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Issue consists of one article divided into downloadable PDFS. The Southern African Lepidoptera Conservation Assessment (SALCA) was a collaborative venture between the Lepidopterists’ Society of Africa (LepSoc Africa), the Brenton Blue Trust (BBT) and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), and formed part of the National Biodiversity Assessment (NBA). SALCA was founded on the importance of Lepidoptera both ecologically and as biodiversity indicators and the proven expertise of the participants during the Southern African Butterfly Conservation Assessment (SABCA). The main outcomes of the SALCA project are presented and discussed here.The SALCA tool, a custom-designed interactive distribution database, enabled high quality data to be derived so that accurate conservation assessments could be produced in accordance with IUCN methodology. The Red Lists of SALCA and SABCA facilitated the first opportunity to calculate the Red List Index (RLI) for South African butterflies during the period from 2012–2018. Other metrics required for the NBA included protection level and threats analyses. A further outcome was the critical habitat mapping for butterflies, which formed part of a screening tool implemented by SANBI, to ensure that land use changes did not cause any further loss of butterfly biodiversity.A comprehensive distribution database was developed for South African moths, enabling data to be analysed so that moth species potentially threatened could be short-listed for further investigation.Geographical hotspots and ecosystems (vegetation types) containing butterflies of conservation concern are highlighted. The societal, economic and human wellbeing benefits of conserving Lepidoptera are identified. Responses by LepSoc Africa to the increasing pressures on South African Lepidoptera biodiversity, are also reported on and discussed. The significant outcomes of SABCA and SALCA are benchmarked against a well-known European butterfly atlasing and conservation assessment project.The 165 SALCA Red Lists and conservation assessments are presented at the end of this publication. PDF Published 2022-03-27 Issue Vol. 31 No. 4 (2020) Section Articles All copyright for publications belongs to the Lepidopterists’ Society of Africa NPC (LepSoc Africa) and/or the individual author(s), in terms of a Creative Commons license, which can be viewed at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/, and which only allows users to copy, distribute and transmit the work, whilst prohibiting commercial use and preventing alteration, transformation of, or building upon the work. The finally formatted, printed version is under the copyright of LepSoc Africa as the publisher, although the author(s) retain the right to fully use the content of the article, provided that the publisher is acknowledged. Text extracts may be used by third parties with prior, written permission from the Metamorphosis Editor and (as a minimum) the senior author. The journal name, volume, number and date of publication must be acknowledged by the third party together with the author(s) and title of the article.

The encapsulation of bioactive-rich plant extracts is an effective method of preventing their damage or loss of activity during processing and storage. Here, the techno-functional properties of microcapsules developed from Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MoLP) extract (core) with maltodextrin (MD), gum Arabic (GA), and a combination (MDGA) (coatings) were assessed. The bulk and tap density were 0.177, 0.325 and 0.297 g/mL and 0.13, 0.295 and 0.259 g/mL for GA, MD and MDGA microcapsules, respectively. Flowability properties of microcapsules indicated an intermediate flow except for GA which had a poor flow. The moisture content of the microcapsules ranged from 1.47% to 1.77% with no significant differences (p > 0.05) observed. All the microcapsules had high water solubility (86.35% for GA to 98.74% for MD and 90.51% for MDGA). Thermogravimetric analyses revealed that encapsulation enhanced the thermal stability of the core material. The X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the microcapsules and extracts have an amorphous nature, which was validated by the surface morphology analysis that showed amorphous, irregular, and flake-like attributes except for MDGA microcapsules which had slightly spherical and agglomerated surfaces. The Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectra of the microcapsules showed the presence of C-O and O-H aromatic rings as well as amine groups. New spectra were observed at 1177, 1382 and 1411 cm−1 for MDGA, MD and GA, respectively, after encapsulation, which connotes a slight modification in the chemical structural pattern after encapsulation. Storage stability tests (28 days at 4, 25 and 40 °C) showed that the microcapsules were most stable at 4 °C and the stability differs significantly (p ≤ 0.05) with coating material type and temperature with MDGA showing better storage stability than others. Altogether, the attributes of the MDGA microcapsules were comparatively better than either MD or GA alone. The present data, therefore, demonstrate an effective encapsulation process for MoLP extract that can serve as fortificants in processed food products where MoLP may be used.

