Antioxidant and radical scavenging activities of polyphenols from apple pomace

The antioxidant properties of apple polyphenols were evaluated using the be ta-carotene/linoleic acid system, DPPH radical and superoxide scavenging ac tivities. The polyphenols examined were epicatechin, its dimer (procyanidin B2), trimer, tetramer and oligomer, quercetin glycosides, chlorogenic acid , phloridzin and 3-hydroxy-phloridzin. All the compounds showed strong anti oxidant activities, and their DPPH-scavenging activities were 2-3 times and superoxide anion radical-scavenging activities were 10-30 times better tha n those of the antioxidant vitamins C and E. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.