Bioactive properties of Snake fruit (Salacca edulis Reinw) and Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) and their influence on plasma lipid profile and antioxidant activity in rats fed cholesterol

Two exotic fruits (Snake fruit and Mangosteen) were characterized by polyphenols, proteins and antioxidant potentials and by their influence on plasma lipids and antioxidant activity in rats fed cholesterol. The content of polyphenols (14.9±1.5 and 9.2±0.8 mg GAE g⁻¹) and antioxidant potential (46.7±4.7 and 72.9±7.4 μmol TE g⁻¹) in Snake fruit was significantly higher than in Mangosteen (P<0.05). Twenty male Wistar rats were divided into four dietary groups: Control, Chol, Chol/Snake and Chol/Mangosteen. After 4 weeks of the experiment diets supplemented with Snake fruit and to a lesser degree with Mangosteen significantly hindered the rise in plasma lipids and hindered a decrease of antioxidant activity. Changes were found in fibrinogen fraction, such as solubility and mobility by the number of protein bands detected in SDS-electrophoresis: Chol/Snake differed from Chol/Mangosteen. In conclusion, Snake fruit and Mangosteen contain high quantity of bioactive compounds, therefore positively affect plasma lipid profile and antioxidant activity in rats fed cholesterol-containing diets. Such positive influence is higher in rats fed diet with added Snake fruit.     

Antioxidant properties and bioactive constituents of some rare exotic Thai fruits and comparison with conventional fruits: In vitro and in vivo studies

The aim of this research was to investigate the bioactivity of durian, snake fruit and mangosteen, rare exotic Thai fruits. These fruits were compared among them and with conventional fruits: durian with mango and avocado, and snake fruit with mangosteen and kiwifruit in order to find the preferable diet for human consumption. The contents of polyphenols, flavonoids, flavanols, tannins, anthocyanins, ascorbic acid and carotenoids, and the level of antioxidant potential by ABTS, DPPH, FRAP and CUPRAC in different extracts (methanol, water, acetone, and hexane) were determined. The presence of polyphenols (flavonoids and phenolic acids) in the investigated samples was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and three-dimensional fluorimetry (3D-FL).The in vivo studies were carried out on 25 male Wistar rats, divided into 5 diet groups, each of 5. During 30 days of the experiment the rats of all 5 groups were fed basal diet (BD), which included wheat starch, casein, soybean oil, vitamin and mineral mixtures. The rats of the Control group were fed only the BD. The BD of the other 4 groups was supplemented with 1% of nonoxidized cholesterol (NOC) (Chol group), 1% of NOC in each group and 5% of lyophilized fruits: durian (Chol/Durian), snake fruit (Chol/Snake), mangosteen (Chol/Mangosteen). After the experiment diets supplemented with exotic fruits significantly hindered the rise in plasma lipids and hindered the decrease in the plasma antioxidant activity. In conclusion, the contents of bioactive compounds and the antioxidant potential are relatively high in the studied fruits and varied among them depending on the extraction procedure. FT-IR and 3D-FL can be used as additional tools for identification and comparison of bioactive compounds. Supplementation of diets with exotic fruits positively affects plasma lipid profile and antioxidant activity in rats fed cholesterol-containing diets.     

In vivo protective effects of quercetin against sodium fluoride-induced oxidative stress in the hepatic tissue

The protective effects of quercetin against sodium fluoride induced oxidative stress were examined in rat’s liver. Rats were divided into five groups. The first group served as normal group that was treated with standard diet. The second group was intoxicated with sodium fluoride (600 ppm) through drinking water for 1 week. The third, fourth and fifth groups were treated with quercetin at a dose of 10 and 20 mg/kg and vitamin C (as the positive control) at a dose of 10 mg/kg intraperitoneally for 1 week before sodium fluoride intoxication, respectively. After 1 week, activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase, level of reduced glutathione and lipid peroxidation end product were determined in the homogenates of rat liver. The results of the present study suggested that quercetin protects rat liver from sodium fluoride induced oxidative stress, probably via its antioxidant activity.     