The encapsulation of bioactive-rich plant extracts is an effective method of preventing their damage or loss of activity during processing and storage. Here, the techno-functional properties of microcapsules developed from Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MoLP) extract (core) with maltodextrin (MD), gum Arabic (GA), and a combination (MDGA) (coatings) were assessed. The bulk and tap density were 0.177, 0.325 and 0.297 g/mL and 0.13, 0.295 and 0.259 g/mL for GA, MD and MDGA microcapsules, respectively. Flowability properties of microcapsules indicated an intermediate flow except for GA which had a poor flow. The moisture content of the microcapsules ranged from 1.47% to 1.77% with no significant differences (p > 0.05) observed. All the microcapsules had high water solubility (86.35% for GA to 98.74% for MD and 90.51% for MDGA). Thermogravimetric analyses revealed that encapsulation enhanced the thermal stability of the core material. The X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the microcapsules and extracts have an amorphous nature, which was validated by the surface morphology analysis that showed amorphous, irregular, and flake-like attributes except for MDGA microcapsules which had slightly spherical and agglomerated surfaces. The Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectra of the microcapsules showed the presence of C-O and O-H aromatic rings as well as amine groups. New spectra were observed at 1177, 1382 and 1411 cm−1 for MDGA, MD and GA, respectively, after encapsulation, which connotes a slight modification in the chemical structural pattern after encapsulation. Storage stability tests (28 days at 4, 25 and 40 °C) showed that the microcapsules were most stable at 4 °C and the stability differs significantly (p ≤ 0.05) with coating material type and temperature with MDGA showing better storage stability than others. Altogether, the attributes of the MDGA microcapsules were comparatively better than either MD or GA alone. The present data, therefore, demonstrate an effective encapsulation process for MoLP extract that can serve as fortificants in processed food products where MoLP may be used.

This study was designed to investigate the variations in alkaloid concentrations of Sceletium tortuosum when grown in soilless mediums under different fertigation regimes and to examine the suitability of the plant for hydroponic cultivation. A mother plant obtained from Verve Dynamics (Pty) Ltd (a manufacturer and supplier of purified botanical extracts) was cultivated into three hundred plants used for this research study. Twenty treatments were evaluated with 15 sample replicates. Treatments were made up of 4 different soilless growing media, namely: pure silica sand, 50% silica sand with 50% coco-peat, 50% silica sand with 50% vermiculite, and 50% silica sand with 50% perlite. These growing media were tested in conjunction with 5 different fertigation regimes (FR). Plants grown in FR1 received aqueous nutrient solution once every week, FR2 received aqueous nutrient solution once every second week, FR3 received aqueous nutrient solution once every third week, FR4 received aqueous nutrient solution once every fourth week and FR5 received aqueous nutrient solution once every fifth week respectively. Results from this experiment showed that different soilless growing media and fertigation had varying effects on alkaloid concentrations in S. tortuosum. It was also observed that roots contained higher amounts of delta 7 mesembrenone and mesembrenone, while shoots contained higher amounts of the alkaloid mesembrine., Alkaloids; Delta 7 mesembrenone; Fertigation regimes; Hydroponics; Mesembrenone; Mesembrine; Soilless media; Food science; Agricultural science; Environmental science; Biological sciences; Metabolite; Pharmaceutical science

