Bioactive components, antioxidant and DNA damage inhibitory activities of honeys from arid regions.
Honey serves as a good source of natural antioxidants, which are effective in reducing the risk of occurrence of several diseases. This study was undertaken to address the limited knowledge regarding the polyphenolic content, antioxidant and DNA damage inhibitory activities of honeys produced in arid regions and compare them with well-recognized honeys from non-arid regions. Different types of honey were assessed for their contents of total phenolics, total flavonoids, and certain types of phenolic compounds. The antioxidant capacity of honey was evaluated by ferric-reducing/antioxidant power assay (FRAP), free radical-scavenging activity (DPPH), nitric oxide (NO) radical-scavenging assay, total antioxidant activity, and DNA damage. Results clearly showed significant differences among honeys with all the evaluated parameters. Results also showed that one or more types of honey from arid regions contained higher levels of phenolic compounds, free radical-scavenging activities, or DNA damage inhibitory activities compared with the evaluated honeys from non-arid regions.
Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Food and Agriculture, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 15551, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. Electronic address: hosaml@hotmail.com.
Hosam M
HM
Habib
Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Food and Agriculture, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 15551, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Fatima T
FT
Al Meqbali
Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Food and Agriculture, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 15551, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Hina
H
Kamal
Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Food and Agriculture, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 15551, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Usama D
UD
Souka
Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Food and Agriculture, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 15551, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Wissam H
WH
Ibrahim
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D006722:Honey / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D014479:United Arab Emirates
D000975:Antioxidants; D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols
ABTS; Antioxidant activity; Arid regions; DNA damage inhibitory activity; DPPH; FRAP; Flavonoids; Honey; Nitric oxide; Phenolic acids