title: Nutritional evaluation and health promoting activities of nuts and seeds cultivated in Greece.
abstract: Available data suggest that genetic as well as environmental factors may influence nuts and seeds nutrients content. In this context nuts and seeds cultivated in Greece were studied. Macronutrients content was in agreement with that from other areas. Total phenolics content was in the range of 43.0 ± 2.1-1512.7 ± 60.7 mg GAE/100 g for chestnut and walnut, respectively. Thirteen to 22 individual phenolics were identified in the studied species. Oleanolic acid was in the range of 0.10-9.03 mg/100 g. Pumpkin seeds contained the higher squalene content (71.6 mg/100 g). β-Sitosterol predominated in all samples except pumpkin seeds. Tocopherols ranged from 8.9 mg/100 g (chestnut) to 29.3 mg/100 g (almond). Nuts and seeds hydrophilic extracts at quantities corresponding to the estimated daily consumption by the Greeks succeeded in inhibiting LDL oxidation in vitro by increasing lag time 1.1-14.1 times. One serving of nuts or seeds may cover a significant fraction of health promoting microconstituents daily intake.
authors: Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece.
authors: Nick
authors: N
authors: Kalogeropoulos
authors: Antonia
authors: A
authors: Chiou
authors: Maria S
authors: MS
authors: Ioannou
authors: Vaios T
authors: VT
authors: Karathanos
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D028464:Cucurbita / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development; D029962:Fagaceae / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development; D055951:Functional Food / Q000032:analysis*; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D031324:Juglans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D009753:Nutritive Value; D009754:Nuts / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development; D009828:Oleanolic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction / Q000187:drug effects; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D027861:Prunus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development; D012855:Sitosterols / Q000032:analysis; D013185:Squalene / Q000032:analysis; D024505:Tocopherols / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012855:Sitosterols; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein; C025473:gamma-sitosterol; D009828:Oleanolic Acid; D013185:Squalene; D024505:Tocopherols