Evaluation of Reducing Ability and Antioxidant Activity of Fruit Pomace Extracts by Spectrophotometric and Electrochemical Methods

The component profiles of apricot, grape, and black currant pomace extracts have been analyzed using HPLC coupled to diode-array detection and tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MS). The predominant components in grape, apricot, and black currant pomace extracts were phenolic acids and flavonols. The redox behavior of apricot, black currant, and grape pomace water extracts was evaluated by means of cyclic voltammetry. Also, individual substances mainly present in the extracts were analyzed. The results of electrochemical testing were compared to traditional chemical techniques of potassium ferricyanide reduction (FRAP) and phosphomolybdenum assay, and fair agreement was established. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assays were applied in order to estimate antioxidant activity. The reducing power of the grape extract was found to be higher than that of the apricot and black currant extracts in both potassium ferricyanide reduction (FRAP) and phosphomolybdenum methods.