Abstract:

Morchella angusticepes Peck was subjected to in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Changes in
polyphenol content and antioxidant activity in terms of oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC) were determined during
the digestion process. The anti-proliferative activity and cytotoxicity of digests were measured in HepG2 cells and Caco-2
cells as a function of digestion time. Antioxidant activity was evaluated as well by cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) assay
in HepG2 cells. The results showed that after the gastrointestinal digestion, polyphenol content and ORAC were increased
significantly. Polyphenol release reached the maximum level and then remained stable after 1 h gastric digestion and 0.5 h
intestinal digestion, respectively. The percentage inhibition of HepG2 cells by Morchella angusticepes Peck and its 1 h
gastric and 0.5 h intestinal digests were 41%, 45% and 91%, respectively, and the percentage inhibition of Caco-2 cells
were 73%, 96% and 90%, respectively. The gastric digests showed pro-oxidant effect, whereas the intestinal digests showed
antioxidant capacity. The CAA value of the 0.5 h intestinal digest was (70.506 ± 0.011) μmol QE/100 g md. In conclusion,
in vitro digestion of Morchella angusticepes Peck showed anti-proliferation and cellular antioxidant activity, which could
provide a theoretical basis for further development and utilization of Morchella angusticepes Peck.

Key words: Morchella angusticepes Peck, simulated digestion, polyphenols, oxygen radical absorbance capacity, cellular antioxidant activity