Avenanthramide

Avenanthramides are a type of oat phytoalexins that exist predominantly in the groats of oat seeds. [ [http://www.aaccnet.org/FuncFood/pdfs/1006-01R.pdf Emmons, C. L. & Peterson, D. M. (1999) Antioxidant activity and phenolic contents of oat groats and hulls. Cereal Chem. 76:902-906.] ]

Among a group of at least 25 avenanthramides [ [http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/searchRedirect.cgi/jafcau/1989/37/i01/pdf/jf00085a015.pdf 2. Collins, F. W. (1989) Oat phenolics: avenanthramides, novel substituted N-cinnamoylanthranilate alkaloids from oat groats and hulls. J. Agric. Food Chem. 37:60-66.] ] that differ in the substituents on the cinnamic acid and anthranilic acid rings, three are predominant in oat grain: Bc (also called avenanthramide C), Bf (also called avenanthramide B) and Bp (also called avenanthramide A).

In vitro experiments indicate that they have significant antioxidant activities, with Bc > Bf > Bp. [ [http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?seq_no_115=129118 Peterson D.M.1; Hahn M.J.; Emmons C.L.(2002) Oat Avenanthramides Exhibit Antioxidant Activities In Vitro. Food Chem. 79:4:473-478] ] In human and animal tests, this antioxidant capacity provides health benefits ranging from reduced rate of LDL oxidation [ [http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/full/134/6/1459 Chen, C.Y & Blumberg , J. B. (2004) Vitamin C to Enhance Hamster and Human LDL Resistance to Oxidation J. Nutr. 134:1459-1466] ] to protecting against cancers and heart disease. [Bailey, G.S. & Williams, D.E.(1993) Potential Mechanisms for Food-Related Carcinogens and Anticarcinogens. Food Technol. 47:105-118]

Notes