The aim of this work was to examine the polyphenol content in Castanea sativa leaf extracts and to determine their antioxidant and antigenotoxic effect. The antioxidant activity of extracts and main components were determined by the application of spectophotometric and electronic spin resonance methods of capturing DPPH, superoxide and hydroxyl radical. The antigenotoxic effect was evaluated with genotoxic mycotoxins – aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ochratoxin A (OTA). Castanea leaf extract contained 6.74% of total polyphenols. Castanea extract was the richest in tannins and flavonoids (gallic and ellagic acid derivatives). Castanea leaf extract showed the ability to neutralize DPPH radicals (IC50 = 1.87 μg/mL). Similar results were also identified by testing the capture of hydroxyl and superoxide radicals. The strong antioxidant activity of the dominant components, that indicate phenolic acids as the ingredients that contribute the most to the antioxidant and antigenotoxic effect of castanea leaf extract, was also found. Genotoxic suppression of AFB1 and OTA was established by a comet test, establishing a significant reduction in tail, tail intensity and tail torque in leukocytes co-treated with mycotoxins and different concentrations of extracts. Our findings emphasize the potential of C. sativa to prevent genotoxics and also its antioxidant effects.

Huska Jukić, Ivan Kosalec, Maja Šegvić Klarić, Nevenka Kopjar, Višnja Bačun-Družina, Ksenija Durgo, Draženka Komes. Antioxidant and antigenotoxic effects of Castanea sativa leaf extracts against aflatoxin B₁ and ochratoxin A. Croatian Journal of Food Science and Technology (2024) 16 (1) 144-161

antioxidant activity, comet assay, Castanea sativa, genotoxicity, polyphenols

Extracts of the plant species Castanea sativa showed good antioxidant and antigenotoxic properties to the mycotoxins aflatoxin B₁ and ochratoxin A. These results are of exceptional importance because they suggest the possibility that based on tests of the antioxidant potential of individual compounds or complex extracts, in addition to the potential protective effect towards slowing down autoxidation changes in treated food, their eventual antigenotoxic activity can also be predicted.