Search

Background Cyperus esculentus oil is also known as the new health care oil. This study aimed to analyse the fatty acid profile and content of C. esculentus oil by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and to assess the antioxidant activity of C. esculentus oil. These properties were evaluated based on the reducing power, hydroxyl radical and diphenyl picryl hydrazyl radical scavenging, and a combination of in vitro and in vivo antioxidant experiments. Results Composition analyses showed that C. esculentus oil contained more than 800 g kg−1 unsaturated fatty acid, of which oleic acid accounted for 691.4 g kg−1, linoleic acid accounted for 107.0 g kg−1 and palmitic acid accounted for 158.0 g kg−1. In vitro results showed that the total antioxidant activity and the scavenging capacity of hydroxyl radicals and diphenyl picryl hydrazyl radicals increased with increasing concentration. The in vitro antioxidant ability increased as the concentration of C. esculentus oil, with 15 mL kg−1 BW day−1 being established as the optimal dose. Conclusion Taken together, the results of this study clearly indicate that C. esculentus oil has good antioxidant properties. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry

The chemical composition, morphological characteristics, and pasting properties of Cyperus esculentus starch (CES) grown in Xinjiang, China, were investigated and compared with those of potato starch (PS). The amylopectin (AP) content in CES was measured as of 83.82%. Most of the starch granules of Cyperus esculentus (CE) were round or elliptical while the granule diameter ranged from 3.41 to 12.12 µm with an average value of 8.60 µm, and had a typical polarization cross. The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) data showed that CES was of A‐type crystals. The peak viscosity value of CES paste was much lower than that of PS, and the freeze–thaw stability of CES paste was slightly higher than that of PS, but its light transmittance was lower.

Cyperus esculentus oil is also known as the new health care oil. This study aimed to analyse the fatty acid profile and content of C. esculentus oil by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and to assess the antioxidant activity of C. esculentus oil. These properties were evaluated based on the reducing power, hydroxyl radical and diphenyl picryl hydrazyl radical scavenging, and a combination of in vitro and in vivo antioxidant experiments.Composition analyses showed that C. esculentus oil contained more than 800 g kg(-1) unsaturated fatty acid, of which oleic acid accounted for 691.4 g kg(-1), linoleic acid accounted for 107.0 g kg(-1) and palmitic acid accounted for 158.0 g kg(-1). In vitro results showed that the total antioxidant activity and the scavenging capacity of hydroxyl radicals and diphenyl picryl hydrazyl radicals increased with increasing concentration. The in vitro antioxidant ability increased as the concentration of C. esculentus oil, with 15 mL kg(-1) BW day(-1) being established as the optimal dose.Taken together, the results of this study clearly indicate that C. esculentus oil has good antioxidant properties.