FT-IR Profile and Antiradical Activity of Dehulled Kernels of Apricot, Almond and Pumpkin.

The objective of this study was to evaluate antiradical activities of methanol and 50% aqueous methanol extracts of dehulled kernels of almond, apricot and pumpkin. All the extracts showed 2,2-diphenyl-1picryhydrazyl, superoxide anion, and nitric oxide radicals scavenging activities. The activities of the methanol extracts were higher than 50% aqueous-methanol extracts. HPLC analysis of the extracts shows the presence caffeic acid and vanillic acid in apricot extracts but not in almond extracts. Vanillic acid was detected in the extracts of pumpkin seed but caffeic acid was not detected. Infrared profiles of dehulled kernel samples showed hydroxyl, aromatic and carboxylic esteric groups.