This study examined the antioxidant status and quality of breast meat in broiler birds fed diets supplemented with pomegranate peel powder meal (PPPM). During the 35-d feeding trial, broiler birds were fed six experimental diets: diet with 0% additives (negative control; NEGCON); diet with α-Tocopherol acetate at 200 g/tonne (positive control; POSCON); and four levels (2, 4, 6 and 8 g/kg) of PPPM, designated as PPPM2, PPPM4, PPPM6, and PPPM8. Breast muscle pH was determined 15mins and 24hrs postmortem. The breast muscles were then stored at 4 °C to determine shelf-life attributes (pH, colour, hue angle, and chroma) for 16 days. Meat from the 8 g/kg PPPM had the highest thawing loss, whereas cooking loss was lowest at 2 g/kg PPPM inclusion. The meat of birds fed 2 g/kg and 4 g/kg PPPM had the highest (P, Meat quality; antioxidant capacity; pomegranate peel; diets; free radicals; Food Quality; Nutrition; Animal Science; Agricultural Technology; Organic Farming

Rooibos (

The nutrient composition of Myrothamnus flabellifolius leaf tea extract (MLTE) and its protective effect against oxidative hepatic cell injury were evaluated. Gallic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, methyl gallate, and epicatechin were identified in MLTE by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The tea extract showed an appreciable nutritional content of proximate, sugar, vitamin E, monounsaturated fatty acids, omega 6 and 9 unsaturated fatty acids, as well as considerable amounts of various mineral elements. Nineteen amino acids were found. Moreover, MLTE exhibited potent in vitro antioxidant activities, presumably because of its richness in polyphenols (gallic acid and ferulic acid) and vitamin E. In Chang liver cells, pretreatment with MLTE suppressed oxidative lipid peroxidation (IC50 = 113.11 μg/ml) and GSH depletion (IC50 = 70.49 μg/ml) without causing cytotoxicity. These data support the local consumption of M. flabellifolius herbal tea, which may be used against oxidative stress-induced diseases while providing the body with necessary nutrients. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Herbal teas are one of the most consumed beverages in the world today, due to their refreshing taste and additional health benefits. Myrothamnus flabellifolius herbal tea is a widely used traditional herbal tea in Southern Africa with potentials for commercialization due to its pleasant flavor. This study, for the first time, reported the nutritional composition of the leaf decoction of M. flabellifolius and its protective effect on hepatic oxidative insults. These results can inform the dietary and nutritional use of the tea for optimum benefits, as well as provide preliminary scientific validation of the use of the herbal tea as an antioxidant beverage with good nutritional value.

Aspalathin, the main polyphenol of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), is associated with diverse health promoting properties of the tea. During fermentation, aspalathin is oxidized and concentrations are significantly reduced. Standardized methods for quality control of rooibos products do not investigate aspalathin, since current techniques of aspalathin detection require expensive equipment and expertise. Here, we describe a simple and fast thin-layer chromatography (TLC) method that can reproducibly visualize aspalathin in rooibos herbal tea and plant extracts at a limit of detection (LOD) equal to 178.7 ng and a limit of quantification (LOQ) equal to 541.6 ng. Aspalathin is a rare compound, so far only found in A. linearis and its (rare) sister species A. pendula. Therefore, aspalathin could serve as a marker compound for authentication and quality control of rooibos products, and the described TLC method represents a cost-effective approach for high-throughput screening of plant and herbal tea extracts.

