Antioxidant compounds from coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) etheric extract

Five fractions (beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin epoxide, lutein-5,6-epoxide, violaxanthin and neoxanthin) were isolated from a coriander ether extract using column chromatography and identified according to their chromatographic and spectral characteristics. No significant differences were noted with regard to their antioxidant properties using the beta-carotene/linoleic acid model, however they were inferior to the BHT and the crude etheric extract. The beta-carotene component represented 61.14% of the carotenoids detected in the extract suggesting that it is a principal component in coriander antioxidant action. The greater antioxidant effect of the crude extract compared to its component fractions suggests a synergistic action between the carotenoids. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.