In search of the EC60: the case study of bee pollen, Quercus ilex honey, and saffron.

The aim of this, comparative in nature, study was to investigate the in vitro antioxidant activity of bee pollen, Quercus ilex honey, and saffron on the basis of the effective concentration of phytochemicals/antioxidants that could inhibit the DPPH free radical by 60% (EC60), using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) assay, in combination with regression analysis. Aqueous, ethanolic, and methanolic extracts of the aforementioned matrices of different concentrations were subjected to analysis. Results showed that the effective concentration of phytochemicals/antioxidants found in bee pollen, Quercus ilex honey and saffron could inhibit the DPPH free radical by 60% (EC60). The respective order of the significantly different (p < 0.05) antioxidant power was: Bee pollen > saffron > Quercus ilex honey. Results were further evaluated using standard gallic acid and quercetin. The use of a new index for the expression of the in vitro antioxidant power of natural products/foods may be of great importance for different bodies, concerning the producers, traders, consumers, and may be the solid basis for the development of numerous in vivo studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]