Background: Rooibos types and forms and how prepared and flavoured influence the total polyphenol content and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Aim: To denote an optimal rooibos cup as having the highest total polyphenol content and TAC, considering the different types, forms, preparation methods and flavourings and amounts (Phase 1), and determine the demographic, lifestyle and rooibos consumption characteristics of adult rooibos consumers, and the association of these characteristics with drinking the optimal cup (Phase 2). Setting: Assays: Oxidative Stress Research Centre, Cape Peninsula University of Technology; Consumer survey: George area, South Africa. Method: Phase 1 entailed determining the total polyphenol content (Folin–Ciocalteau method) and TAC (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity and ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay) of the prepared rooibos samples. For Phase 2, a developed, pilot tested questionnaire was used to profile adult rooibos consumers. Results: Phase 1: the following samples delivered higher total polyphenol content and TAC: green (type), green leaves and powdered extract (forms), and sample steeped for 10 min or longer (preparation method). The identified optimal cup was sample steeped for 10 min or longer. Phase 2: a total of 308 respondents completed the questionnaire. Few consumed more than one rooibos cup per day (25.3%; n = 78) and the optimal cup (15.9%; n = 49). These latter respondents comprised those who steeped rooibos in a teapot (not a cup or mug) ( p < 0.05). Conclusions: The optimal cup was identified as sample steeped for 10 min or longer. The rooibos consumers did not consume it sufficiently, nor steeped it long enough.

This study examined the antioxidant status and quality of breast meat in broiler birds fed diets supplemented with pomegranate peel powder meal (PPPM). During the 35-d feeding trial, broiler birds were fed six experimental diets: diet with 0% additives (negative control; NEGCON); diet with α-Tocopherol acetate at 200 g/tonne (positive control; POSCON); and four levels (2, 4, 6 and 8 g/kg) of PPPM, designated as PPPM2, PPPM4, PPPM6, and PPPM8. Breast muscle pH was determined 15mins and 24hrs postmortem. The breast muscles were then stored at 4 °C to determine shelf-life attributes (pH, colour, hue angle, and chroma) for 16 days. Meat from the 8 g/kg PPPM had the highest thawing loss, whereas cooking loss was lowest at 2 g/kg PPPM inclusion. The meat of birds fed 2 g/kg and 4 g/kg PPPM had the highest (P

Leptospermum petersonii (family Myrtaceae) is often cultivated for ornamental purposes but also serves as a rich source of bioactive essential oils. While several studies focused on the activities of the essential oils, this study analysed the potential of spent L. petersonii leaves as a natural food preservative. Method: We investigated the in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of crude L. petersonii extracts against activities of the purified isolated flavonoid, 6-methyltectochrysin, which was characterized using spectroscopic methods. The antioxidant assays followed ORAC, FRAP and TEAC tests. The antimicrobial activities of the extract and purified flavonoid were analysed against six multi-drug resistant microbial strains in broth dilution assays. Result: The results revealed that both the crude extracts and isolated 6-methyltectochrysin exhibited positive radical ion scavenging antioxidant potential, however the crude extract was about 6-fold more potent antioxidant than the purified 6-methyltectochrysin. The crude extract also showed strong antimicrobial activities against Bacillus cereus, and even more potent antimicrobial agent than the reference ampicillin antibiotic against Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp. pneumoniae. A higher resistance was observed for the tested Gram-negative strains than for the Gram-positive ones. 6-methyltectochrysin was generally inactive in the antimicrobial assays. Conclusion: The crude methanolic extract showed significant bioactivity which validates the medicinal relevance of the plant. The observed biological activities, especially against a notorious strain of B. cereus, suggest that L. petersonii could be a promising natural source of food preservatives.

Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), widely known as a herbal tea, is endemic to the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa (SA). It produces a wide range of phenolic compounds that have been associated with diverse health promoting properties of the plant. The species comprises several growth forms that differ in their morphology and biochemical composition, only one of which is cultivated and used commercially. Here, we established methodologies for non-invasive transcriptome research of wild-growing South African plant species, including (1) harvesting and transport of plant material suitable for RNA sequencing, (2) inexpensive, high-throughput biochemical sample screening, (3) extraction of high-quality RNA from recalcitrant, polysaccharide- and polyphenol rich plant material, and (4) biocomputational analysis of Illumina sequencing data, together with the evaluation of programs for transcriptome assembly (Trinity, IDBA-Trans, SOAPdenovo-Trans, CLC), protein prediction, as well as functional and taxonomic transcript annotation. In the process, we established a biochemically characterized sample pool from 44 distinct rooibos ecotypes (1&ndash, 5 harvests) and generated four in-depth annotated transcriptomes (each comprising on average &asymp, 86,000 transcripts) from rooibos plants that represent distinct growth forms and differ in their biochemical profiles. These resources will serve future rooibos research and plant breeding endeavours.