Fatty acid composition and antioxidant system in relation to susceptibility of loquat fruit to chilling injury

Two cultivars of loquat fruit with contrasting chilling resistance were stored at 1 °C for 35 days to investigate the relationship between chilling injury and fatty acid composition and its antioxidant system. No symptoms of chilling injury occurred in the fruit of ‘Qingzhong’ cultivar during the whole storage, whereas in ‘Fuyang’ fruit, chilling injury increased sharply after 21 days of storage at 1 °C. ‘Qingzhong’ fruit had lower levels of superoxide radical and H₂O₂, in addition to lower lipoxygenase activity, but higher membrane lipid unsaturation and higher activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase than ‘Fuyang’. Furthermore, the chilling resistant ‘Qingzhong’ fruit also showed higher activities of antioxidant enzymes involved in ascorbate–glutathione cycle and higher levels of ascorbate acid and reduced glutathione. These results suggest that the higher membrane lipid unsaturation and the more efficient antioxidant system were both beneficial in enhancing resistance of loquat fruit to chilling injury.     

Antioxidant activity of ethanolic extract of Cortex fraxini and use in peanut oil

Cortex fraxini was extracted with 95% ethanol to obtain a crude antioxidant extract. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using the linoleic acid peroxidation method and the free radical scavenging assays, namely 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl radicals. Cortex fraxini extract (CFE) showed high inhibition of peroxidation of linoleic acid when compared with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). CFE also exhibited excellent scavenging activity on DPPH and hydroxyl radicals. Total antioxidant activity was measured by the reduction of Mo(VI) to Mo(V) by the extract, and subsequent formation of a green phosphate/Mo(V) complex at acid pH. CFE had significant total antioxidant activity and the effects were increased with increasing reaction time. The total phenolic content of the sample, analyzed by using Folin–Ciocalteu’s reagent, was 91.33 mg/g dry weight expressed as pyrocatechol equivalents. Then the suitability of CFE as an antioxidant was determined in peanut oil, and the decrease of lipid oxidation was monitored using thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) assay. CFE treatment significantly (P < 0.05) reduced lipid oxidation in peanut oil compared to the control. No significant differences (P = 0.05) in lipid oxidation were detected between CFE antioxidant and BHT antioxidant samples.     

Addition of seaweed (Laminaria digitata) extracts containing laminarin and fucoidan to porcine diets: Influence on the quality and shelf-life of fresh pork

A seaweed extract containing laminarin (L) and fucoidan (F) (L/F) was manufactured from brown seaweed (Laminaria digitata) in spray-dried (L/F-SD) and wet (L/F-WS) forms. The effect of supplementation of pig diets with L/F-SD and L/F-WS (L, 500 mg/kg feed; F, 420 mg/kg feed) for 21 days pre-slaughter, on quality indices of fresh M. longissimus dorsi (LD) steaks was examined. Susceptibility of porcine liver, heart, kidney and lung tissue homogenates to iron-induced (1 mM FeSO₄) lipid oxidation was also investigated. Dietary supplementation with L/F did not increase plasma total antioxidant status (TAS). In LD steaks stored in modified atmosphere packs (80% O₂:20% CO₂) (MAP) for up to 15 days at 4 °C, muscle pH, surface colour (CIE ‘L*’ lightness, ‘a*’ redness and ‘b*’ yellowness values) and microbiology (psychrotrophic and mesophilic counts, log CFU/g pork) were unaffected by dietary L/F. In general, levels of lipid oxidation (TBARS, mg MDA (malondialdehyde)/kg pork) followed the order: C > LF-SD > L/F-WS. A statistically significant reduction in lipid oxidation (P < 0.05) was observed in LD steaks from 75% of pigs (n = 6) fed with L/F-WS compared to controls. Iron-induced lipid oxidation increased in liver, heart, kidney and lung tissue homogenates over the 24 h storage period and dietary L/F-WS reduced lipid oxidation to the greatest extent in liver tissue homogenates. Results demonstrate potential for the incorporation of marine-derived bioactive antioxidant components into muscle foods via the animal's diet.     

