids, antioxidants, antioxidant capacity, antioxidant enzyme activity, and anti-cancer properties. The fruit soluble solids, titratable acids, total carotenoids, and total phenolic contents varied with genotypes. Soluble solids content (SSC) in six genotypes of autumn olive ranged from 10.6 to 18.4% while titratable acids (TA) ranged from 0.79 to 1.29%. Jewel had the highest SSC and Sweet N Tart had the highest TA. Fructose and glucose were the two predominant sugars, and malic acid was the predominant organic acid found in autumn olive fruit. Jewel and Sweet N Tart cultivars had the highest sugar and organic acid content among the six genotypes. Autumn olive contained potent free radical scavenging activities for various free radicals and reactive oxygen species. Autumn olive also had high activities of antioxidant enzymes. Among the six genotypes, Brilliant Rose and Jewel had the highest levels of antioxidants and antioxidant enzyme activity. All genotypes of autumn olive extracts showed inhibition of cancer cell proliferation. Genotypes Brilliant Rose and Jewel had relatively higher antiproliferative activity against human lung epithelial cancer A549 cell growth compared to other genotypes. These results indicate the consuming autumn olive fruit may be beneficial to human health, although further human studies will be required for confirmation.