The endophytic plant-fungi symbiotic relationship can be explored to improve cultivation of targeted medicinal plant species. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of the cultivation of chive (Allium schoenoprasum) in plant growth medium inoculated with the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales). Twelve replicates of chive seedlings were exposed to B. bassiana inoculum formulated at concentrations of 0, 1 × 105, 1 × 104 and 1 × 103 conidia mL−1 in a completely randomized design. We assessed plant growth parameters, such as leaf number and plant height weekly and root length, leaf and root fresh and dry weights and secondary metabolites three weeks post-fungal inoculation. The fungus was re-isolated from some of the leaves and roots of the treated plants suggesting that the fungus successfully colonized the plant tissue. Generally, the results indicated that the fungal inoculation had minimal effect on most of the growth parameters assessed in relation to the control. Remarkably, plants exposed to the fungus recorded greater (p < 0.05) total alkaloid, ranging from 2.98 – 3.76 mg atropine equivalent (AE)/g dry weight (DW) compared to the control plants (1.96 mg AE/g DW) for the leaves. This study demonstrated that endophytic fungi could be used to improve the yield of active chemical constituents in cultivated medicinal plants., Biotechnology; Microbiology; Plant biology; Endophytic fungus; Chives; Total alkaloids; Plant growth; Plant cultivation

Ten flavonoid-related structures viz. heliteretifolin (1), isoxanthohumol (2), 2',4',6'-trihydroxy-3'-prenylchalcone (3), isoglabranin (4), glabranin (5), 7-methoxy-isoglabranin (6), quercetin (7), 4'-methoxyquercetin (8), 4'-methoxykaempferol (9) and mosloflavone (10) were isolated from a H. teretifolium methanolic extract and identified. One of them (compound 1) is reported for the first time from a natural source, while compounds 6, 8–10 were isolated for the first time from the genus Helichrysum. The total extract of H. teretifolium showed potent antioxidant activity. When tested for total antioxidant capacity compound 3 possesses moderate biological activity compared to 2, which displayed some of the highest TEAC values (4529.01 ± 2.44, 4170.66 ± 6.72) µM TE/g, respectively. Compounds 7 and 8 demonstrated the highest inhibitory activities on Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation (IC50 = 2.931, 6.449 µg/mL), tyrosinase (8.092, 27.573) and elastase (43.342, 86.548). Additionally, the total antioxidant capacities measured as FRAP (4816.31 ± 7.42, 3584.17 ± 0.54) µM AAE/g, and ORAC for hydroxyl radical (7.265 ± 0.71, 6.779 ± 3.40) × 106 and peroxyl radical (17.836 ± 2.90, 12.545 ± 5.07) × 103 µM TE/g were also observed for compounds 7 and 8, respectively. In conclusion, H. teretifolium total extract represents a rich source of bioactive constituents with potent antioxidant and moderate anti-tyrosinase and anti-elastase activities that can help to avert accumulation of free radicals in the body, and could therefore be good candidates for the prevention and/or treatment of skin-related conditions, such as aging. This is the first scientific report on the chemical and biological profile of H. teretifolium.