Antioxidant capacity and stilbene contents of wines produced in the Snake River Valley of Idaho

Forty-two wines produced from grapes grown in Idaho were examined in this study. The samples examined were from four monovarietal wines (12 Cabernet Sauvignon, 9 Merlot, 7 Riesling, 14 Chardonnay). Wine samples represented twelve wineries that obtain their fruit from vineyards located within Idaho’s Snake River Valley. Titratable acidity, pH, specific gravity, colour measurements (lightness, chroma, and hue), % haze, total anthocyanins, total phenolics, total tannins, antioxidant capacity, and individual stilbene measurements were performed. The antioxidant capacities (ORAC values) of Idaho wines ranged from 3.1 (Merlot wine) to 87.0 (Cabernet Sauvignon wine) μmol of Trolox/ml (mean = 38.5 μmol of Trolox/ml). Mean ORAC values of Merlot wines (mean = 27.6 μmol of Trolox/ml) were lower than the other three styles (mean for Cabernet Sauvignon wines = 41.0 μmol of Trolox/ml, mean for Chardonnay wines = 42.8 μmol of Trolox/ml, and mean for Riesling wines = 39.4 μmol of Trolox/ml). Free stilbene levels (four different stilbenes) were examined by direct-HPLC/DAD/ESI-MS/MS method. Piceid and resveratrol (both trans- and cis-) were found in the samples. Stilbene levels ranged from 0.97 (Riesling wine) to 12.88 (Cabernet Sauvignon wine) mg (expressed as trans-resveratrol)/l. This is the first paper to report the current chemical composition of Idaho wines.     

Antioxidant and cardioprotective activities of phenolic extracts from fruits of Chilean blackberry Aristotelia chilensis (Elaeocarpaceae), Maqui

The methanol extract from mature fruits of Aristotelia chilensis (Mol) Stuntz (Elaeocarpaceae) showed antioxidant activities and cardioprotective effects on acute ischemia/reperfusion performed in rat heart in vivo. This extract protected animals from heart damage by the incidence of reperfusion dysrythmias, and the no-recovery of sinus rhythm. On the other hand, the MeOH extract of the fruit was able to prevent these harmful events in the animal’s heart by diminishing lipid oxidation and reducing the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), a lipid peroxidation index. In addition, MeOH extract of A. chilensis was evaluated for DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging, crocin radical scavenging, oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), an estimation of lipid peroxidation in liposomes through the inhibition of formation of TBARS. MeOH extract was found to have IC₅₀ of 1.62 ppm against DPPH and 2.51 ppm against TBARS, compared with the juice, whose IC₅₀ was 12.1 ppm and 9.58 ppm against DPPH and TBARS formation, respectively. Antioxidant activities of MeOH extract were strongly correlated with total polyphenol content. Consistent with this finding, MeOH had the greatest ORAC and FRAP values as percentage of activity. These results show that these fruits could be useful as antioxidant, cardioprotective and nutraceutical sources.     

Antioxidant activity of hot water extract from the fruit of the Doum palm, Hyphaene thebaica

A hot water extract from the fruit of Hyphaene thebaica was examined for its (i) hydrogen donating activity, (ii) Fe²⁺-chelating activity, (iii) hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity, (iv) inhibition of substrate site-specific hydroxyl radical formation, (v) superoxide radical-scavenging activity, and (vi) reducing power. The total phenolic content of the fruit extract was also determined in order to quantitate antioxidant activity as gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per ml reaction. The total phenolic content of the Doum fruit is low, but the extract exhibited potent antioxidant activity in terms of GAE. The activities expressed as mmol pure compound equivalent per g GAE content of extract are: (i) 2.85 mmol ascorbic acid equivalent, (ii) 1.78 mmol ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid equivalent, (iii) 192 mmol gallic acid equivalent, (iv) 3.36 mmol gallic acid equivalent, (v) 1.78 mmol gallic acid equivalent and (vi) 3.93 mmol ascorbic acid equivalent. These values were of the same magnitude as antioxidant activity in black tea except for Fe²⁺-chelating activity which was about 14 times more potent. The results show that the fruit of Hyphaene thebaica’s fruit is a source of potent antioxidants.     

