A review of the antioxidant compounds of plant sources in Iran

Subject Areas : Shelf Life of Food Products and Agricultural Productions

seyyed moein nazari ¹ , mohammad maleki ²

1 - Department of Food Science and technology/Hamadan Branch/ Islamic Azad University/ Hamadan/ Iran
2 - Department of food science and technology, Hamadan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Hamadan, Iran

Received: 2023-08-09 Accepted : 2023-09-10 Published : 2024-02-03

Keywords: natural antioxidants, phenolic compounds, Oxidation, Free radical,

Abstract :

Antioxidants are compounds that delay oxidation in low concentrations. They are divided into two categories: natural and synthetic. The most used antioxidant groups in the food industry are synthetic phenolic antioxidants BHA, BHT, TBHQ and PG. These antioxidants are volatile and sensitive to heat and are not favorable for food stability, on the other hand, their use threatens human health. For this reason, today scientists and researchers are trying to find natural compounds with antioxidant properties to replace natural antioxidants with synthetic antioxidants or to reduce their consumption. The results of the studies showed that plants are a rich source of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins and other antioxidant compounds, which are the most important natural antioxidants.Nowadays, a wide group of plants and their extracts are considered as natural sources with antioxidant properties. The studies of carried out in Iran shows that edible and medicinal plants and their derivatives (essential oils, plant extracts) are widely used to prevent oxidative spoilage of food due to their strong and diverse antioxidant compounds. Among these, we can mention olive leaves, saffron petals, oregano, Froriepia subpinnata, Malva Sylvestris, Ferulago angulate, basil, hortensisj Sature, Salvia officinalis, turmeric, fennel, nettle, and black raspberry. Also, Dorema Aucheri, thyme, cinnamon and pomegranate peel have medicinal and therapeutic properties. Heizah grass plant is recommended as a health-giving and stabilizing combination of oils due to its easy access and cost-effectiveness in Iran.