Gethyllis multifolia is a South African bulbous geophyte with medicinal properties and on which very limited research has been conducted. This research investigated the effect of drought and shade, which are experienced in the natural habitat, on the antioxidant properties, as well as the isolation of natural compounds from certain plant parts. The total polyphenol, flavonol/flavone and flavanone contents, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and radical cation scavenging ability (ABTS) were measured in the leaves, bulbs and roots (dry weight) of G. multifolia under photo- and drought stress. A significantly higher total polyphenol content was observed in the roots under the photo - and drought stresses when compared to the control. When all the plant parts were compared, the highest total polyphenol content was observed in the drought-stressed roots of G. multifolia . An increased antioxidant capacity was observed in the root system of G. multifolia where the FRAP, ORAC and ABTS were found to be significantly higher during drought stress when compared to the control. Phytochemical investigation of the leaves, bulbs and roots of G. multifolia revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, phenolics, saponins, glycosides (phenolic and terpenoid) as well as essential oils, while the test for alkaloids was negative. Further in -depth studies on the roots of G. multifolia led to the isolation of three known flavonoids, of which one was also isolated as its endogenously acetylated derivative. Their structures were elucidated by chemical and spectroscopic methods as 2,3-dihydro-7-hydroxy-2-phenyl-4 H -1-benzopyran-4-one ( 1 ), (1-[2.4-dihydroxyphenyl]-3-phenylpropan-1-one) ( 2 ), 2,3-dihydro-5,7-dihydroxy-2-phenyl-4 H -1-benzopyran-4-one or pinocembrin ( 3 ) and 5,7-diacetoxy-2,3-dihydro-2-phenyl-4 H -1-benzopyran-4-one ( 4 ). This investigation indicated how environmental conditions can be manipulated to enhance the antioxidant properties of certain plant parts for future cultivation of this species and the isolation of the four natural compounds elucidated its medicinal potential and created a platform for future in vivo research.

This study investigated whether rooibos herbal tea Aspalathus linearis has an ergogenic effect during a fatiguing arm strength test to exhaustion. Thirty-two male participants were randomised in a single blinded, cross-over placebo controlled study in which they ingested standardised rooibos or placebo capsules for four weeks prior to a fatiguing elbow flexion/extension exercise test entailing five sets/bouts of 15 repetitions of maximum voluntary contractions separated by 10-second rest intervals on a Biodex System 3 at a speed of 60° per second. Peak torque flexion (Nm) was consistently higher in the rooibos experimental (Re) compared to the placebo control (Pc) across the five exercise bouts, and this performance trend during flexion was also seen in the total work (joules) completed, although not significant (P > 0.05). It appears that the antioxidant properties of rooibos, may have contributed to an improvement in physical performance during a maximal isokinetic arm exercise protocol to induce fatigue.

The antioxidant capacity of commonly consumed South African foods was determined using the fluorescein (FL)-based oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORACFL) assay. The hydrophilic (H)-ORACFL of these foods ranged from 15 to 4202 μmole Trolox equivalents (TE)/100 g, and the lipophilic (L)-ORACFL from 11 to 109 μmole TE/100 g. The L-ORACFL of all the items analyzed contributed less than 5% of the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), except for sunflower oil (42%). Cultivar and seasonal availability influenced the H-ORACFL of some, but not all, fruits. The Golden Delicious apple cultivar has a lower (P

Bioactive polyphenolics are ubiquitously present in plants and may play an important role in the prevention and management of certain human diseases. Three known flavonoids viz Kaemperol-3-O-rutinoside (1), quercetin-3-O-glucoside (2) and kaemperol-3-O-glucoside (3) and inseparable mixture (1:1) of quercetin-3-O-glucose/galactose (4) were isolated, and identified for the first time from Holarrhena floribunda. The antioxidant capacity using the ORAC, FRAP and TEAC assays and inhibition of lipid peroxidation were measured for isolated flavonoids. The result showed that compounds 2 and 4 showed significantly increased ORAC, TEAC, and FRAP activities with low pro-oxidant potential as well as improved lipid peroxidation inhibition levels when compared to compounds 1 and 3. The most active compounds were found to be flavonoids with a quercetin basic structure. These results imply that the isolated flavonoid glycosides are responsible for the antioxidant activity of the plant leaves and it forms the scientific basis for its traditional usage.