Antioxidative characteristics of aqueous and ethanol extracts of glossy privet fruit

Non-enzymatic antioxidant activities of aqueous extract, 50% ethanol extract and 75% ethanol extract of glossy privet fruit were examined. Aqueous and ethanol extracts contained various concentrations of phenolic acids, flavonoids, oleanolic acid and ursolic acid. Each extract scavenged superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical and nitric oxide (P < 0.05) in a concentration-dependent manner and the effect of 75% ethanol extract was significantly greater than other extracts (P < 0.05). Each extract showed a concentration-dependent effect on chelating effect, xanthine oxidase inhibition activity and reducing power (P < 0.05). Compared with controls, each extract significantly decreased malondialdehyde formation in low density lipoprotein (LDL) and 8-epi-PGF_2α formation in plasma (P < 0.05). Aqueous extract exerted a greater effect than ethanol extract on increasing catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities in plasma (P < 0.05). These data suggest that using glossy privet fruit extracts may enhance lipid stability in food systems, and provide antioxidative protection for LDL and plasma.     

Influence of whole and fresh-cut mango intake on plasma lipids and antioxidant capacity of healthy adults

The content of antioxidant compounds and antioxidant capacity of whole and fresh-cut mango, stored for 10 days at 12 °C and 5 °C, respectively and their influence on serum antioxidant capacity and lipid profile of normolipidemic humans were studied. Whole mango (WM) had a higher content of flavonoids, ??-carotene and antioxidant capacity, determined by oxygen radical scavenging capacity, (ORAC) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays, than the fresh-cut fruit (FCM). FCM presented higher amounts of total phenols. Thirty normolipidemic volunteers, ages 20-50 years, were randomly divided into two groups (WM and FCM) 15 persons each. During 30 consecutive days volunteers from groups 1 and 2, received daily 200 g of WM or FCM, respectively. Lipid levels and antioxidant capacity in plasma were determined at 0, 15 and 30 days of the experiment. Serum triglycerides were significantly reduced after 30 days of supplementation with WM and FCM (37 and 38% respectively); VLDL levels were reduced in a similar proportion. No significant changes in other plasma lipid levels were observed. Both treatments increased plasma antioxidant capacity measured by ORAC and TEAC methods. According to the results obtained in this study, we suggest that addition of mango fruit to generally accepted healthy diets could have a beneficial effect preventing hypertryglyceridemia, and that fresh-cut processing does not affect the beneficial properties of mango.     

Effect of the Lycium barbarum polysaccharides administration on blood lipid metabolism and oxidative stress of mice fed high-fat diet in vivo

Epidemiological and experimental studies have suggested that high dietary fat intake of mice is associated with many physically degenerative diseases. Since oxidative stress and abnormal lipid metabolism have been speculated to be critical mechanisms underlying degenerative diseases, we hypothesized that a high-fat (HF) diet might induce oxidative stress or lipid oxidation and subsequently contribute to the high risk of some diseases such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular ones. To test this hypothesis, male kunming mice were placed on either a HF diet or a normal laboratory diet for 30 consecutive days. This investigation demonstrated that blood fat [low density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerols (TAG), high density lipoprotein (HDL)], blood sugar (blood glucose and liver glycogen) and oxidative stress (activities of antioxidant enzymes and levels of non-enzymic antioxidants) of mice fed high-fat diet (group II) were significantly increased or decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) when compared with the control group (I). The present study revealed that HF diet induced oxidative stress and provided novel evidence regarding the link between high dietary fat and increased risk of degenerative diseases. The administration of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides did not show any effect on the body weight of the experimental mice, but significantly decreased the levels of LDL, TC, TAG, blood glucose and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) or increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) when compared with mice in HF group (II). These findings were further supported by significantly increased non-enzymic antioxidants levels (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), suggesting that L. barbarum polysaccharides showed a noticeable inhibition against lipid oxidation induced by free radicals caused by HF diet intake (groups III, IV, V) on the basis of their antioxidant activities.     

