Phenolic compounds in foods have been associated with reduced incidencesof heart disease by actingas antioxidants for low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Commercialprune and prune juice extracts(
Prunus domestica cv. French
) wereanalyzed for phenolics by reversed phase HPLC with diodearray detection and tested for the ability to inhibit theCu
2+-catalyzed oxidation of human LDL.The mean concentrations of phenolics were 1840 mg/kg, 1397 mg/kg,and 441 mg/L in pitted
prunes,extra large
prunes with pits, and prune juice, respectively.Hydroxycinnamates, especiallyneochlorogenic acid, and chlorogenic acid predominated, and thesecompounds, as well as the pruneand prune juice extracts, inhibited the oxidation of LDL. Thepitted prune extract inhibited LDLoxidation by 24, 82, and 98% at 5, 10, and 20
M gallic acidequivalents (GAE). The prune juiceextract inhibited LDL oxidation by 3, 62, and 97% at 5, 10, and 20
M GAE. These data indicatethat
prunes and prune juice may provide a source of dietaryantioxidants.Keywords: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL); antioxidants; phenolics;neochlorogenic acid; prune;plum; Prunus domestica
