Evaluation of the antiradical potential of fruit and vegetable snacks.

BACKGROUND: The use of plant origin polyphenols as food ingredients, supplements or antioxidants is very promising as a future trend for human health and food stability. Free radical activity, responsible for human ageing and food deterioration could be delayed by the use of antioxidants present in fruit and vegetables. The aim of the present research was to evaluate and compare the antiradical activity of selected fruits and vegetable snacks as a new promising kind of functional foods. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the present study, seven commercial plant food snacks were analysed for the total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity evaluated according to the DPPH(•) and ABTS(•+) radical scavenging methods. RESULTS: The highest total polyphenol content was evaluated in chokeberry and blackcurrant chips extracts, apple chips contained significantly lower amount among all snacks. Chokeberry extract exhibited the highest antiradical activity when determined by the DPPH(•) and ABTS(•+) radical scavenging methods, while the apple and carrot chips extracts showed the lowest antiradical activity. DPPH(•) and ABTS(•+) gave comparable results and were highly correlated (r = 0.83, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Results obtained indicate that selection of plant matrices for snack production would be very important for consumer's health, as they are potential sources of dietary antioxidants.