Production and Characterization Of Sumac Plantcrystals: Influence of High-Pressure Homogenization on Antioxidant Activity of Sumac (Rhus Coriaria L.)

Abstract · Background: Oxidative stress diseases are usually treated or prevented by using antioxidants from natural or artificial sources. However, as a sustainable source of phytochemicals, plants got a renewed interest in obtaining their active agents using green technologies. Green chemistry is the ability to obtain commercially viable products with desirable properties from widely available renewable sources using eco-friendly methods. The high-pressure homogenization (HPH) technique was introduced into the food industry since it was invented in 1900 to homogenize milk and later to produce fruit juices with a longer shelf-life without preservatives. Recently, HPH was introduced as an eco-friendly method to nano mill plants for improved extraction efficacy without using organic solvents. ·Results: In this study, sumac was used as an antioxidants-rich spice model to investigate the effects of HPH on its antioxidant capacity (AOC). Sumac was rendered into PlantCrystals by using HPH. Particle size characterization proved the presence of submicron-sized particles (about 750 nm). Thus, HPH was able to produce sumac PlantCrystals and increase the AOC of bulk sumac by more than 500% according to the ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) assay. The polyphenol and flavonoid contents showed higher values after HPH. Interestingly, the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) assay also showed a well improved AOC (similar to ascorbic acid) after HPH. · Conclusion: In fact, in this study, the great potential of the green PlantCrystal-technology could be demonstrated.