In accordance with national and international regulatory standards, namely ISO/IEC 17025, the validation of chromatography methods is becoming necessary. This study provides an optimized and fully validated reversephase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) assay with ultra-violet (UV) detection for the measurement of L-ascorbic acid (L-AA) in fruit, vegetable and food products. Several commercial fruit juices and teas, fresh fruit and vegetables and food extract products were analyzed using a high performance liquid chromatographic system with UV detection. Chromatographic separation of L-AA was achieved on a reverse phase C18 150 mm×4.6 mm, 0.5 μm column with UV detection of 245 nm at room temperature. Distilled water/acetonitrile/formic acid (99: 0.9: 0.1, v/v/v) at a flow rate of 1 mLmin-1 was used as the mobile phase, in isocratic mode. Samples were extracted in 4.5% metaphosphoric acid solution and filtered through a 0.45 μm membrane. The method was validated for accuracy, precision, linearity, range, limit of detection, limit of quantification, specificity, stability, robustness and system suitability in accordance with ISO 17025 validation requirements. Validation results demonstrated a linear response within a range of 5 to 125 μg/mL with a correlation coefficient of 0.999 was obtained. Mean recoveries ranged from 99 to 103% and 92 to 96% for L-AA standards and samples, respectively. The method was found to be precise (COV’s

Rooibos, a unique South African herbal tea, is known to be an important source of unique polyphenolic compounds. In the present study we have quantified the main polyphenolic compounds in both fermented/traditional and unfermented/"green" rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) and evaluated its cardioprotective effects against ischaemia/reperfusion injury. Male Wistar rats consumed aqueous rooibos and green tea (Camellia sinensis) extracts (2%, w/v) for 7 weeks before their hearts were rapidly excised and perfused in a working heart perfusion apparatus. The results showed that the rooibos supplemented hearts significantly improved aortic output recovery after reperfusion when compared to the green tea supplemented hearts. Additionally, we showed that the rooibos extracts, containing the highest amount of flavonols, significantly decreased the level of cleaved caspase-3 and PARP, both pro-apoptotic proteins, during reperfusion when compared to green tea. Green tea supplementation increased phosphorylation of total PKB/Akt, Akt (threonine 308) and Akt (serine 473). The rooibos extracts did not cause significant change in the levels of the pro-survival PKB/Akt (threonine 308 and serinet 473). The GSH/GSSG ratio in the hearts of the green tea supplemented group was significantly (p

The possible mechanism of photoprotection by polyphenolic extracts of honeybush and the two most abundant polyphenols found in honeybush, hesperidin and mangiferin were determined using a mouse model. Ethanol: acetone soluble extracts and pure honeybush compounds were applied topically to the skin of SKH-1 mice before daily exposures to ultraviolet B (UVB) (180 mJ/cm²) for 10 days. The honeybush extracts reduced signs of sunburn, such as erythema, peeling and hardening of the skin and also significantly (P < 0.05) reduced edema, epidermal hyperplasia and the induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), GADD45 and OGG1/2 expression. The fermented honeybush extract significantly (P < 0.05) reduced lipid peroxidation and depletion of the antioxidant enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase. Hesperidin and mangiferin were less effective. These results show that extracts of honeybush and to some extent, hesperidin and mangiferin, renders protection against UVB-induced skin damage. The mechanisms investigated suggest that honeybush extracts protected the skin via modulation of induced-oxidative damage, inflammation and cell proliferation. Other specific biological properties such as modulation of signaling pathways could also be involved.

The antioxidant contents (beta-carotene, chlorogenic acid, and vitamin C) as well as the antioxidant capacity (ORAC, FRAP, and ABTS) of 4 sweetpotato varieties were measured in this study. The sweetpotato varieties were cultivated under different water regimes and also subjected to thermal processing. The results show that the 2 orange-fleshed varieties (Resisto and W-119) contain significant more beta-carotene, chlorogenic acid, and vitamin C than the 2 cream-fleshed varieties (Bosbok and Ndou). Thermal processing decreased the carotenoid and vitamin C content of all the varieties but increased the chlorogenic acid content and antioxidant capacity. Drought stress appears to increase the beta-carotene, vitamin C, and chlorogenic acid contents as well as the antioxidant capacity of some of the sweetpotato varieties, especially W-119.

