Tetrahydro-β-carboline alkaloids occur in fruits and fruit juices.: Activity as antioxidants and radical scavengers

Tetrahydro-beta-carbolines are biologically active alkaloids that occur and accumulate in mammalian tissues, fluids, and brain, but their ultimate origin or biological role is still uncertain. Four tetrahydro-beta-carboline alkaloids:1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acid, 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acid, 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline, and 6-hydroxy-1 -methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline, are found as naturally occurring substances in some fruit and fruit juices. These compounds occur in the mug/g level in those products, and a characteristic and distinct profile appears to exist depending on the type of fruit and juice involved. Thus, 1 -methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline may appear in tomato, tomato juice, and kiwi; 6-hydroxy-1 - m ethyl - 1, 2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline in bananas, pineapple, tomato, and their corresponding juices; and 1-methyl-1,2,3,tetrahydro-beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acid in oranges and grapefruits, although it also occurred in most juices. Fruit-occurring tetrahydro-P-carboline alkaloids acted as antioxidants and free radical scavengers in the ABTS assay when compared with ascorbic acid and Trolox. This suggests that tetra hydro-beta-carboline alkaloids might act as antioxidants when absorbed and accumulated in the body, contributing to the antioxidant effect of fruit products containing these compounds.