Abstract:

Objective: To assess the ability of β-cryptoxanthin from the calyx of Physalisalkengi L. var. franchetii (Mast.) Makino to quench in vitro singlet oxygen. Methods: β-cryptoxanthin eater was extracted from the calyx of Physalisalkengi L. var. franchetii (Mast.) Makino with n-hexane and then saponified to produce β-cryptoxanthin fraction. The fraction was identified and quantified on C18-HPLC-PDA. Based on the reaction between NaClO and H2O2, singlet oxygen was produced. Singlet oxygen quenching ability of the β-cryptoxanthin fraction was determined on ultra-weak luminescience analyzer. Results: By C18-HPLCPDA, the prepared fraction was identified as β-cryptoxanthin. The data from ultra-weak luminescience analyzer suggested that the β-cryptoxanthin fraction was able to reduce the maximum number of photon generated from the reaction solution in positive correlation with its amount. β-Cryptoxanthin with an amount ranging between 0.049 g/L and 0.49 g/L resulted in a 50% reduction of maximum photon number.

Key words: calyx, β-cryptoxanthin, singlet-oxygen