Objective: In this exploratory study, the average adult South African dietary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was estimated using secondarydata and was evaluated against that determined for dietary intake recommendations. Design: The average adult South African dietary TAC was estimated using a report published by the Department of Health that summarises food consumption studies conducted in South Africa between 1983 and 2000. This estimated adult South African dietary TAC was evaluated against that determined for dietary intake recommendations incorporating the five-a-day concept and the basic food groups and beverages (tea and coffee). Results: The average adult South African dietary TAC was estimated as 11 433 micromoles (μmoles) Trolox equivalents (TE)/person/day, with beverages (tea) being the main contributor (38.5%). The dietary TAC based on the recommended five-a-day concept and other dietary intake recommendations was 20 513 μmoles TE/person/day, with beverages again being the main contributor (47.8%). Conclusions: Compared to the TAC of the five-a-day concept and other dietary intake recommendations, the South African population consumes about half of this estimated TAC per day. It is especially in the vegetable group and beverages where actual consumption is well below the coupled TAC. Grains are the only food group where consumption is above the coupled TAC. The five-a-day concept is only the aim for minimum intake and not the ultimate goal. An increase in these foods, along with beverages (tea) and whole grains to the recommended servings, can uphold the dietary TAC and health benefits.Keywords: dietary TAC; ORAC; 5-A-day; food groups; plant foods; beverages

In South Africa, the plant Aspalathus linearis (Brum.f) Dahlg. (Fabaceae) is traditionally used as a "tea" referred to as rooibos or redbush. This plant has been listed as a medicinal plant based mostly on anecdotal evidence.Despite a long history of traditional use in South Africa, very little scientific data are available from controlled clinical trials confirming its popular use. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of rooibos on biochemical and oxidative stress parameters in adults at risk for cardiovascular disease.After a washout period of 2 weeks, 40 volunteers consumed six cups of fermented/traditional rooibos daily for 6 weeks, followed by a control period. Blood biochemical parameters indicative of antioxidant activity and content (total polyphenols), lipid peroxidation (conjugated dienes - CDs, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances - TBARS), redox status (total glutathione - tGSH, ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione - GSH:GSSG), lipid profile (total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein - LDL and high density lipoprotein - HDL cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels) and liver and kidney function were measured at the end of each study period.Plasma antioxidant capacity was not altered, but plasma total polyphenol levels increased significantly after rooibos consumption compared with the control levels (from 79.8±16.9 mg/L to 89.8±14.1 mg/L). Significant decreases in plasma markers of lipid peroxidation were found after rooibos consumption, as reported by levels of CDs (167.3±29.5 nmol/mL vs. 108.8±20.1 nmol/mL) and TBARS (1.9±0.6 μmol/L vs. 0.9±0.3 μmol/L). Reduced glutathione (797±238 μmol/L vs. 1082±140 μmol/L) and the GSH:GSSG ratio (41±14 vs. 76±17) were both significantly increased after consumption of rooibos. The lipid profiles showed that rooibos consumption, compared with the control values, significantly decreased serum LDL-cholesterol (4.6±1.3 mmol/L vs. 3.9±0.7 mmol/L) and triacylglycerols (1.7±0.8 mmol/L vs. 1.2±0.7 mmol/L), while HDL-cholesterol (0.9±0.1 mmol/L vs. 1.2±0.2 mmol/L) was significantly increased.Confirming its popular use, consumption of fermented, traditional rooibos significantly improved the lipid profile as well as redox status, both relevant to heart disease, in adults at risk for developing cardiovascular disease.