The hydroxycinnamic acid content of barley and brewers’ spent grain (BSG) and the potential to incorporate phenolic extracts of BSG as antioxidants into fruit beverages

The hydroxycinnamic acid (HA) content of starting barley for brewers’ spent grains (BSG), whole BSG and phenolic extracts from BSG was measured using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and correlated with antioxidant potential. The effect of BSG phenolic extracts on antioxidant activity of fruit beverages was also assessed (using the total phenolic content (TPC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays). The concentration of HA present in barley extract and BSG was in the order of ferulic acid (FA), p-coumaric acid (p-CA) derivatives, FA derivatives, p-CA, caffeic acid (CA) and CA derivatives. Results suggested that brewing and roasting decreased the HA content. Antioxidant activity was significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with caffeic acid (R² = 0.8309) and total HA (R² = 0.3942) concentrations. Addition of extracts to fruit beverages resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) increase in antioxidant activity of cranberry juice, measured by the FRAP assay. In vitro digestion significantly (P < 0.05) reduced TPC, DPPH and FRAP activity of the fruit beverages.     

Antioxidant potential of ethanolic extract of Polygonum cuspidatum and application in peanut oil

Polygonum cuspidatum was extracted with 95% ethanol to obtain a crude antioxidant extract. P. cuspidatum extract (PCE) had a very high content of total phenol, which was 104.83 ± 8.58 mg/g dry weight, expressed as pyrocatechol equivalent. PCE exhibited excellent antioxidant activity, as measured using α,α-diphenyl-β-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) and total antioxidant assays. It also showed a high lipid antioxidant activity and hydroxyl radicals scavenging activity. A positive correlation was found between the reducing power and the antioxidant activity of PCE, which was found to be comparable to resveratrol and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). Then the suitability of PCE as an antioxidant was determined in peanut oil, and the decrease of oxidation was monitored using thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) assay. PCE treatment significantly (P <  0.05) reduced lipid oxidation in peanut oil compared to resveratrol and BHT.     

Antioxidant potentials of buntan pumelo (Citrus grandis Osbeck) and its ethanolic and acetified fermentation products

The antioxidant potentials of buntan pumelo (Citrus grandis Osbeck) and its fermented products were determined. The essential oil from peel had higher total phenolic (214 mM) and flavonoid (134 mg QE/g of dried material) contents than those of different solvent extracts from fruit pulp. In addition, DPPH free radical-scavenging activity and ferric-reducing antioxidant power values determined for the essential oil were 26.1 ± 1.2% and 2.3 ± 0.3 mM, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of various fruit pulp extracts. The ethanol-fermented products of pumelo juice had higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents than those of fresh juice. For maintenance of the substantial antioxidant properties of pumelo products, ethanol-fermented juice rather than fresh or acetate-fermented juice is recommended. Through correlation analysis, the phenolic compounds in the fermented pumelo products were found to be the major contributors to the free radical-scavenging activity and ferric-reducing power.     

Identification and quantification of major phenolic compounds from mango (Mangifera indica, cv. Ataulfo) fruit by HPLC–DAD–MS/MS-ESI and their individual contribution to the antioxidant activity during ripening

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is an economically important fruit throughout the world. ‘Ataulfo’ mango, a leading cultivar in Mexico, has the highest content of phenolic compounds among several commercial varieties of mango. However, the individual identification and antioxidant contribution of these phenols during ripening of mango fruit is unknown. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the major phenolic compounds found in ‘Ataulfo’ mango fruit pulp was conducted in four stages of ripeness, using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The antioxidant contribution of each of the major phenolic compounds was calculated. The major compounds identified were chlorogenic acid (28–301 mg/100 g DW), gallic acid (94.6–98.7 mg/100 g DW), vanillic acid (16.9–24.4 mg/100 g DW), and protocatechuic acid (0.48–1.1 mg/100 g DW). The antioxidant contribution of the four phenolic acids increased during ripening. Gallic acid accounted for the highest contribution (39% maximum value), followed by chlorogenic acid (21% maximum value). This could indicate that these phenolic compounds may have an important role in the antioxidant metabolism in ‘Ataulfo’ mango fruit during ripening, and promoting health benefits to consumers.     

