ANTIOXIDANT AND CYTOTOXIC ACTIVITIES OF BEETROOT POMACE EXTRACT
Sonja Djilas, Tatjana Cebovic, Jelena Vulic, Jasna Canadanovic-Brunet, Gordana Cetkovic,
Vesna Tumbas and Sladjana Savatovic
Organic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Technology Novi Sad, University of Novi Sad, Serbia
Abstract:
The beetroot pomace, waste product generated primarily during juice processing is also promising source of bioactive
compounds (polyphenolic compounds, carotenoids, betalains, vitamins, minerals) which could be used as functional
ingredients with antioxidant, antiinflammatory, hepatoprotective, and antitumor properties.
The total phenolic content (45.68 mg GAE/g) was determined according to the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Antioxidant
activity of the beetroot pomace extract (BPE) against superoxide anion radicals was evaluated by electron spin
resonance (ESR) spectroscopy and the IC50 value was 1.0625 mg/ml. The BPE exhibits cytotoxic properties against
Ehrlich carcinoma (EAC) cells in vivo due to the induction of oxidative stress. The largest decreases in EAC cell
numbers were observed in pre-treated male (approximately 53% ) and female (approximately 47% ) mice and also EAC
cell viability was decreased after administration of the BPE. Together, these observations suggest that pretreatment with
the extract interferes with the establishment of tumour growth more significantly than when it is administered
simultaneously with the tumour cells implantation. The activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, Px) were significantly
different between the untreated EAC control group and all groups that were treated with BPE. SOD and Px activities
were very low in untreated malignant cells, but increased significantly after administration of the extract.
