title: Centauries as underestimated food additives: antioxidant and antimicrobial potential.
abstract: Methanol extracts of aerial parts and roots of five centaury species (Centaurium erythraea, C. tenuiflorum, C. littorale ssp. uliginosum, C. pulchellum, and Schenkia spicata) were analysed for their main secondary metabolites: secoiridoid glycosides, a group of monoterpenoid compounds, and phenolics (xanthones and flavonoids), and further investigated for antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial activity. The results of ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays showed that above ground parts generally displayed up to 13 times higher antioxidant activity compared to roots, which should be related to higher phenolics content, especially flavonoids, in green plant organs. Secoiridoid glycosides showed no antioxidant activity. All the tested extracts demonstrated appreciative antibacterial (0.05-0.5 mg ml(-1)) and strong antifungal activity (0.1-0.6 mg ml(-1)). Our results imply that above ground parts of all centaury species studied, could be recommended for human usage as a rich source of natural antioxidants and also in food industry as strong antimicrobial agents for food preservation.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", University of Belgrade, Bulevar despota Stefana 142, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Branislav
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Siler
authors.forename: Suzana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zivković
authors.forename: Tijana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Banjanac
authors.forename: Jelena
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cvetković
authors.forename: Jasmina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nestorović Živković
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cirić
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soković
authors.forename: Danijela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mišić
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D029966:Centaurium / Q000737:chemistry*; D005503:Food Additives / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D005503:Food Additives; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Antimicrobial activity; Antioxidant activity; Centauries; Phenolics; Secoiridoid glycosides