Antioxidant activity and phenolic content of raw and blanched Amaranthus species

The study was aimed to determine the antioxidant activity (total antioxidant and free radical-scavenging activities) and total phenolic content of Amaranthus sp. The effects of different blanching times (10 and 15 min) on antioxidant activity and phenolic content were also studied. Four types of Amaranthus species locally known as spinach, namely ‘bayam putih’ (Amaranthus paniculatus) (BP), ‘bayam merah’ (Amaranthus gangeticus) (BM), ‘bayam itik’ (Amaranthus blitum) (BI) and ‘bayam panjang’ (Amaranthus viridis) (BPG), were selected. Total antioxidant activity of water-soluble components in raw spinach was in the order of BI ≈ BM ≈ BPG > BP, whereas free radical-scavenging activity was in the order of BI > BPG > BM > BP. The total phenolic contents of BM and BP were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than other samples. All the studied spinach species possessed different antioxidant activities and phenolic contents. Antioxidant activities and phenolic contents of all the spinach were in the order of raw > blanched 10 min > blanched 15 min. Blanching up to 15 min may affect losses of antioxidant activity and phenolic content, depending on the species of spinach.     

Effect of BTH on antioxidant enzymes,radical-scavenging activity and decay in strawberry fruit

The effect of benzo-thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid S-methyl ester (BTH), at 0.2 g/l, on antioxidant enzymes, radical-scavenging activity and decay development in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) fruit, was investigated. The results showed that BTH treatment enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase. The treatment increased the contents of phenolic and anthocyanin in strawberry fruit, as well as radical-scavenging capacity, expressed as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and superoxide radical values and reducing power. The treatment also decreased the development of decay compared to control fruit. These results indicated that BTH might increase the disease resistance of strawberry fruits by enhancing their antioxidant systems and their free radical-scavenging capabilities.     

Wheat bran feruloyl oligosaccharides enhance the antioxidant activity of rat plasma

Wheat bran feruloyl oligosaccharides (FOs) possess in vitro antioxidative potential. The aim of this paper is to investigate the protective effect of FOs against oxidative stress in rat plasma. The levels of oxidative stress markers (oxidised glutathione and malondialdehyde) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) in plasma from rats fed with a standard diet supplemented with 1% FOs were evaluated. The anti-radical capacity of rat plasma after ingestion of 0.5 mg FOs was measured using AAPH as the free radical inducer. Compared to the control group, the antioxidant enzyme activity was higher in plasma from rats fed with FOs, and oxidised glutathione and malondialdehyde levels were lower. Plasmas of rats after ingestion of FOs were more resistant to AAPH-induced hemolysis than was the control group (P < 0.01). These results suggest that FOs enhance the level of antioxidative activity in rat plasma in vivo.     

Total antioxidant activity in 35 Ugandan fruits and vegetables

The objective of this study was to analyse antioxidant activity (AA) in fruits and vegetables from Uganda and to investigate whether AA in traditional food is sufficiently high to prevent oxidative stress and thus combat disease. We used the FRAP (ferric reducing ability of plasma) procedure. The results showed great variation in AA, ranging from 72.3 ± 13.5 (Syzygium cuminii seed) to 0.09 ± 0.05 (Cucurbita maxima fruit) mmol/100 g fresh weight (FW). We estimated serving sizes and determined the total antioxidant capacity (TDAC) per day of three traditional Ugandan diets. The dietary plants with highest AA per serving size were pomegranate (Punica granatum), Canarium schweinfurthii, guava (Psidium guajava), mango (Mangifera indica) and tree tomato (Cyphomandra betacea) with values ranging from 8.91 to 3.00 mmol/serving. Of the traditional diets, the central/eastern (C/E) and the western (W) diets had almost the same AA (9.31–9.78 and 9.75 mmol/day), while the northern (N) diet had an AA of 7.50–8.02 mmol/day.