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Peanuts are important dietary food source of resveratrol with potent antioxidant properties implicated in reducing risk of cancer, cardiovascular and Alzheimer's disease, and delaying aging. Resveratrol is a naturally occurring stilbene phytoalexin phenolic compound produced in response to a variety of biotic and abiotic stresses. This paper is a review of trans-resveratrol and related stilbenes from peanuts--their chemical structures, mechanisms for their biosynthesis, and concentrations in comparison with other major food sources. It will also discuss trans-resveratrol's absorption, bioavailability, and major health benefits; processes to enhance their biosynthesis in peanuts by biotic and abiotic stresses; process optimization for enhanced levels in peanuts and their potential food applications; and methods used for its extraction and analysis.

Application of no postharvest stress or by size reduction, grinding, chopping, or slicing and exposure to UV light or ultrasound were investigated for the elicitation of trans-resveratrol, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity (AOA) in peanut kernels. AOA and total phenolic compounds did not increase in stressed peanuts over incubation times 0-48 h at 25 degrees C; however, an increase in trans-resveratrol concentration over time occurred. Slicing (2 mm), ultrasound exposure for 4 min at 25 degrees C, and incubation for 36 h produced the highest level of trans-resveratrol synthesis in peanuts, increasing concentrations from 0.48 +/- 0.08 microg/g in untreated peanuts to 3.96 +/- 0.96 microg/g. AOA in stressed peanuts was negatively correlated with trans-resveratrol concentration, indicating that as AOA decreased trans-resveratrol concentration increased.

Three natural antioxidant systems, tocopherol, extract of rosemary, a tocopherol and rosemary combination, and BHA/BHT were evaluated in frankfurters prepared from chicken and pork. Thiobarbituric acid numbers of refrigerated bulk and vacuum packaged samples stored in darkness for up to 18 days indicated that natural tocopherols provided significantly more protection than controls containing no antioxidant and were as effective as BHA/BHT in retarding oxidation. All bulk-packaged frankfurters except those containing BHA/BHT and tocopherols were inedible after 18 days. Color values indicated no evidence that any treatment provided better color stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]