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London:
A new natural antioxidant synthesised by tomato plants is 14 times
as potent as resveratrol, the wonder compound and antioxidant in
red wine, which delays ageing.
Antioxidants have beneficial health properties, such as helping to
prevent coronary heart disease and cancer. Therefore, the compound
could have major applications in the pharmaceutical industry.
Researchers from the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMCP)
in Spain have identified the compound, which was completely
unknown until now, reports the journal Environmental and
Experimental Botany.
IBMCP researchers point out that the antioxidant is also 4.5 times
more potent than vitamin E and 10 times more potent than vitamin
C.
"Many phenolic compounds are produced by plants in response to
biotic or abiotic stress. These compounds have multiple effects,
including antioxidant activity," IBMCP director Vicente Conejero
said.
Biotic stress occurs as a result of damage done to plants by other
living organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites,
beneficial and harmful insects or experimentally, according to an
IBMCP statement.
This substance could have multiple applications. For example, in
the food industry it could be used as a preservative in food for
human consumption.
In the cosmetic industry it could be used in products for skin
care, given its possible properties related to the prevention of
ageing.
This powerful antioxidant would prevent changes such as fats and
oils becoming rancid, which diminishes food quality extremely. It
could also be used as a supplement to functional products.
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