Lee, YRi; Nho, JinWoo; Hwang, InGuk; Kim, WJu; Lee, YuJin; Jeong, HS
This study investigated change in the chemical components and antioxidant activity of ramie (Boehmeria nivea) leaves (RL) for the development of functional foods. Proximate compositions of protein, crude ash, and crude fat were 24.49, 11.41, and 4.89%, respectively. Contents of minerals of calcium (Ca), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and iron (Fe) were 1,874, 1,433, 362, and 16mg/100g, respectively. alpha, beta, and gamma-Tocopherol contents were 9.79, 0.18, and 1.44mg/100g, respectively. Linoleic and linolenic acid contents were higher than those of palmatic and stearic acid. Total phenolic and flavonoids contents showed the high level of 149 and 49 mg/g. The IC50 values of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl, and superoxide radical scavenging of RL extracts were 688, 424, and 596 mu g/mL, respectively, while the radical scavenging values by butylated hydroxylanisole (BHA) were 92, 58, and 98 mu g/mL, respectively. Thus, R-L has the potential to be used as a healthy and functional food ingredient.