Bioaccessibility of phenolics from carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) pod powder prepared by cryogenic and vibratory grinding

Carob pod powder prepared by cryogenic (CG) and vibratory grinding for 4 min (VG-4) and 8 min (VG-8) was evaluated for its antioxidant properties, and phenolic content. The bioaccessibility of phenolics was determined after the oral, gastric, and intestinal digestion phases in vitro. CG carob powder had a higher total phenolic content (6.46 mg gallic acid/g) and antioxidant capacities in terms of DPPH (15.60 mg Trolox/g) and ABTS (28.58 mg Trolox/g) assays. Quercitrin (44.54-64.68 mu g/g) and cinnamic acid (27.48-31.40 mu g/g) were the most abundant phenolics in all carob powder samples determined by liquid chromatography. The bioaccessibility of only ferulic acid (108%) had increased after digestion of the CG carob powder. Vibratory grinding (VG-4 and VG8) improved the bioaccessibility of cinnamic acid (86-87%), vanillic acid (87-95%), quercitrin (33-34%), and naringenin (19-22%). A better bioaccessibility of phenolic constituents was observed for vibratory ground carob powder.

Automated summary

This study compared the antioxidant properties and phenolic content of carob pod powder prepared by different grinding methods. The results showed that vibratory grinding improved the bioaccessibility of phenolic constituents in carob powder.