title: Application of an online post-column derivatization HPLC-DPPH assay to detect compounds responsible for antioxidant activity in Sonchus oleraceus L. leaf extracts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To use an online assay to identify key antioxidants in Sonchus oleraceus leaf extracts and to investigate the effect of leaf position and extraction conditions on antioxidant concentration and activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Separation of phytochemicals and simultaneous assessment of antioxidant activity were performed online using HPLC and post-column reaction with a free-radical reagent (2, 2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl, DPPH). Active compounds were identified using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. We applied the online HPLC-DPPH radical assay to evaluate antioxidants in leaves from different positions on the plant and to assess the effect of pre-treatment of leaves with liquid N(2) before grinding, extraction time, extraction temperature and method of concentrating extracts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Key antioxidants identified in S. oleraceus leaf extracts were caftaric acid, chlorogenic acid and chicoric acid. Middle leaves contained the highest total amount of the three key antioxidant compounds, consisting mainly of chicoric acid. Pre-treatment with liquid N(2), increasing the extraction temperature and time and freeze-drying the extract did not enhance the yield of the key antioxidants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The online HPLC-DPPH radical assay was validated as a useful screening tool for investigating individual antioxidants in leaf extracts. Optimized extraction conditions were middle leaves pre-treated with liquid N(2), extraction at 25°C for 0.5 h and solvent removal by rotary evaporation.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Zong-Quan
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Ou
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Schmierer
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rades
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.forename: Arlene
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McDowell
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D002109:Caffeic Acids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D002726:Chlorogenic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D009862:Online Systems; D010636:Phenols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D010851:Picrates / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D031184:Sonchus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D013386:Succinates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D002109:Caffeic Acids; D005609:Free Radicals; D010636:Phenols; D010851:Picrates; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012997:Solvents; D013386:Succinates; D002726:Chlorogenic Acid; C004931:1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl; C100435:chicoric acid; C515101:caftaric acid